2 tricks would be risky, as we do not want to ruff our partner's K or Q.

So we'll add 1 to our bid, since we can ruff subsequent diamonds. We only have one Ace though, this means that every subsequent play of Diamonds can be won with a trump. So we're tossing that trick out of the window. Very often, a player will be short suited and trump on the third lead of a suit, turning your winner Q into a loser. A good rule of thumb is to only bid Aces and Kings. But we're going to take our strategy to the next level and consider what trump we and other people have. Many times, your hand will have no honors (therefore a 0 by straight counting) but will have enough trump to warrant a bid.īy counting only, we have 4 tricks. This means that a lowly deuce of spades will take out someone's non-spade Ace. When spades are played in a trick (either lead or off suit) the highest spade will win. In Spades, there is one suit that is more powerful than all others: Spades. Socrates - Plato: Apology, Crito, and Phaedo of Socrates. In this trifling particular, then, I appear to be wiser than he, because I do not fancy I know what I do not know.' '.I reasoned thus with myself: I am wiser than this man, for neither of us appears to know anything great and good but he fancies he knows something, although he knows nothing whereas I, as I do not know anything, so I do not fancy I do. Given enough time, a casual player who remains open to new strategies and ideas will invariably overtake the experienced player who claims to know it all already. Even though the latter's knowledge of Spades may run deeper than the former's, every player still has the potential to become much better than he or she already is. While it is possible that the player is a very talented mathematician or a computer (and thus could be taught to pick a strategy purely using game theory and statistics), the majority of players will find it much easier (and more fun!) if they learn to do this by practicing.įinally, while this guide is aimed primarily toward the casual player who is looking to improve his or her game, it is also hoped that this guide might prove a useful reference for experienced players too. Instead, the player must learn which strategy to apply to which scenario. Unfortunately, there is no magic one-strategy-fits-all solution that can turn any player into a master spades player overnight (not even this tutorial can do that). This guide presents a number of viable strategies for a player to consider incorporating into their game. The only limit to such strategies is the imagination - even seemingly crazy choices, such as nilling with an ace of spades, are not unheard of! Advanced strategies will help to improve a player's game in the long run, but they may also help a pirate to raise their spades standing and even draw out a steady-yet-profitable flow of Pieces of Eight. A few may even be purely to unnerve and gain the psychological advantage over the opponent.

Some may focus on helping the player's team to make their bid, while others may concentrate on techniques to force the opposition to fail theirs. Players can often master these basic aspects of Spades, which are explained on the Spades article, in as few as two or three games.īeyond the basics, there are also a great many techniques and strategies for the curious or the competitively-inclined to explore. To be able to enjoy the game socially with friends, a beginner only needs to have a good grasp of the rules and gameplay. Spades is a trick-taking card game that has proved popular with people of all ages across the world.

They are in no way hard and fast rules as to the 'correct' way to do this puzzle or game action. These pictures and/or suggestions derive from personal opinions and are meant as guidelines only. Developing a unique approach to a puzzle or challenge that works for the individual is the most important aspect of mastering the craft.

Highest card in spades