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Spades Tips and Strategies |
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| Spades Column of the Month -- January 2005
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| By Joe Andrews | |
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| Spades -- A Classic Card Game -- History and Milestones
The modern game of Spades has became immensely popular during the past ten years, thanks to the growth of the Internet. A review of several card game reference sources reveals that Spades descended from Whist. Spades also has a kindred spirit with Bridge, Pinochle, and other similar games featuring partnership play, bidding and a trump suit.
George Coffin, the great Bridge author, traced the roots of Spades to the Midwest. He determined that this game was introduced in Cincinnati, OH, sometime between 1937 and 1939. From there, it spread to other cities in the general region and eventually into the military. Spades was played extensively during World War II, as it was a fast paced game which could be interrupted at any time – especially during battle conditions!
The original game of Spades did not include Nil bids or bagging. Spades could be led at any time, and each player was required to bid at least two tricks. The game limit was 300 points. There are a few groups who still prefer this original version! The modern game (as is played on most sites and live events) features the more familar, and now standard, rules. Only the DN (Double Nil) bid is optional at some sites.
On any given evening, more than 50,000 Spades players can be found online at various sites. The MSN Gaming Zone features a number of very active Spades rooms, and a Rating List of more than 750,000 Spaders! In the mid 1990s, the predecessor to the Zone was "The Village". For those who like nostagia, here is a picture:
The Village
And now... some Spades milestones!
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| 1937 | The game of Spades is created in Cincinnati, OH. | |
| 1996 | AOL launches Worldplay, a fee-based Spades and Hearts site. | |
| 1996
| MSN Gaming Zone acquires the online game site, "The Village", and offers free versions of Spades and other games. | |
| 1997 | Duplicate Spades concept is created by Joe Andrews. | |
| 1998
| First live Spades Convention is organized by Nancy Landau in Indianapolis , IN. 150 players attend. | |
| 1998
| First live Duplicate Spades event is held in Indianapolis, IN. Two eleven-table games are conducted. | |
| 1998 | "Win At Spades" first edition (beginning and intermediate play) is published. | |
| 1999
| The U.S. Open Spades and Hearts Championships takes place in Las Vegas, NV, sponsored by MSN Zone. 350 players participate for a $10,000 Prize Fund. | |
| 2000 | Grand Prix Series is founded. The Second National event is held in Orlando, FL. | |
| 2000 | "How Not To Lose At Spades" by John Galt Strichman is published. | |
| 2001
| The Spades Connection live Spades series is launched with events in Nashville, TN and Indianapolis, IN. Zoners +Doll and +Catladie have the longest tenure with the series. | |
| 2001
| United States Playing Card Company acquires the rights to Joe Andrews' books. "The Complete Win At Spades" is released. | |
| 2002
| MSN Gaming Zone organizes a Grand Prix qualifying online Spades event. More than 750 Teams participate. S. Fleishman and D. Stowt are the winners. | |
| 2002, 03 | Grand Prix Nationals IV and V are conducted in Cincinnati, OH. | |
| 2003
| Expert Spades Forum by Jay Tomlinson, noted Spades Expert, is launched, and is an immediate success. | |
| 2004
| Grand Prix becomes The World Series of Spades, Hearts and Euchre. Chicago, IL hosts the annual event. | |
| 2004 | MSN Gaming Zone Spades rating list approaches 800,000 names! | |
| 2005 | The Spades Connection celebrates its Fifth Anniversary live event in Nashville, TN (see details below). | |
| 2005 | The MSN Spades Column begins its seventh year of publication! | |
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Hands of the Year -- The Lighter Side of Spades!
Here are four hands which were submitted to me by players who read this column. These hands actually occurred in the Zone Spades area. How would you bid and play the cards in each case? Assume you are the dealer, and a game has just started (first hand).
Hand A
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|  J 9 8 6 5 4 2
|  K
|  Q
|  J 8 7 3
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| Hand B | |
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|  Q 10
|  A K Q J 9
|  A K
|  A K Q 9
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| Hand C | |
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|  A Q 9 7 5 2
|  K J 9 2
|  A Q
|  K
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| Hand D | |
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|  8 7 5 3 2
|  5 3 2
|  J 4 3 2
|  3
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| Next month, you will read about the amazing results! | |
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Live Spades Events
The Spades Connection
5th Anniversary Commemorative Event
March 10-13, 2005 - Nashville, TN
You still have plenty of time to register for this classic live Spades tourney. Come and join your friends for lots of fun and great Spades competition! Check out the site:
The Spades Connection
Grand Prix: World Series of Spades VI
September 16-18, 2005 - Cleveland, OH
Last year, more than $10,000 was awarded at the Sixth Annual GP event. For more details, check out the site:
Grand Prix - The World Series of Euchre, Spades & Hearts
If you want to come to the World Series of Spades, please send an e-mail to heartsmoon@aol.com.
Happy New Year, everyone!
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