As of, standard four-player partnership Spades is played without passing cards to partners. The dealer gives each player 13 cards, players bid, and play begins. Spades are trump.
| Spades Rule | Standard Game |
|---|---|
| Pass cards before play | No |
| Exchange cards with a partner | No |
| Bid tricks | Yes |
| Deal 13 cards per player | Yes |
| Use spades as trump | Yes |
When Do Players Pass Cards in Spades?
Passing cards is a house rule or game variation, not part of standard Spades. Some groups pass three cards face down to a partner before bidding. Other versions allow a card exchange when a player bids Nil, Blind Nil, or Double Nil.
The number of cards and the timing depend on the version. Agree on those details before the hand begins.
Is Passing Cards the Same as Passing a Bid?
No. Passing cards and passing a bid are different rules. In standard Spades, each player must state a bid, including Nil.
Before dealing, confirm whether the table is using a card-passing variant.