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  Spades Tips and Strategies

Spades Column of the Month -- December 2004

By Joe Andrews

I. Spades Annual Holiday Quiz -- Winners

Congratulations to "Justice4all" ("Jim S." of Metropolis, IL) for completing the quiz with the most correct answers (ten out of 13). Great job! The other winners ("Greg J." and Kim R.") have also been notified. I want to thank all 127 people who participated in the contest.

Here are the answers and analysis:

 Scenario # 1 -
Assume a new game, you are the dealer, and three "3" bids come around to you. What is your best bid with each of these hands?

a.   A 5 3 2

 A 10 5 3

 A 8 7 2

 J

Bid three.  I know that many players would routinely bid four, expecting to score three Aces and a club ruff.  I have always been reluctant to push a bid to 13 in fourth seat, especially at the beginning of a game. Partner may have bid King and Queen combinations in the red suits, and the duplication might cost you one of your Aces. However, I would try for a set here, and go for more than one club ruff, if that scenario plays out. (In the latter stages of a game, this hand could call for a four bid, especially if the score and bag count dictates it.)

b.   K Q J

 None

 K Q 10 9 4 2

 7 5 4 3

Bid two. You cannot assume that you will score a diamond trick, given the length of your suit. Heart ruffs are virtually useless, unless you can score three of them, and perhaps promote the nine or ten of spades in partner's hand. Partner may also have the Ace of spades with one or two small spots, thus creating a duplication situation. Keep an eye out for a set, if you are fortunate enough to win a high diamond, and partner has trump length.

c.   K 5 2

 K 9 7

 K 3 2

 K 7 5 4

Bid two. This "flat" hand with four unsupported Kings is very suspect.  You might win all four Kings if the Aces are on your right, or partner has three of them and one Ace is on your right. Then again, you might not win a single trick, if three Aces are on your left, your partner has the Ace - Queen of the fourth (side) suit, and someone is short in the same suit.  Take a safe course here with a comfortable two bid.

d.   None

 A K Q J 6 4

 A K J 10 9 6

 10

Bid two.  Do not Bid Nil, especially with the diamond suit holding.  Yes, if partner has a club honor, and can "pick up" both red suits, you will make a Nil. However, this is the first hand of a game.  If you were in the latter stage of a game and needed a Nil, then you would have to take the risk.

e.   6 5 3 2

 Q 9 7 3

 J 3 2

 8 3

Bid Nil! Yes, I know that four spade Nils are very shaky. However, you do have safe side suits, and the possibility of unloading a spade on a club ruff.  Partner may have four spades, or the player on your right may also hold four trump.  Your trump are very low (the deuce and three are luxuries).  The big threat is an opponent who is "short" in a red suit, and has the chance to reduce a four-card trump holding with a ruff or two. Also note that your hand has very little trick-taking power. Go for the Nil!

f.   10 9 7 5 4 2

 Q 7 6

 6 3

 Q J

Bid three.  This is a guess; however, a six-card trump suit without any of the top four honors should yield three tricks, barring a trump stack in one hand.  Partner may show up with two big trump, or a four-card suit. If this is the case, you might be able win four spade tricks, and go for a set.

Scenario # 2 -
Now the score is 458 – 439, in your favor. It is the tenth hand of a ten-hand-limit game.  Left hand opponent bids 4, partner calls with 2, and the right hand opponent chimes in with a 3 bid.  What is your bid in last seat?

(These classic end-game scenarios test the skill level of the typical player.  Remember, the opponents have bid a combined five and are threatening to win the game. Both sides have "bag" problems. Do the math!)

g.   A K Q 6

 K Q 5 4 2

 J 3

 10 6

Bid  three!  If your side wins the extra trick, there will be a tie. If your opponents win the extra trick, they will bag out and lose. If you set the opponents, you will also win, as they drop seventy points and you are still in the low 400's. I like the odds here.

h.   None

 A K J 10 8 7

 K Q J 9 8 5

 Q

Bid one!  This hand has a kindred spirit to another hand in the first section of the quiz.  The red suits are speculative, and the stiff Queen of clubs poses another problem.  The ops are clearly marked with strength  in spades. A set is unlikely. Thus, you must bag them!  The one bid signals this intention.  A Nil is almost impossible.

i.    Q 4 2

 A Q 3

 A Q 10 8

 K J 10

Bid four.  A three bid will leave you a bit short.  You have a hand which is rich in intermediate, finessable combinations. Go for the win!

j.    A 10 9 5 3

 None

 A 8 5 4 2

 6 4 2

Bid four.  You should win three spade tricks, and the diamond Ace.

k.   10 9 7

 Q J 10 8

 A K 10 9

 K Q

Bid four.  This hand is a beast with those middle cards.  You must be aggressive, and avoid a bagging situation. The possibility of a tie looms.

l.    K J

 K 9 8 7

 5 4 3 2

 A Q J

Bid three.  I would not object to a four bid; however, the heart King and spade honors are not sure tricks.  The possiblity of pinning a bag on the opponents also lurks in the weeds!

m.  A 5 2

 K J 9 7 5 3 2

 A Q

 4

Bid four. Be aggressive!  You might win a diamond finesse.  Surely a club ruff is a high probability.  Do not force the heart suit, as the ops may be scoring easy cuts.  A conservative plan is to bid three, and hope for a bagging option.  Decisions, decisions...

II. Spades Events

The Spades Connection
5th Anniversary Commemorative Event
March 10-13, 2005 - Nashville, TN

Come on down to Nashville, and check out this classic "live" Spades Tourney!  Last March, more than 150 players attended -- the largest gathering of Spaders since the Vegas '99 Nationals!  Your entry fee covers the registration for the event, three superb meals, and lots of giveaway prizes.  The competition is quite keen.  Check out the details at the Spades Connection website!

The Spades Connection

Grand Prix: World Series of Spades VI
September 16-18, 2005 - Cleveland, OH

Grand Prix - The World Series of Euchre, Spades & Hearts

Twenty MSN Zone players will be invited to attend, as part of the 2005 event!  These are special invites in addition to the regular qualifiers.

If you want to come to the World Series of Spades, please send an e-mail to heartsmoon@aol.com.

Season's Greetings and Happy Holidays to All!