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Table Talk 101 · How to Play Spades
What Is Bidding?
A regular bid is your estimate of how many books your hand can win.
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Written steps
- 1
Count likely winners
Look at high cards, suit lengths, and how your spades compare with the higher spades still out. A promising card is not always a guaranteed book.
- 2
Add the regular bids
If you bid three and your partner bids two, your team target is five. Your combined books need to reach that target.
- 3
Understand the commitment
A team that falls short is set under the chosen scoring rules. Nil is a separate zero-book commitment, so do not treat it as an ordinary positive bid.
Try it at your table
Explain what your team needs after bids of three and two.
Quick check
Three plus two sets what team target?
At least five books.