Standard four-player Spades is a game dealt from a 52-card deck, with 13 cards for each player. Remove the jokers, shuffle the deck, and deal one card face down at a time clockwise, starting with the player to the dealer's left. All 52 cards are dealt, so no cards remain in the middle.
Spades Dealing Rules at a Glance
| Rule | Standard setup |
|---|---|
| Players | 4 players |
| Partnerships | 2 teams of 2 |
| Seating | Partners sit opposite each other |
| Deck | 52 cards, no jokers |
| Cards per player | 13 |
| Dealing method | One card at a time |
| Direction | Clockwise |
| Remaining cards | None |
How to Deal the Cards
Choose the first dealer. Many groups have each player draw a card, with the highest card becoming the dealer. Other groups choose a dealer. After each hand, the deal usually moves clockwise.
Seat partners across from each other. Four players form two partnerships, with each player sitting opposite their partner.
Remove the jokers and shuffle the deck.
Deal to the player on the dealer's left. Give that player one card face down, then continue clockwise around the table.
Continue for 13 rounds. Each player should have exactly 13 cards at the end.
Begin bidding. Each player states how many tricks they expect to win. The player to the dealer's left commonly bids first.
Important Dealing Details
- Give every player exactly 13 cards.
- Do not set aside a kitty in standard four-player Spades.
- Spades are mixed into the deck and dealt like every other suit.
- The first card goes to the player on the dealer's left, not to the dealer.
What Changes with Other Numbers of Players?
Spades for three, five, or six players uses house rules or a modified deck. The number of cards dealt may change, and some versions remove specific low cards. For the standard game, use four players, one 52-card deck, and 13 cards per player.