In standard partnership Spades, the first team to reach 500 points wins the game. Some groups play to 300 points or another target, so agree on the winning score before dealing.
Rules checked:
Spades Scoring at a Glance
| Result | Typical score |
|---|---|
| Each trick covered by the bid | 10 points |
| Each trick won above the bid | 1 point, called a bag |
| Failed bid | Usually minus 10 points per trick bid |
| Successful nil bid | Commonly +100 points |
| Failed nil bid | Commonly -100 points |
| Winning score | Usually 500 points |
For example, if a partnership bids 6 tricks and wins 7, it scores 61 points: 60 points for the bid plus 1 point for the extra trick.
What Happens When a Team Reaches 500 Points?
The game normally ends after the hand is scored if a team reaches or passes the agreed target. In the most common format, that target is 500 points.
Some rule sets also subtract 100 points when a team collects 10 bags. Confirm the bag penalty before the game starts.
Are All Spades Games Played to 500?
No. Spades rules vary by household, app and tournament. 500 points is the standard choice, but players may agree to play to 300 points or another total before the game begins. Bicycle Cards describes the winning score as a number chosen before play, while common partnership rules use 500 points.
For a standard game, agree to 500 points before dealing.