Play Spades online, free, with a computer partner

How this Spades works

You and a computer partner play against two computer opponents. Spades are always trump, each player gets 13 cards, and you must follow suit when you can. Spades can't be led until they have been played. Everyone bids the number of tricks they expect to win, and your side's bid is the sum. A nil bid is allowed.

Score ten points for every trick you bid and take, plus one point for each extra trick, called a bag. Collect ten bags and lose 100 points. A successful nil is worth 100, and a failed one costs 100. The first side to 250 wins, with an option for 500. Legal cards glow, the scoreboard stays on screen and a hint suggests a good card.

A game with American roots

Spades was created in the United States in the 1930s as a variation on whist, and it grew popular on college campuses and in the armed forces, where its partnership format suited the barracks.

Bidding well

• Count your sure tricks first: aces, and kings with an ace or a long suit behind them.
• Count your spades: each of the high ones and any long suit may win.
• Keep your bid honest. An overbid costs you the whole contract.
• Nil is tempting with a hand of low cards, but only if every suit has a safe exit.

Playing well

• Lead aces and kings in side suits before the opponents can trump them.
• Don't waste your spades. Trump when it wins a trick you need.
• Protect your partner's nil. Cover them by playing high on their risky tricks.
• Watch the bags. Taking lots of extra tricks looks good until the ten-bag penalty arrives.

Made from a prompt

The prompt for this game, including its scoring rules, is public on the game page.