Rules of Spades

Playing a Trick

• The player to the dealer's left leads the first trick by playing any card, but spades cannot be led initially unless the player has only spades. This is called “breaking the spades”.
• Each player must follow suit if they can. They may play any card, including a spade if they can't.
• The highest card of the suit led wins the trick unless a spade is played. If spades are played, the highest spade wins the trick.
• The winner of the trick leads the next one.

Trump Suit

• Spades are the permanent trump suit in the game, meaning they will always outrank cards of any other suit. The spades need to be “broken” first so that they can be used to lead a trick. Spades can be broken when a player cannot follow the leading suit and therefore can play any suit, including a spade.