 Variants
of Spades
There are numerous
variations for spades, as it is played in different forms
everywhere you go. I have listed many of them on this page, but
please bear in mind that this page will not cover every single
possible variation. The important thing in any game, including
spades, is to make sure everyone understands which set of rules and
variations will be used for the game before it starts. This way
everyone can have a fun and fair gaming experience.
I have listed each variation with its
own heading below. Most of them can be mixed and matched. In other
words, you can often use just one of them in a game of spades or use
many of them in the same game. There are also rules for spades games
with more or less than four players towards the bottom of the page.
Spades Blind Nil
Any player may bid nil without first
looking at their cards. This is only allowed in most games if the
players team is at least 100 points behind. After the player makes
the blind nil bid, he or she looks at their cards and chooses two
and passes them to their partner face down. Their partner then gives
them back two face down cards after looking at the two they
received. The scoring is the same as in the regular
spade rules.
Dealer Leads in Spades
In this variation the dealer leads
the first trick and may lead any suit, including spades. Spades may
be lead by any player at any time. In other words, spades does not
have to be broken before they can be lead.
Bidding Blind in Spades
Both partners of one team may bid
blind seven, blind eight or higher before they look at their cards.
If they are successful in taking the number of tricks stated, they
win double the score, or 20 points per trick. However, if they are
unsuccessful, they lose 20 points per trick. Bags are treated the
same as in the regular rules.
Spades With Jokers
Some people play with the two jokers.
One joker is designated as the high trump and the other is the
second highest trump. The third highest trump is usually the Ace of
spades, but in some variations (see below) the two of spades is the
third and the Ace is the fourth. When playing with jokers, the last
two cards are discarded after the deal so each player has 13 cards.
Spades Partners Bidding
In this variant, the partners are
allowed to reach a bid together through discussion. The partners
that don't deal are the first to decide. The players may not speak
about specific cards, but they may say that they know they can take
a certain amount of tricks and may be able to get as many as a
different number. For example, "I know I can take three tricks and
may be able to take four."
Spades Misdeal Rules
Any player may call a misdeal before
bidding takes place if they have no spades of one spade, at least
seven cards of one suit or no cards higher than a nine. Players are
not required to state a misdeal. They may play their hand as is. If
a player states a misdeal, all cards are collected and the same
dealer deals again.
Bidding 10 for 200 in Spades
A partnership may bid ten for 200,
which is a bid of exactly ten tricks. If the team is successful,
they win 200 points, however if they take any other number of
tricks, either higher or lower, they lose 200 points.
Bidding Big Bemo in Spades
In this variant, a team may bid Big
Bemo, which requires them to win the first nine tricks of the hand.
If they are successful, they win an extra 90 points for the hand. If
they don't win the first nine tricks, they lose an additional 90
points.
Bidding Little Bemo in Spades
Little Bemo is the same as Big Bemo
except it is the first six tricks and the bonus or additional loss
is 60 points.
Bidding Boston (Moon) in Spades
A Boston or Moon bid is a bid to take
all 13 tricks. When it is successful it is worth 200 points, and a
200 point loss if not successful. There are also variations that
count a Boston or Moon as 400 or 500 points.
Bidding Blind Moon in Spades
The same as Moon or Boston above,
except the partners bid without looking at their cards. Awarded 400
points for making it and lose 400 points if not.
Two's as High Card in Spades
In this variant, the two's are the
high card of each suit, followed by the Aces, Kings, etc.
Three-Handed Spades Rules
In three-handed spades, each player
plays for themselves. In other words there are no partnerships. If
using a 52-card playing deck, each player receives 17 cards and the
last card is not used. When a 54-card playing deck is used, each
player receives 18 cards and no cards are discarded. The scoring is
the same as in the regular rules.
Six-Handed Spades Rules
Six-handed spades is played with
three sets of partners and uses two standard playing card decks with
the two of Clubs removed from each deck. This creates a deck of 102
playing cards. When two cards of the same suit and rank are played
on the same trick, the last one played is the highest for that
trick. The remaining rules are the same as in four-handed play.
See
blackjack
games and variations to learn about different blackjack games,
video poker
games and variations to see different video poker games and
poker games and
variants to learn about poker.
Spades Variations
Spades
Information
Spades Tips and Strategies
Spades Rules
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