Play Spades Online — Free Card Game
Spades is the partnership trick-taking game where you and your partner bid the number of tricks you'll win — then have to deliver. Spades are always trump. Bid boldly, watch your bags, and race to 500. Play Spades free with a computer partner in your browser.
How to Play Spades
Four players in two partnerships each bid how many tricks they expect to take, then play to make the team's combined bid. Spades are trump and can't be led until they've been 'broken'.
- Follow the led suit if you can; otherwise play anything, including a trump.
- A trick is won by the highest spade, or by the highest card of the led suit if no spade was played.
- Make your team's combined bid for 10 points per trick bid; each extra trick (a 'bag') is +1.
- Ten accumulated bags cost you 100 points. Miss your bid and you lose 10 per trick bid.
Nil bids
Bid Nil to promise zero tricks — succeed for +100, fail for −100 — while your partner still plays their own bid.
Strategy & Tips
- Count your sure winners before bidding — high spades and Aces are reliable tricks.
- Avoid overbidding; a missed bid usually costs more than a couple of bags.
- Watch your bag count — sandbagging into a −100 penalty can lose a game.
- Support a partner's Nil by taking tricks they can't and covering their high cards.
- Keep a low spade or two to win late tricks once trumps are broken.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the goal of Spades?
Be the first partnership to reach 500 points by bidding and winning the tricks you promise.
What is a Nil bid?
A bid of zero tricks. Take none and you earn +100; take any and you lose 100. Your partner still plays for their own bid.
What are bags in Spades?
Overtricks — tricks won beyond your bid. Each is worth +1, but every 10 accumulated bags costs 100 points.
Is Spades free to play?
Yes — free, with no sign-up or download, against a computer partner and opponents.
More Free Games
Enjoy Spades? Try another: