How to Bid in Spades
Good Spades bidding is mostly honest counting. Add up the tricks you expect, round to a whole number, and adjust for your partner's bid.
Counting a hand
| Holding | About |
|---|---|
| A♠ | 1 trick |
| K♠ with another spade | 1 trick |
| Q♠ with two other spades | ¾ trick |
| Each spade beyond your third | 1 trick |
| Side-suit ace | 1 trick |
| Side-suit king with the ace or one small card | ½–1 trick |
| Void in a side suit, with spare spades | ½–1 trick |
Example
A♠ (1) + K♠ (1) + fourth spade (1) + A♥ (1) + K♥ with the ace (1) = about 5. Bid 4 or 5, depending on the rest of the hand and your partner's bid.
Bidding nil
Bid nil with a hand that can't win a trick on its own:
- no spade above the 9, and no more than three spades,
- no aces or kings,
- low cards in several suits.
Your partner then plays high to cover you. A successful nil is worth 100 points, a failed one costs 100.
Your partner's bid
- If your partner bid high, bid what you're sure of; your team has enough.
- If your partner bid nil, bid a little higher: you'll be winning tricks to protect them.
- If the four bids add up to more than 13, someone will go set. Play to make sure it isn't your team.
Play Spades · Rules · Strategy
Frequently asked questions
How many tricks is the King of Spades worth?
About one when you hold at least one other spade to protect it, and less on its own.
What is the total of all bids usually?
There are 13 tricks. When the four bids add up to 11 or 12, expect a few bags; 14 or more means someone will go set.
Last updated 2026-10-18