Two-player Spades is a 13-trick card game played with one standard 52-card deck. Instead of dealing 13 cards to each player, both players draw cards and decide whether to keep or discard them. Each player finishes with 13 cards, then plays a regular game of Spades.

Two-Player Spades at a Glance

Rule Two-player version
Players 2
Deck Standard 52-card deck
Cards per hand 13
Cards discarded 26
Trump suit Spades
Bidding Each player bids individually
Suggested winning score 500 points
Partnerships None

1. Build the Two Hands

  1. Shuffle a standard 52-card deck and place it face down between the players.
  2. Choose who draws first.
  3. The first player draws the top card without showing it.
  4. That player chooses to keep the card or discard it face up.
  5. The player draws a second card.
    • If the first card was kept, the second card must be discarded.
    • If the first card was discarded, the second card must be kept.
  6. The other player follows the same process.
  7. Continue alternating until both players have 13 cards.

Keep the discard pile face up so both players can see which cards are out of play. The players hold 26 cards between them, and the other 26 cards remain in the discard pile.

Example of the Draw Process

  • Player 1 draws the 8 of Hearts and keeps it.
  • Player 1 draws another card and discards it.
  • Player 2 draws the next card and chooses whether to keep or discard it.
  • Player 2 draws another card and must do the opposite.
  • The players continue until both hands contain 13 cards.

2. Bid the Number of Tricks You Expect to Win

Once both hands are complete, each player bids the number of tricks they expect to win.

A trick contains one card from each player. With 13 cards in each hand, the round has 13 tricks.

Players can bid from 1 to 13. You can also allow a nil bid, which means a player expects to win zero tricks. A successful nil bid commonly scores 100 points. Taking at least one trick after bidding nil usually results in a 100-point penalty.

Agree on nil bids before the game starts.

3. Play the Tricks

Use these Spades rules:

  1. The player who did not draw first leads the opening trick.
  2. The leader can play any card except a Spade, unless Spades have already been broken or the leader has only Spades left.
  3. The second player must follow the suit led if possible.
  4. If the second player cannot follow suit, they can play any card, including a Spade.
  5. The highest card in the led suit wins unless a Spade is played.
  6. If one or more Spades are played, the highest Spade wins.
  7. The winner of each trick leads the next one.
  8. Continue until all 13 tricks are complete.

For example, suppose the lead card is the 10 of Hearts and the other player has no Hearts. That player can play the 2 of Spades. The 2 of Spades wins because Spades are trump.

What Does "Breaking Spades" Mean?

Spades are broken when a player plays a Spade because they cannot follow the suit that was led. After that happens, either player can lead with a Spade.

A player must follow the led suit whenever possible. Playing a different suit despite holding a card in the led suit is called reneging.

4. Score the Round

Use individual Spades scoring:

Result Score
Meet or exceed your bid 10 points per bid trick
Extra tricks above your bid 1 point per extra trick
Fail to make your bid Lose 10 points per bid trick
Successful nil bid +100 points
Failed nil bid -100 points
Reach 10 bags -100 points

Scoring Example

If you bid 5 tricks and win 6:

  • 5 bid tricks × 10 points = 50 points
  • 1 extra trick = 1 point
  • Total = 51 points

If you bid 5 tricks and win only 4, you score -50 points.

Extra tricks are called bags. Ten accumulated bags usually result in a 100-point penalty, so bidding too low can hurt over several rounds.

5. Decide When the Game Ends

The simplest option is to play until one player reaches 500 points. The player with the higher score at that point wins.

For a shorter game, agree to play a fixed number of rounds, such as five or seven. The player with the higher total score at the end wins.

For a straightforward two-player game, use these rules:

  • The first player draws first.
  • The second player leads the opening trick.
  • Each player bids for themselves.
  • Players must follow suit when possible.
  • Spades are trump.
  • The game ends at 500 points.
  • Nil bids are allowed only if both players understand the scoring.

Some versions let the first bidder lead the opening trick instead. Agree on that detail before starting.

Tips for Winning Two-Player Spades

  • Watch the discards. If an Ace, King, or high Spade is discarded, it cannot be in your opponent's hand.
  • Bid carefully. You have no partner to help make your bid, so count likely winners conservatively.
  • Save Spades when you can. A low Spade can win a trick when your opponent has no card in the led suit.
  • Track suits. If your opponent cannot follow a suit, they may be able to trump that suit later.
  • Avoid unnecessary bags. An extra trick helps your score in the short term, but ten bags bring a 100-point penalty.
  • Use high non-Spades carefully. A high card can force your opponent to spend a Spade when they cannot follow suit.

This version keeps the usual Spades bidding, trick-taking, trump, and scoring rules while replacing the four-player deal with a keep-or-discard draw phase.