Play Spades Online Free with Friends

How to play Spades

1. Four players in two partnerships — you and the player across from you are a team.
2. Each hand, everyone bids how many tricks they'll take. Bid 0 (NIL) to gamble on taking none: +100 if you pull it off, -100 if you don't.
3. Follow the led suit if you can. Spades are ALWAYS trump — a spade beats any card of another suit.
4. Spades can't be led until one has been played to another trick (or your hand is all spades).
5. Scoring: make your team's combined bid for 10 points per bid trick, +1 per extra trick ("bag"). Miss it and you LOSE 10 per bid trick.
6. Collect 10 bags and your team eats a -100 penalty. First team to 500 wins.

Spades strategy

The basics that turn knowing the rules into winning games — what to do first, what to keep, what to avoid.

• Count your sure tricks — aces, kings with a guard, and high spades — and bid that number. An underbid costs less than a set.
• Bid nil only with no ace, no king, and short suits you can duck; then throw your highest card under partner's winners.
• Lead your strong non-spade suit first to pull cards, and lead spades once you want to draw trumps out.
• Take your bid first, then avoid extra tricks: ten bags cost 100 points.
• If partner bid nil, take every trick you can, especially early, to cover them.

Spades FAQ

How many players does Spades need?

Four, in two partnerships sitting opposite each other. Add bots for any seats you cannot fill.

Do you play nil and blind nil?

Nil, yes — bid nothing and take nothing for a bonus, or lose it if you take a trick. Bags count against you, ten of them cost 100 points, and a losing floor of −200 applies.

What score wins?

500 points.

Do I need an account?

No. Type a name and play — no signup, no download, nothing to install. Making an account is optional and only exists to keep your stats, nickname and preferences across devices.

Is it really free?

Yes, all of it. Every game on Board Game Universe is free to play, with no premium tier holding anything back.

Can I play on my phone?

Yes. It runs in a mobile browser on phones and tablets as well as on a desktop — there is no app to download.

How do I play with my friends?

Start a table and send your friends the link. They open it, type a name, and sit down. Moves and table chat happen in real time.

Can I play against the computer?

Yes. Add a bot to any table and it plays a proper game — useful for filling a seat while you wait for a fourth.