Poor Etiquette at Spades

> Five Things Not to Do

 

Spades is a friendly game that is able to be enjoyed by all ages. While it is uncommon to see serious arguments in a friendly game, poor etiquette at spades can still be a source of hard feelings. These are the top five things that should not be done at a spades table. 

 

Don't Play Out of Turn

When you are playing spades it is your responsibility to keep track of the game as it is in progress. You should not play out of turn. The reason for this is that you may reveal information about your hand that is not permitted. For example, it can help if your partner knows what you are going to play before you play it. That may affect what they play, giving you an unfair advantage.

 

Don't Talk Across the Table

There are specific rules which govern what players can say or not say at the spades table. You are allowed to share information about your hand with one another within the rules for the purposes of partnership bidding. Any other talking between players is not allowed. Talking across the table means the improper sharing of information between team members. This is one of the worst examples of poor etiquette at spades.

 

Don't Reveal What Has Been Played

When playing a game of spades you are not allowed to reveal what has or has not been played up to a given point. In other words, you cannot tell your partner which cards have been played by which players. Again, it is the responsibility of each player to keep track of the game in progress.

 

Don't Criticize Your Opponents' Play

Another important example of poor etiquette at spades is criticizing your opponent's play. It can sometimes be tempting to point out examples of poor play by others, but doing so will not win you any friends at the game of spades. Even when you are just playing with family or friends, try to encourage them instead of putting them down.

 

Don't Throw Cards on the Table

In the heat of a competitive game it can be perfectly normal for players to become frustrated, especially when things are not going their way. If you are losing hands, do not throw your cards on the table in frustration. You should also not throw your cards onto the pile of cards when the game is in play. It is just rude and will mark you as a sore loser.

The point of any game should be to have fun. When you have poor etiquette at spades, you will not enjoy the game. You will also have a hard time finding people that want to play with you.