How to Keep Score in Spades: Complete Beginner's Guide

Learning how to keep score in Spades is essential for enjoying this classic card game. Whether you're playing with family, friends, or in tournaments, understanding the scoring system ensures fair play and adds strategic depth to every hand.

Basic Spades Scoring Rules

Spades uses a straightforward scoring system based on bids and tricks:

Successful Bids

• 10 points per bid made (e.g., bid 4, make 4 = 40 points)
• 1 point per overtrick (called "bags")
• Example: Bid 4, make 6 = 40 points + 2 bags = 42 points

Failed Bids

• Lose 10 points per bid (e.g., bid 5, make 3 = -50 points)
• No points awarded for any tricks taken

Nil Bids

• Successful nil: +100 points
• Failed nil: -100 points
• Your partner still scores normally

Blind Nil (Optional)

• Successful blind nil: +200 points
• Failed blind nil: -200 points

Understanding Bag Penalties

One of the most important aspects of Spades scoring is tracking bags (overtricks):

• Every trick over your bid counts as 1 bag
• Bags accumulate across rounds
• Every 10 bags = -100 point penalty
• After penalty, bag count resets to 0

Example:

• Team has 8 bags
• New round: Bid 5, make 7 = +52 points and 2 more bags
• Total bags: 10 = -100 penalty applied
• Bags reset to 0

How to Track Spades Scores

Traditional Method (Paper)

1. Draw columns for each team
2. Record bids before play starts
3. Count tricks taken after each hand
4. Calculate points and track bags
5. Add to running total

Digital Method (Recommended)

Using a free online Spades scorecard eliminates calculation errors:

• Automatic point calculations
• Bag penalty tracking
• Dealer rotation indicators
• Complete game history

Scoring Examples

Example 1: Standard Hand

Team A:

• Bid: 5 tricks
• Made: 5 tricks
• Score: 50 points (5 × 10)
• Bags: 0

Example 2: Overtricks

Team B:

• Bid: 4 tricks
• Made: 6 tricks
• Score: 42 points (4 × 10 + 2)
• Bags: 2

Example 3: Failed Bid

Team A:

• Bid: 6 tricks
• Made: 4 tricks
• Score: -60 points (6 × -10)
• Bags: 0 (no bags for failed bids)

Example 4: Successful Nil

Team B:

• Player 1: Nil bid, made 0 tricks = +100
• Player 2: Bid 4, made 5 tricks = +41 (4 × 10 + 1 bag)
• Team total: +141 points, 1 bag

Common Scoring Mistakes to Avoid

1. Forgetting to track bags - They accumulate silently!
2. Miscounting tricks - Pay attention during play
3. Wrong nil scoring - It's ±100, not based on tricks
4. Not resetting bags - After -100 penalty, reset to 0
5. Adding points for failed bids - Failed bids are negative only

How Many Points to Win?

Standard games go to 500 points, but variations include:

• Quick games: 250 points
• Extended games: 750 points
• Tournament play: Often 500 points

The first team to reach the target score wins!

Winning Score Strategy

Understanding scoring helps you make better bids:

• Conservative bidding - Avoid bags and penalties
• Aggressive bidding - Risk higher bids for more points
• Nil timing - Strategic nils can swing games
• Bag management - Sometimes underbid to avoid penalties

Track Your Scores Automatically

Manual score tracking can lead to errors and disputes. Our free online Spades scorecard handles all calculations automatically:

✅ Automatic point calculations
✅ Bag penalty tracking
✅ Dealer rotation
✅ Round history
✅ Mobile-friendly

Start tracking scores now →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do bags carry over between games?
A: No, bags reset when starting a new game. They only accumulate within a single game.

Q: What happens if both teams reach 500 on the same round?
A: The team with the higher score wins. If tied, play continues.

Q: Can you go negative in Spades?
A: Yes, failed bids and bag penalties can push your score below zero.

Q: How do you score with 3 players?
A: Same rules apply, but each player plays individually rather than in teams.

Start Playing with Confidence

Now that you understand how to keep score in Spades, you're ready to play! Use our digital score tracker to focus on strategy instead of math, and never argue about points again.

Try our free Spades scorecard →