Deal variations in spades

Spades is a game that has many variations to the basic rules. Deal variations in spades for money are common, and they can vary from game to game. Variations of this type would fall under the category of house rules. As long as the teams playing are willing, the deal variations can be permitted.

Here is a look at some of the most common deal variations in spades and why they are used.

What is a Deal Variation?

In the game of spades each round of play is conducted according to a specific routine. The first part of the round is to deal the cards to each player. The standard deal involves each player receiving a card in turn until all 13 cards have been dealt. This aspect of the deal does not change. It cannot if one wishes to play spades properly.

The main thing in a spades deal is that each player receives 13 cards. How one gets there is not a hard and fast rule. A deal variation can affect the order in which the cards are dealt and other factors as we will see.

Deal variations in spades are a novelty. They are sometimes included in a game of spades to try and change things up a little bit. They may make the game a little bit more entertaining. Some deal variations may even confer some advantages to the players at the table.

At the end of the day, you do not need to use a spades deal variation. In fact, some players are dead set against them. They think that these special ways of dealing are unnecessary, and that they even complicate the game.

The Power Check Spades Deal

In this deal all players at the table are given the opportunity to observe a card or two in other player's hands. It is done by randomly dealing a card face up during the regular deal. The player conducting the deal can decide which hands are turned face up.

There are a few rules regarding this type of deal. First, every player must receive a face up card. You cannot deal one player a face up card and deal everyone else a normal card. Also, the number of cards that can be revealed is limited by agreement between the players before the game begins. The usual number is a maximum of 2 cards. Often, only one card is revealed.

Some teams prefer to limit the power check deal to the first card that is dealt. After this first face up card falls, all other cards have to be dealt face down.

What is the purpose of the power check spades deal? It is to give players information about an opponent's hand. It can also provide information about your teammate's hand. That information can then be used to inform your own bid.

Dealer Checks the Bottom Card

When the cards are dealt normally in a game of spades, the dealer will always receive the last card in the deck. Sometimes, you will see a player glimpse the bottom card once the cards have been shuffled before the deal begins. This is perfectly fine because the player is ultimately going to receive that card.

This is not really a deal variation. It is just a novelty that you can enjoy. Just be careful that you don't offend any other players by doing it. Even though it is legal and changes nothing, some players still don't like it.

Dealing Randomly to All Players

The second-most common type of deal variation in spades that you will encounter is randomly dealing to all the players at the table.

In a normal spades deal, the cards are dealt in a clockwise fashion from left to right. When the random deal variation is used, the dealer can choose to deal the cards in any order that they choose. The only requirement is that each player receives 13 cards.

You have to use extra care when making this type of deal in the game of spades. It can be easy to lose count and misdeal. If you choose to deal randomly and then cause a misdeal, be prepared to encounter some complaints from your fellow players.

In our opinion, deal variations in spades are an amusement and nothing more. They are fine if you are playing with family and friends in a normal game. However, be prepared to leave these amusements behind if you are playing a spades tournament against opponents that you do not know. They will not be a part of that kind of format because that don't really add anything to the game.

Stick with the basic deal of the game, but keep the knowledge of variations in your toolbox in case you happen to encounter any of them when playing against new opponents.