Friends with Modems Classic games with the people you love.

Spades guide

Spades best practices

Tips for playing well, the most useful first.

  1. Count your sure tricks before you bid: each ace, each king that has a small card with it, and your spades beyond the third.
  2. When in doubt, bid a little low. Missing a bid of 4 by one trick costs 40 points, while taking one trick more than you bid costs only a bag.
  3. Bid for your team, not only your hand. Your bid and your partner's add up to one contract.
  4. Bid nil only with mostly low cards, a short suit or two to get rid of, and no high spades.
  5. Never bid nil holding the ace of spades. It's a sure trick you can't give away.
  6. When your partner bids nil, take the tricks yourself: lead high, and cover their card if they might win.
  7. Try to set the other team when they bid a lot. Your defense should take the tricks their bid needs.
  8. Bags add up. Once your contract is safe, play low and let the other team have the extra tricks.
  9. Watch your bag count late in a game. A 100-point bag penalty can cost you the win.
  10. Count the spades as they fall, especially the high ones. It tells you when your spade is safe to play.
  11. Hold back your high spades until the tricks that matter, rather than spending them early.
  12. Lead the suit where your partner is strong, and read their plays for what they hold.