The modern game of Spades became popular in the late 1940’s, especially on college campuses. It was difficult to ascertain the true origin of the Spades card game.

A review of several card game reference sources revealed that Spades descended from Whist. Spades also has a kindred spirit with Bridge, Pinochle, Euchre and other similar games featuring partnership play, bidding and a trump suit.

George Coffin, the great Bridge author, traced the roots of Spades to the Mid-West. He determined that this game was introduced in Cincinnati, OH, sometime between 1937 and 1939. From there, it spread to other cities in the general region and eventually into the military. Spades was played extensively during World War II as it was a fast paced game, which could be interrupted at any time – especially during battle conditions!

The appeal of Spades is its relatively basic bidding system, opportunity for advanced play and very quick moving action. Many seasoned Bridge players became very proficient at Spades before graduating to their specialty.

Objective of Spades

Spades is a trick game, much like hearts or bridge. The player with the highest ranked card wins the trick. Each player must bid how many tricks they will make before the hand begins. The amount of tricks you bid and make applies to your score and the first player to reach the final score wins.

The Bidding

Each player must make a bid, which is the number of tricks they expect to make. It is important to realize that in Spades both players' bids stand. (It is not like other bidding games in which only the higher bid counts. The bid is selected from the drop-down menu which appears on your screen.

How to play 2 player spades

In 2 player Spades each player must first select their cards. If you want the first card drag it to your hand. If not discard it and keep the second card. The hand can start with any card except a spade. Spades may be played anytime after the first play. Each player, in turn, must follow suit if able; if unable to follow suit, the player may play any card. The highest spade played wins a trick containing a spade; if no spade is played, the highest card of the suit led wins the trick. The winner of each trick plays first.

How to play a Card

All playable cards are highlighted blue. Click on a playable card of your choice and drag it to the middle of the table.

Scoring

A player that makes their bid receives a score equal to 10 times the bid. Additional tricks (overtricks) are worth an extra one point each.

If a player does not make his/her bid, he/she loses 10 points for each trick that was bid.

The player who reaches the designated point total first wins the game. If both players reach the designated point total in a single hand, the player with the higher score wins.

Blind Bids

If a player is down 80 points or more to their opponent they may blind bid. Blind bids are placed before selecting the hand. Blind bids receive double points, a blind bid of 7 scores 140. points. The minimum blind bid is 7 tricks.

10-for-200

if a player bids 10 tricks and makes at least 10 tricks they will receive a bonus and score 200 points rather than 100 points. A player also loses 200 points if they do not make the 10 trick bid.

Moon or Boston

This is a bid to make all 13 tricks and wins the game automatically if this is accomplished. The player loses 200 points if he/she fails to take all the tricks.

The Score

Each player’s score is displayed to the right of their picture.

The Clock

Your clock runs when it is your turn to play, and it stops when you complete your turn. If you run out of time, then you lose the game and your wager, if playing in a real money game.