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SPADES 27
CARD GAME
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by Keith Adler
Be the first team to reach the target score (usually 500). You play in partnerships — you and the player across from you vs. the other two.
Standard 52-card deck. Each player gets 13 cards. Spades are always trump.
Before play, each player bids how many tricks they think they'll win (1-13). Your team's bids are combined. You can also bid Nil (zero tricks) for a risky +100 bonus.
The player left of the dealer leads first. You must follow the lead suit if you can. If you can't, you may play any card including spades (trump). Highest card of the lead suit wins, unless a spade was played — then highest spade wins.
You can't lead with spades until someone has played a spade on a previous trick (or you only have spades left).
If your team makes its bid: bid × 10 points + 1 point per overtrick (bag). If you fail: -bid × 10 points.
Overtricks (bags) accumulate. Every 10 bags = -100 penalty. Don't win too many extra tricks!
Bid Nil = promise to win zero tricks. Success: +100. Failure: -100. High risk, high reward.