Spades Tournaments
The game of spades is usually played in homes among a group of friends or family members. There are also other spades competitions, and these include spades tournaments. A tournament brings together multiple teams who compete for bragging rights or for a prize. There can even be money awarded in some tournament events.
Before you rush out to join a spades tournament to play spades for money there are a few important things to know. Here is some basic information that will improve your chances at success.
The Spades Tournament Format
Most spades tournaments are usually held under the standard format that is used in other tournament events. This means that a bracket is used to determine the initial match-ups as well as those which follow. The brackets are simpler to manage when there are are an even number of teams, and even more simple when the total number of teams is a multiple of four.
For example, if you have 8 total teams in the tournament a simple format would look like this:
Round 1
- Team 1 Vs. Team 2
- Team 3 Vs. Team 4
- Team 5 Vs. Team 6
- Team 7 Vs. Team 8
Round 2 would then pit the winners of each match against one another:
- Team 2 Vs. Team 3
- Team 5 Vs. Team 8
The final round would include the winners from Round 2, and the winner of that match would win the tournament.
This is a very simple example of how spades tournaments are played but there are also variations to the basic format.
Spades Tournament Variations
One of the most popular variations of the general bracket format is known as Double Elimination. In this type of tournament a team must lose two games before they are eliminated from the tournament. This type of tournament uses a second bracket. When a team loses in the main bracket they are moved to the second bracket. Losing in the second bracket means being eliminated from competition.
Many spades players prefer this type of format over others because it reduces the possibility of being eliminated on a fluke. In other words, a team might have an unlucky start to the game and get set three times in a row. This would cause them to lose the game under the mercy rule. Or, a team could catch all the books on the first hand of play and eliminate their opponents without having to even play a full game. Double Elimination gives everyone a second chance.
The Round Robin tournament style is another popular spades tournament variation. In this type of contest every team must play every other team. The team with the most wins is ultimately declared the victor.
Make sure you know which type of spades tournament that you are entering before you proceed.
Spades Tournament Rules
Most spades tournaments proceed under the general rules of spades that we have detailed on this website. A list of the complete rules will usually be provided to all players that have entered the tournament. It is the responsibility of the team to make sure they are clear on the rules before the tournament begins.
The penalty for breaking the rules in a spades tournament can be mild or severe depending on the infraction. Violations like sharing information with a teammate or trying to communicate illegally about the cards one holds will bring the toughest penalties. Usually this means getting disqualified from the tournament.
There is also the possibility that house rules will be added to the tournament. These are special rules that you may or may not be familiar with. An example of a house rule in spades would be First Hand Bids Itself. In this house rule there is no bidding allowed on the first hand. The hand is simply played and points are awarded for the total number of books caught.
Again, it is your personal responsibility to understand all the rules of the tournament before you decide to enter. Ignorance of the rules will probably not be accepted as an excuse when you are caught breaking one.
How to Enter Spades Tournaments
Spades tournaments are easy to enter in most cases. You will sign up and pay any registration fee that is required. You will then be assigned your first match and show up to play at the appropriate time.
In most cases you and your regular spades partner will be able to enter a tournament together. All you need to do is register as a team. There are some spades tournaments that assign partners from the pool of registered players. This can be fun, but it can also be challenging if you have never played with a person before.
Fees that are charged to enter a spades tournament go to the prize pool. The entity that is sponsoring the tournament may or may not keep a portion of the entry fees to cover other expenses of hosting the tournament. The host should make it clear how the entry money is being used in the tournament.
You can have a fun time playing spades in the tournament format. You may even be able to win a little bit of money. Good luck
