Play Spades Online On MPL

The classic Spades game, a trick-taking card game, originated in the 1930s. The game rose to extreme popularity during World War II due to its simple nature. Even today, spades is extremely popular and easy to learn.

Whether you are trying to beat the boredom or want to tickle your brain, spades is perfect for you. Even if you are a beginner. learning the Spades rules and gameplay is pretty easy. Here's everything you must know to learn how to play spades online on MPL. Without further ado, let's dive in!

What is Spades Card Game?

Spades is a classic trick-taking card game that requires skill, strategy, and teamwork. If you have these three, you will surely ace the spades game.

Typically played by four players in partnerships, it revolves around predicting and winning tricks. Each player bids on the number of tricks their team can win. The first partnership to reach a predetermined score wins the game of spades.

The distinctive feature of spades is that they are always considered trump cards, meaning they beat cards from other suits. This adds an element of strategy and surprise to the game. Spades is known for its blend of skill, communication, and psychology, making it a preferred card game for social gatherings and casual play.

How to Download Spades from MPL?

If you want to enjoy the online Spades card game to the fullest, you can easily download it from MPL. Simply follow the below steps to get the app on your device. 

• Download the MPL app on your device. It is available on both iOS and Android.
• Install the app and tap on open.
• If you are a new user, create an account using the instructions on-screen. 
• Next, search for 'Spades' and choose the 'Play Now' option.

Common Terminology in Spades Card Game

Let's unpack the most common terminologies of spades!

Trick 

A trick in Spades refers to a single round of card play, where each player plays one card, and the highest ranking card of the lead suit wins the trick.

Book

In spades, a book is a term used to represent a set of tricks. Since there are 13 tricks in a game of Spades, winning all 13 tricks is often called making a book.

Hand

A hand in Spades consists of the 13 cards that a player is dealt at the beginning of the game.

Bid

The bid is the number of tricks a player or partnership predicts they will win during the game. Bids are made before the start of each game and determine the goal for that round

Contract

The contract is the total number of tricks that both players in a partnership have committed to winning. It's the sum of their individual bids.

Undertrick

An undertrick occurs when a player or partnership fails to win the number of tricks they bid. Undertricks result in penalties or lost points.

Bag 

In spades, players receive points for every extra trick won beyond the contract. These points are often referred to as bags, and they accumulate over the course of the game. For instance, 10 bags or 10 points.

Void

Being void in a suit means a player has no cards of that suit in their hand.

Trump

Spades are always considered trump cards in the game. When a player plays a trump card, it can beat cards from other suits, regardless of rank.

Sluff

To sluff a card means to play a card of a different suit when you can't follow the lead suit. This can be a strategic move to get rid of certain cards or avoid taking a trick.

Nil

A nil bid is when a player predicts they will not win any tricks in a round. If successful, a nil bid is usually worth extra points. If unsuccessful, it leads to penalties.

Spades Rules

The main objective in Spades is to win at least the number of tricks bid at the beginning of the game. The first player to reach 250 or 500 points wins the game. The game is typically played between four players, either solo or in teams. On MPL, the online spades are played individually between four players.

• The game uses a standard deck of 52 cards. The rank of cards from high to low is A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 (Ace is high).
• The first dealer in a new game is chosen randomly. Then, the dealer shuffles the cards and deals one card at a time clockwise until all cards are dealt, with each player receiving 13 cards.
• When bidding begins, players bid on the number of tricks they can win based on their hand strength. Each player must bid at least one trick. In partnerships, the bids are combined.
• There is only one bidding phase, where players cannot pass. There are two bidding variants: bidding nil and bidding blind.
• When a partnership bids zero tricks, it is called bidding nil. If successful, it earns 100 bonus points. But if it wins one or more tricks, it incurs a 100-point penalty. If one partner bids nil and the other bids a number, the partner can still win the number of tricks bid.
• When a player bids without looking at their cards, it is called a blind bid. After bidding blind, the player can look at their cards and exchange three cards with their partner. A successful blind bid earns the partnership 200 bonus points, while failure incurs a 200-point penalty.
• Each player is dealt 13 cards. The player to the dealer’s left starts the first trick. The highest-value card wins the trick unless a spade is played. If a spade is played, the highest spade wins. The round continues until all cards are played.
• Spades are broken when a player cannot follow suit and plays a spade. The first trick can only be led with a spade if spades are broken. After a spade is played, any player can lead with a spade.
• When a player wins the number of tricks they bid, they score 10 points for each trick. Extra tricks (bags) score one point each. But if they fail to meet the bid or for excessive bags, they will lose points. For example, if a player bids 5 tricks and wins 8, they score (5*10) + 3 = 53 points.
• Winning tricks above the bid are called bags. If players accumulate 10 or more bags, they lose 100 points, and the bag count resets. Excess bags carry over to the next cycle of ten overtricks.
• In a partnership game, the first partnership to reach 500 points wins. In an individual game, the first player to reach 250 points wins.

How to Play Spades?

The Teams

Spades are typically played by four players, where one team will have two players. Partners sit across from each other at a private table or virtual one. They work together to achieve their bidding goals.

The Rank of Cards 

In Spades, the cards are ranked from highest to lowest. The order is Ace, King, Queen, Jack, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2. Among these, spades are always considered trump cards, meaning they can beat cards from other suits, regardless of rank.

Objective

The objective of the game is to form and fulfill a set number of bids through skillful card play and effective teamwork with your partner. In this game, players must strategically assess their hands, accurately estimate the number of tricks they can win, and as one team try to achieve their bid. All this must be done while preventing their opponents from doing the same.

The Deal

To begin, a standard deck of 52 cards is shuffled and cut. The dealer deals the cards to the players in a clockwise direction and one at a time. Each player receives 13 cards. The player to the left of the dealer is the first to receive cards and often makes the initial move or bid in the game. The position on the left of the dealer is known as the first seat.

The Bidding

Once the cards are dealt to each player, they evaluate their hands and gauge how many tricks they can win. Bidding occurs in a clockwise order. Bids can range from 0 to 13 tricks and are typically made in terms of books. Players bid a minimum of one book. Bids represent the combined prediction of a partnership, meaning you can't specify how many tricks you will win individually. 

The Play of the Hand

The game begins with the player to the dealer's left, leading the first trick. The player can play any card from their hand. This card sets the suit for the trick. The other players must follow suit if they have cards of the same suit. If they don't have cards of the same suit, they can play any card from their hand.

The player who plays the highest-ranking card of the lead suit wins the trick. Remember that trump cards always beat cards from other suits. If any player plays a spade, the highest spade played wins the trick. The winner of a trick leads the next trick. After all 13 tricks are played, the teams count the number of tricks they have won and compare it to their bid.

If a team wins an equal number or more tricks than their bid, it earns points based on the number of tricks won. If a team fails to meet the bid, it loses points. The goal is to achieve the target score, usually 500 points, before the opposing team does.

Scoring in Spades and Earning Cash

The Spades game is scored by hand. The first player to reach the predetermined number of points will win the game.

Typically, the game is played to 500 points, but a shorter version can be played to 200 points. When a player meets their bid by winning the number of tricks they bid, they score 10 points for each trick bid. The player scores an additional 1 point for each extra trick or "bag" won beyond their bid.

That is, if a player bids 6 tricks and wins 6 tricks (equal number), they score 60 points. If they bid 6 tricks and win 7 tricks, they score 61 points. If a player fails to meet their bid and doesn't win the number of tricks bid, their score for that round is zero.

For example, Player A and Player B bid 5 tricks and won 7 tricks. They get 52 score points: 50 points for the tricks bid and 2 points for the extra tricks, also known as "bags."

A team that takes fewer tricks than they bid (underbidding) loses 10 points for each trick bid. For example, if a team bids 7 tricks but takes only 5, they are penalized 70 points.

Scoring for Nil and Double Nil bids follows the same spades rules. If a player fails a Nil bid, their tricks don't help their partner's bid. But they do count as "bags" for the partnership.

Winning the Spades Game as a Player or Team

In a Spades game, each partnership (team of two players) aims to be the first to accumulate 500 points or more to win the game. Points are scored based on successfully bidding and taking the number of tricks bid in each hand. If both partnerships reach or exceed 500 points in the same hand at the end, the partnership with the higher overall score is the winner.

Whe there is a tie between the partnerships at 500 points or above, the game is not over yet! Instead, the partnerships must continue playing another hand to break the tie. The partnership that outscores the other in this subsequent hand will win the game, as they surpass the 500-point threshold.

Breaking Spades

When a player can't follow suit because of the lack a card of the same suit and plays a spade, then breaking spades occurs. It also happens when a player has no choice but to lead with spades. For example, if the first and second players have hearts but the third player doesn't have the suit, they plays a spade.

Sandbagging

On the other hand, when a partnership wins too many tricks above their bid, Sandbaging happens. Accumulating 10 bags incurs a penalty of 100 points.

Bid Accurately

The key to winning at Spades is making accurate bids. When to bid how much decides the outcome. .Your bidding skills will improve with experience. But there are some strategies that help you bid in a way to win the game.

When you first look at your cards, count the high cards, especially Aces and Kings. For example, if you have two Aces and two Kings, you might win 4 tricks. But to be on the safe side, bid only 3 tricks.

Also, consider the number and value of your Spades.

• High-value Spades like Ace, King, and Queen can help you win tricks.
• When you are unable to follow the suit, use lower-value Spades (5, 6, 7, etc.) for breaking spades. But keep in mind that opponents may use higher Spades to win those tricks.

Variations of Spades

There are several variations of Spades, each with its own Spades rules and twists. Here are some common variations:

• Royal Spades: In this spades card game, there will be a modified deck where the 2 through 6 cards are removed, leaving only 7 through Ace. This changes the dynamics of bidding and trick-taking, making the game faster and more strategic.
• Partnership Spades: It is played with four players in two teams of two. Team bids and scores are combined.
• Individual Spades: In this spade variation, each player bids and plays independently.
• Cutthroat Spades: A three-player version where each player competes against the others.
• Suicide Spades: A partnership Spades game where one player must bid nil and the other must bid at least one.
• Mirror Spades: In this, players must bid the exact number of spades in their hand.
• Miser's Spades: Similar to standard Spades but with a twist. Players can bid "miser," aiming to win as few tricks as possible. Successfully doing so earns bonus points, while failing results in penalties.
• Hurricane Spades: A fast-paced variation of spades where there are no bids. Players simply try to win as many tricks as possible. This version emphasizes quick thinking and aggressive play.
• Boston: In this version, a player attempts to win all 13 tricks. It results in a large bonus, but failing to win all 13 tricks results in a huge penalty.
• Joker-Joker-Deuce-Deuce: When two jokers are added to the deck, serving as the highest-ranking spades, it is Joker-Joker-Deuce-Deuce. This changes the hierarchy of cards and can significantly impact how players use spades rules.
• Blind Six: Players can choose to bid blind six, meaning they bid to win six tricks without looking at their cards. Successful bids in this variation earn bonus points, while failed bids result in penalties.

Scoring On MPL

Scoring is simple in spades. The player who makes the pre-determined number of tricks wins. This game is played for 500 points. However, if it is a shorter game, it can also be played for 200 points or even 100 points. A player who makes the contract scores 10 points for each trick they bid. And for any additional trick they make, they score 1 point each.

For instance, if you bid 5 tricks and win them all, you will earn 50 points. However, if you bid 6 tricks and win 7, you will be awarded 61 points. But if you are unable to fulfill the contract and win no tricks, your points go down to 0.

Why Play Spades on MPL?

Playing Spades on MPL offers a fun gaming experience with several advantages.

• You can play with beginners and even experts, as per your preference.
• You get to enjoy exciting features, which include tournaments and leaderboards.
• MPL allows players to showcase their skills and compete for cash prizes.
• You can indulge in a user-friendly interface that ensures fair gameplay.
• MPL allows players to earn points or coins, which can be redeemed for rewards, making the game rewarding.
• MPL offers convenience as it can be played on your smartphone.

Spades Tips & Tricks

Let's understand the best tips to help you win the game!

You don't need the highest cards to win 

Having the highest cards isn't always essential for victory. The key is to strategically play lower cards to avoid wasting high ones when the trick is unlikely to be won. Timing and teamwork are crucial, allowing players to outsmart opponents and secure tricks efficiently. 

Make sure you use the highest non-spade cards first 

In Spades, one main strategy you can use is to play your highest non-spade cards first when leading a trick. This approach ensures that you retain valuable spade cards for later tricks, especially when spades are trump. By using your high-value non-spade cards properly, you increase your chances of winning crucial tricks and achieving your bidding goals.

Be wise with your trick bid 

In spades, always trick bid wisely. It is crucial for success. Bidding too high can lead to penalties, while bidding too low may mean missed opportunities. Players should carefully evaluate their hands and their partner's bid to gauge their team's capabilities. Strategic bidding, combined with a clear communication strategy, is essential for securing the right number of tricks and ultimately winning the game.

Get rid of non-spade suit fast 

Players often aim to get rid of non-spade suits quickly, especially if they have a strong hand in spades. This strategy involves playing their non-spade cards early to ensure they don't get caught with high cards of other suits. It allows them to dominate tricks with spades and the game's trump suit and improve their chances of meeting their bid and accumulating points.

Let your opponents win if they are going up

In Spades, there's a strategic aspect to trick play. Allowing opponents to win tricks when you are confident they are going to reach their bid can be a clever move. This can lead to opponents accumulating bags, potentially causing them to exceed their contract and receive penalties. Careful timing and calculated concessions can be part of a winning strategy in the game.

Play Spades On MPL Today To Unleash Fun From The Comfort Of Your Home!

The classic Spades game is a popular online game. You can play the game on your smartphones or computers. Remember, always come up with a robust strategy. In this game, the highest score wins. So, aim to bid tricks accordingly and gather as many points as possible. Whether you're a seasoned player or new to the game, mastering the art of strategic bidding and trick-taking is your pathway to winning spades.