Spades
Bid your tricks, then make them with your partner.
About Spades
Spades is the classic partnership trick-taking game. Count your winners, bid honestly, trump at the right moment and help your partner make the contract — then climb the leaderboard with your biggest wins.
How to play
You and your computer partner (north) play against two computer players. Each hand, everyone bids how many tricks they'll take (Nil means none). Follow suit if you can; spades are trumps and can't be led until one has been played. Make your team's bid to score 10 per bid trick plus 1 per extra trick (bag); fall short and you lose 10 per bid trick. Every 10 bags cost 100, and Nil scores ±100. First team to 200 wins.
Tips and strategies
- Count aces, protected kings and extra spades when you bid.
- Don't overtake a trick your partner is already winning.
- Once your team has made its bid, lose tricks on purpose to avoid collecting bags.
Spades strategy guide
Bid what you can count. Aces, protected kings and long spades are your sure tricks; bidding high on hope sets your team back 10 per trick.
Don't drown in bags. Once your bid is made, extra tricks only build bags — duck with low cards when you safely can.
Bid nil with a low hand. With no spades above a few and plenty of low cards, nil's 100 points is worth more than a couple of tricks.
Frequently asked questions
Who do I play with?
You and your computer partner sitting opposite (north) play against two computer players. The game runs to 200 points, or ends after 10 hands with whoever is ahead.
How do bids and scoring work?
Everyone bids how many tricks they'll take; 0 is nil. A team that makes its combined bid scores 10 per bid trick plus 1 per extra trick (a bag); falling short costs 10 per bid trick. Every 10 bags cost 100. Nil scores +100 if the bidder takes no tricks and −100 if not.
How are wins ranked?
Only wins count, scored by your team's winning margin over the other team. Spades are trumps and can't be led until one has been played, unless you hold nothing else.
Is Spades free to play?
Yes. Every game on Puzzimo is completely free and runs in your browser on desktop, tablet and phone — no download or installation.
Do I need an account?
No. You can play instantly as a guest and still appear on the leaderboards. Sign in with Google, Discord or LINE to keep your scores on every device.
How does the daily Spades challenge work?
Every day at 00:00 UTC everyone gets the same new puzzle. Only your first finish of the day counts on the leaderboard.
How are leaderboard results verified?
Our servers replay every move of your game and measure the time themselves, so leaderboard results can't be faked.