Spades Money-Game Agreement
Complete every line before dealing. Cross out unused options.
1. Players and teams
Players: ______________________________. Team A: __________ / __________. Team B: __________ / __________. Partners are: fixed / randomly drawn / rotated after each completed game.
2. Deck and ranking
Deck: standard 52 / joker variant / other: __________. Highest trump through lowest: ____________________. Cards removed: __________.
3. Bidding
First bidder: player left of dealer / other: __________. Minimum individual or team bid: none / __________. Table-total restriction: none / __________. Partners may not discuss live hands unless this explicit house rule applies: __________.
4. Nil and blind bids
Nil: allowed / not allowed. Successful nil: ______ points. Failed nil: ______ points. Failed-nil tricks count toward contract/bags: yes / no. Blind Nil or Blind Six: not used / conditions and value: ____________________.
5. Bags and target
Bag rule: −100 at 10 / none / other: __________. Bags after penalty: reset / remainder carries. Target score: ______. Tie or win-by rule: ____________________.
6. Stakes and loss cap
Format: fixed per game / per point / capped points / set / entry pool. Amount or rate: __________. Maximum team loss: __________. Maximum individual loss: __________. No stake changes during a game.
7. Misdeals and reneging
Misdeal conditions: wrong card count / exposed card / wrong dealer / other: __________. Call deadline: before bidding / before first lead / other: __________. Remedy: redeal / correct if possible / __________. Established renege penalty: ____________________.
8. Interruptions and time
Session ends at: __________. Breaks: __________. An interrupted game will be resumed / voided under these conditions / settled as follows: ____________________.
9. Scorekeeping and settlement
Scorekeeper: __________. Scores are verified after every hand: yes / no. Settlement occurs after each game / once at session end. Payment method: __________. Informal credit and loans are not allowed.
10. Disputes
Neutral decision-maker: __________. Evidence used: cards, score sheet, platform record, and written rules. Appeal or replay rule: ____________________. If no rule applies, money play pauses until all players agree.
11. Confirmation
By signing or verbally confirming, every player accepts the rules, stake, loss cap, and right to stop.
Player confirmations: ____________________ / ____________________ / ____________________ / ____________________
Date and location: ______________________________
How to use this agreement
Make one copy for the table. Choose one option in every category, write complete values instead of relying on slang, and let all four players read the finished sheet. If a player does not understand a rule, resolve it before shuffling. Keep the agreement with the score sheet until settlement is complete.
“Standard rules” is not enough when money is involved because tables differ on nil, bags, jokers, minimum bids, misdeals, and reneging. A blank field should mean the feature is not used, not that the host decides later.
Example completed choices
A simple low-risk setup might read: standard 52-card Ace-High deck; player left of dealer bids first; no minimum team bid; nil ±100; no blind bids or card passing; −100 at ten bags; target 300; one game for a $10 team stake; $5 maximum per person; redeal wrong counts called before bidding; established renege sets the offending team; settle once after the game; no credit.
This example is not mandatory. It shows the precision needed. A joker table should list the exact trump order. A per-point table should write the rate and cap. A timed session should explain whether an active hand is completed.
Fairness and responsible participation
Every participant may stop before a new game. Nobody may raise the stake to chase a loss, lend game money, hide a score change, or pressure a partner to continue. If the loss cap is reached, money play ends even if the card session continues free. If legality, age, impairment, or consent is uncertain, do not play for money.