Table Talk 101 · How to Play Spades
What Is Spades?
Spades is a partnership card game: estimate the books you can win, then play to make that promise.
0:14 · captions on · tap the speaker for sound, it stays on for the next lessons
Written steps
- 1
Four players, two teams
Partners sit opposite one another. In the standard 52-card game, each player gets thirteen cards and a hand contains thirteen books.
- 2
Bid, then play
Each player estimates their winners. Regular partner bids combine into a team target. Follow the suit led when you can; in the standard game any spade beats the other suits.
- 3
Keep the score moving
Meet your team’s bid to score under the table’s rules. Nil, bags, and special card rankings can change the calculation. Play toward the chosen score target.
Try it at your table
Identify your partner and explain the team target before playing.
Quick check
How many teams are at a standard table?
Two teams of two players.