Do you love card games that involve strategy, skill, and a bit of luck? If so, then Spades is likely one of your favorite pastimes. After all, who can resist the thrill of taking an extra trick or beating out that opponent who thought they had it in the bag? It’s exhilarating, and did you know there are several variations you can try? Each offers something new and exciting for its players—from bonus points to interesting rules twists.
We’ll explore these five twisty takes on spades and everything they offer! If you’re looking for a fresh challenge to take your game-day fun up a notch. It’s worth noting that these games are made by card game lovers who want to share their unique gameplay with the world.
With that said, check out our list of this timeless classic’s wildest and most remarkable versions!
Understanding the Spades Gameplay
If you have always loved the classic Spades gameplay, the games below will give you something extra. These are the top five options for those who love trick-taking action. You can even play Spades online through browsers or by downloading an app!
As you may already know, Spades is usually played in partnerships by two teams of four players. However, some players prefer individual plays for cutthroat competition. It’s played using 52 cards, and players will bid the number of tricks they think they can take after every round.
Here are the basics:
- One team consists of a dummy and a declarer, while the other team is the defendant
- A team can score points once they accumulate the number of tricks based on their combined bids
- Players must follow the suit of the previous player if possible or play a trump/discard a card
Once you know the gameplay, you’re ready to play Spades. One excellent game is Spades.co. Here, players can talk to their partners through the in-chat features or play against real players worldwide. It also allows beginners to hone their trick-taking skills!
5 Different Variations of Spades
If you want to play Spades online for free, try the variations below, and you might find one that will fulfill your trick-taking needs.
(1) Miser
Believed to have come from Ukraine, Miser is an alternative to Spades, where players must avoid getting tricks. It has some similarities to Hearts, which is a trick-avoidance game. The player with the lowest number of tricks of penalty points wins.
The bidding in Miser is like the higher version of Spades. However, players must strive to stay on their first bid or go lower.
Basics of Miser for beginners:
- Usually played by individual players and not by partners
- Bidding might last two or more rounds
- Scoring is reversed to high Spades
- For players who don’t take bids and have higher tricks than their bids, the score is -(13 – bid)
(2) Two Player Spades
This two-player Spades game has the same gameplay and mechanics as the classic Spades but with a few adjustments. It employs 52 cards, including big and little jokers with two hearts and diamonds discarded. There will be a total of 13 tricks, and each trick contains four cards.
Bidding:
- Nil
- Double Nil
- Blind Six (Seven, Eight, Nine, Ten, Eleven, Twelve)
- 4 (Board)
- Bemo
- Double Naught
- Naught
- Big Bemo
Play begins with the player to the dealer’s left side, and any card may be played. The game moves clockwise, and any card can be played if it matches the suit (if possible). If you’re interested, you can try looking for browser-based platforms of Spades for two players.
(3) Three Player Spades
Like the classic and two-player versions, three-player Spades has the same gameplay with a few elements that make it unique. It also uses 52 cards, with a total of 13 tricks. Each trick contains three cards instead of four.
Blind bids must be exact to be successful, and once bids are made, they can’t be lowered once they’re written on the scorecard. The good news is these can be increased before the first card of the first trick is played. In addition, any bids from the two below must be exact to be correct.
To win a trick, the highest value of the first card of the trick wins. After that, the winner of that trick will begin the next game. Remember that ten overtricks will result in negative 100 points, and if a player fails to play a card that matches the suit of the first card of a trick, an opponent may take up to three books from that player during the game.
(4) Royal Spades
Royal Spades is generally played by two players based on Poker’s Royal Flush. It can be played with or without Joker cards, and all cards below ten are taken out, except for Spades. It will result in a deck with only 30 cards with jokers or 28 without, hence the name “Royal Spades” since it only consists of Royal Cards.
(5) Gambling Spades
If you enjoy gambling and Spades, this variation is the best alternative. It’s typically played between three to six players, and one chip is put in the central pot. All cards are dealt as far as they go, while the remaining cards are discarded and unused. The group can decide whether to reveal the discarded cards for a bit of a challenge.
Bidding begins with players putting chips before them, so one chip equals one trick. Remember not to combine these chips with the central pot, as these are used to remind how many tricks each player bids.
If you’re into casino games, you may try Spades by Pokerist. Even though the gameplay isn’t the same as Gambling Spades, it employs chips for those who want to gamble and play Spades online for free against millions worldwide.
Take Spades to the Next Level
Most of these games are made by fans of Spades, so they’re not real variations. But the more players can join the fun, the better! Whether you’re playing Spades online or with a group of friends, don’t forget to try these out. With any luck and strategy, you’ll win those tricks time and time again!
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