SPADES RULES

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

JJDD (JOKER-JOKER-DEUCE-DEUCE) will be the primary card order rules for most Spades Bowl tournaments. This format makes the high card order rank BIG JOKER, LITTLE JOKER, DEUCE OF DIAMONDS, DEUCE OF SPADES.  See below for visual reference.

JOKER - JOKER - DEUCE – DEUCE

SPADE TOURNAMENT RULES Format:

Two individuals register as a team. Single elimination play.

Eliminated teams may stay and play informally,  but are considered “out” of the tournament.

 There will be a 45-minute time limit per match.

 If neither team has won the match in the time limit, the team ahead at the "stop" time will be declared the winner. If a hand is in progress at "stop" time, it will be played out and the results added to the score to determine a winner.

Should there be a tie score at the end of 45 minutes, a one-hand overtime will be played. The team with the highest score after the hand is played will be declared the winner.

 BE ON TIME

You will be allotted 10 minutes to get to your seat. After 10 minutes you will forfeit the game. No refund will be issued.

1. TEAMS - will be composed of 2 players who will sit directly across from each other when playing.

2. POINTS - Games will be to 350 points. A match will consist of 1 game. Scorekeeper will be agreed upon by the table prior to start of game.

 3. SPADE ORDER - The Dealer will deal all cards - 13 to each player. Spades are trump, ranking from High Joker, Low Joker, A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

 4. Definitions and Terminology:

A.  Book – refers to taking or winning one hand

b.  Bid – A player chooses the number of books that he/she will take. 

c. Bags – Number of extra books a team takes over their total bid. (example: a team bids 5 books total, but wins 7: result is 2 bags)  Set - When a team fails to win enough books to reach its total bid.

d. Blind – If a team says “blind”, that team must declare this prior to looking at his/her cards and must be at least 100 points behind.

e. Reneging – when a player fails to play the suit of the led card and later throws that same suit. (Example: Hearts are led, player A throws a spade to win the trick. Later, player A throws a heart. Player A has Reneged.)

 5. SCORING 1book = 10 pts. 1 bag = 1 pt. Failed Blind bid = - # of books bid X 10 pts. Reneging = -50 pts. Successful Blind bid = + # of books bid X 20 pts. Reaching 10 bags = -100 pts. Bidding and taking all 10 books = 200 pts. Not reaching a team bid = Minus (-) the # of books bid X 10 pts.

6. No “table talk” or giving hints to a partner will be allowed.

7. CUTTING THE CARDS - Dealer must offer the player to his/her right, the opportunity to cut the cards after they are shuffled.

8. MISDEAL - can be called for the following: o Player was not dealt exactly 13 cards or Player does not have any spades.

9. THE BID - Player to the left of the dealer bids first. Each player has the opportunity to bid once each hand, with the dealer having the last bid. Minimum bid for each team is 4 books.

10. BID ORDER - Players must bid in order, starting with the player directly to the left of the dealer.

11. FIRST HAND - The first hand is open. NO ONE WILL BID THE FIRST HAND.

12. LEADING CARD - Players must follow the suit of the led card, if they have a card of that suit. If a player does not have a card of that suit, they can choose to throw a spade or another suit. REFER TO RULE 22, if not followed.

13. SPADES - spade will “trump” or beat all other suits.

14. LEADING WITH SPADES - A player cannot lead with a spade until a spade has been played or that is all he/she has left in hand.

15. CARD LAID - “A card laid is a card played!” and cannot be picked up unless the original move is illegal.

16. JUDGES - The designated Judge must decide any protest or rule clarification before the next book is played.

17. No SWITCHING PARTNERS. If one of the team members is unable to play the team forfeits.

18. RENEGING – If you are caught reneging (not following the card suit when you have the suit) the other team gets three of your books. These books will not count as sandbags for the other team. The reneging team will get -50 points.

19. NO DISPLAYING/TURNING OVER OF CARDS - During the dealing or cutting process.

20. NO PASSING SPADES TO PARTNERS.

21. NO CHEATING – Spoken or by gesture. If cheating is suspected please inform the tournament judge immediately. A 75-point penalty or termination from the tournament is feasible.

22. NO SMOKING, LOUD TALKING, USING PROFANITY, AT THE TABLE. Those breaking/bending cards will be required to pay for a new set. Smoking must be done outside the building. Spectators cannot talk among themselves around the table or to players during a game.