Q&A for How to Play Spades

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  • Question
    When a suit is played do you have to play a higher card in that suit?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, if you're able to, you must play a higher card of that suit. Otherwise, you play any card of any suit.
  • Question
    What does the term "Run a Boston" mean?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    "Running a Boston" is when a team takes all 13 tricks in a round. It's also known as "shooting the moon."
  • Question
    On the first hand in spades, if clubs are lead and I do not have clubs, can I play a spade on the first hand?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, you may. This will "break spades," and afterward any player may lead with a spade.
  • Question
    If I play a queen of spades, is my opponent required to beat it, if she can?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    If spades were the starting suit played, then yes, your opponent must attempt to beat it. If they can't they simply play any card of their choosing.
  • Question
    If you play nil and your partner bids 4 and he gets 6 and you DON'T get your nil, but then get some tricks and go over bid, do you lose 100 points AND the penalty for overbidding?
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    This answer was written by one of our trained team of researchers who validated it for accuracy and comprehensiveness.
    wikiHow Staff Editor
    Staff Answer
    Yes, you do lose both 100 points and have an overbidding penalty. Bidding nil is high-risk, high-reward, so be careful before you make that bid!
  • Question
    How do I play spades with 2 players?
    Community Answer
    You have to deal a "dummy" hand on the side. Otherwise, you'll know the other player has any card you don't have - hence, no fun in playing.
  • Question
    What do I do when my opponent and I put down the same card?
    Community Answer
    You can't put down the same card. Each card in a 52 card deck is different. Remember that the suit of the lead card must be played, otherwise a trump may be played.
  • Question
    How do I know who my partner is?
    Community Answer
    If you are playing with the normal four people, your partner is the person across from you.
  • Question
    When counting tricks do you bid any spade tricks you think you have?
    Community Answer
    To answer the second question, no. You do not have to bid separately for trump, just bid the total number of tricks you think you will take.
  • Question
    When a spade is led, do the players following have to play a higher spade?
    Community Answer
    No, hey do not have to play a higher spade. They just have to play a spade, if they have one.
  • Question
    If I bid 0 but take a trick, should I continue to take any more tricks?
    Community Answer
    If you think you can "set" the other team yes. If not avoid taking extra bags, you're already in trouble.
  • Question
    Do diamonds beat clubs?
    Community Answer
    No. Spades are trump, they will always take the trick. Other than that, whatever suit leads will take the trick.
  • Question
    If a person has no spades can the hand be thrown in
    Orangejews
    Community Answer
    Some house rules allow for calling a misdeal with such hands. But if you are allowed, consider playing it out anyway. Spadeless hands often make great nils. Also if you partner has long spades, there's a good chance the opps will misplay the suit and risk getting set. View these hands as an opportunity to gain 100-200 points over your opponents.
  • Question
    How many cards does each player get?
    Community Answer
    Since all the cards are dealt out at the start of the game, that would depend on the number of players. For example, if it's a 2 player game, each player gets 26 cards.
  • Question
    How do I play spades with only two players?
    Community Answer
    Play the game as if there were three players, but the hand for the third player cards remains face down.
  • Question
    Why do I have to bid?
    Community Answer
    You must bid because the successful "nil" bids earn 100 points, while unsuccessful bids will result in a penalty of 100 points.
  • Question
    What is the penalty for not making my bet in Spades?
    Community Answer
    You lose your bet from your total of points. Example: you bet that you will take 7 books this hand, and failing to do so would subtract 70 points from your score.
  • Question
    Do I have to beat the high card when playing?
    Community Answer
    No, you don't if your teammate already has won, then you can use that to get rid of an "extra" book, or to try to get more books. It just depends on how your teammate and you guess the books.
  • Question
    What number should I play to?
    Community Answer
    Traditionally, spades is played to 500, but 300 is common for a shorter game.
  • Question
    Do I have to take a trick if possible?
    Community Answer
    No. Ducking a trick is always allowed and knowing when to do so is an important part of Spades strategy.
  • Question
    What is a blind bonus?
    Community Answer
    Blind usually dictates a double of whatever your bet is. For example, blind 6 is saying, without looking at your cards, that you will take 6 books this hand. 6 books translates to 60 points, however calling it blind makes your bet 120. You would lose 120 upon set, and gain 120 upon completion of said bet.
  • Question
    What happens if I get ten books?
    Community Answer
    That is called "wheels." The other team is stuck, which means they can't make their books, so subtract what they bid from their current score. Your team also gets 200 points for a successful wheels.
  • Question
    Do I need to remove a card to play spades?
    Community Answer
    Depending on the version of play, you would add the two jokers and take out the 2 of hearts and diamonds.
  • Question
    What is the object of the card game spades?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    The goal of each hand of Spades if for you and your partner to guess the strength of your hands or the number of "tricks" in the bidding phase, and then try to get as close to your estimate during the game. The gameplay is fast-paced and quickly moving and there's a fair amount of strategy and cooperation required to win each hand of Spades.
  • Question
    What cards do you use for Spades?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    Spades is played with a standard deck of cards. However, the 2 jokers are removed from the deck and the 52 remaining cards are dealt evenly between the 3 players. It's important that there aren't any cards missing from the deck or it can throw off the whole game.
  • Question
    Can you play Spades with 3 people?
    Drew Hawkins1
    Community Answer
    You can play Spades with only 3 people by dealing out all of the cards to the 3 players. There aren't any teams or partnerships and each player will bid on how many tricks they'll take. The gameplay then proceeds as normal, except each player will have an individual score.
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