How to Bid in Spades: A Simple Counting Method
Most lost Spades games come from bad bids, not bad play. This simple count gets you close almost every time.
Step 1: side suits
- Ace: 1 trick (less if you hold 6 or more of that suit).
- King with at least one other card: about ¾ of a trick, ½ if the suit is long.
- Queen: only counts with A or K in the same suit and 3–4 cards.
Step 2: spades
- A♠: 1. K♠ with another spade: 1. Q♠ with two others: about 1.
- Every spade after your third: 1.
Step 3: shape
A void or singleton in a side suit is worth about ½ to 1 extra trick, if you have spades to spare after counting your high ones.
Step 4: adjust
- Round to the nearest whole number. Don't stretch for an extra half-trick.
- If your partner already bid high, round down; if they bid low or Nil, be honest about your strength.
Example
Hand: ♠ A Q 7 4 · ♥ K 6 · ♦ A J 9 5 3 · ♣ 8 2.
Side suits: A♦ = 1, K♥ (with one) = ¾. Spades: A♠ = 1, Q♠ with two others = about 1, 4th spade = 1. Shape: two doubletons, small extra. Total about 4¾ → bid 4 or 5; 4 if your partner bid big.
When to bid Nil
No Aces, nothing above 10♠, three or fewer spades, and no long suit with high cards. Cheettukali suggests a bid every hand, including Nil when it fits.
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FAQ
How do you count tricks in Spades?
Count Aces as 1, protected Kings as about ¾, A♠ and K♠ as 1, each spade after the third as 1, and add a little for voids and singletons.
What is a normal bid in Spades?
Most hands are worth 2 to 4. The four bids usually add up to 10 to 13.