How to Play Spades With 6 People

How to Play Spades With 6 People
Written By
Johnny Kampis
Johnny Kampis
Published: Aug 27, 2008
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
2 minute read

Yes, it's possible to play spades when you have more than the standard four players. In this variation of the game, six players can partake in the action. Teams can be solo or divided into groups of two or three for an interesting twist to a standard spades game. In addition, the game is played with two decks of cards instead of one deck.

Decide how you want to divide the teams. This variation can be played solo, with three partnerships or in two teams of three.

Combine two standard 52 card decks. In order to ensure an even number of cards for each player, either discard both of the two of clubs (102 cards, 17 each) or add four jokers (108 cards, 18 each).

Agree on the protocol for when identical cards are played. In some variations, the first identically played card wins the trick. In a different variation, the last identical card wins the trick.

Play out the hands as normal, keeping score based on how the teams are separated. As in standard spades, the high card of a suit trumps lower cards of that suit. Spades trump all suits.

Continue play until you reach a predetermined score, often 500 points. If you are playing suicide spades in six teams of one or three teams of two, it is recommended you play to a lower score, or the games may last much longer than desired.

Things You'll Need:

Things You Will Need

  • Two decks of cards
  • Paper
  • Pen or pencil
  • Warnings:

    • Don't overbid. Remember tricks can be harder to come by with more players in the game.

    Tips

    It is easier to go nil or blind nil in this game. That's because there are more players who can catch tricks.

    Warnings

    Don't overbid. Remember tricks can be harder to come by with more players in the game.

    Johnny Kampis

    A veteran of the newspaper industry, Johnny Kampis has worked as a freelance writer since 2005. His articles have appeared in various publications including "The New York Times," "Atlanta-Journal Constitution" and the "San Francisco…

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