Spadester.com is owned and operated by Time Control, Cyprus

Spadester.com is owned and operated by Time Control, Cyprus

Spadester.com is a multi-player skill online spades game powered by Proprietary Software.

Spadester.com, want Spades to be fun, easy, and as competitive as you want it to be. That's why while Spades is usually based on a system of 200 or 500 points, here at Spadester.com it can be played in many ways.

Whether you're a beginner who's never played before or an experienced player who needs a refresher, this guide explains how to play the most popular versions of Spades: four individual players, three individual players (known as Cutthroat), and partnership played with two pairs of two. Spades is played with a standard deck of 52 cards which rank by suit and from lowest to highest: diamonds, clubs, hearts, and spades; 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, J, Q, K, A.

All versions of Spades start out similarly, with an equal number of cards dealt out to all players.

There 3 different versions of Spades: Individual, Cutthroat and Partnership.

When playing at Spadester.com, you will find that you have an exciting and dynamic software program to help your Spades game come alive.

Below, you can find comprehensive user guide to help explain and instruct you on how to use our software's features.

Table Information:
At Spadester, you are welcome to play in our regular tables or tournaments. The list of tables that you see below is set to regular tables by default. If you would like to join a tournament, please click on the tournament option at the top left hand side of the Lobby.

Aside from being able to choose between a regular table and a tournament table, you are able to choose between three different types of Spades games: Individual, Cutthroat and Partnership. By clicking the tab that coincides with your preferred game type, you will see a list of open tables. Learn more about how to play Spades


Ranking:
On the right hand side of your screen you will notice the various symbols that make up a deck of cards. These icons are used to indicate the various ranks of Spadester players. Upon registration, every player begins with the lowest rank of a single club. As you progress and continue playing, your ranking will improve to the second third and fourth levels of each of the various symbols.

News and Updates:
To learn about upcoming promotions, tournaments and new Spadester features please look at out "News and Updates" section located at the top right hand corner of the Lobby.

Switch to Real Money:
If you enjoy playing Spades for fun, you are sure to enjoy playing spades for money. Spadester.com is the first Spades website to allow you to play for both fun and money! To switch to play for real money, simply click on the blue "Switch to Money" located on top of the Vault (bottom left side of your screen). In this same location, you will also be able to see your account username as well as your up-to-date account balance.

Choosing a Table
To pick the table you would like to join, please click on the "Join" or "View" option listed next to every table in the Lobby. Once you have clicked on the desired option, a screen will pop-up automatically and you will see the Spades table.

* Please note: if you choose the "view" table option, you will not be able to play. The only exception to this rule is when 4 players are seated but there was an error on one of the player's computers that removed him from the table before the game officially started.

At this time the "Viewer" is invited to sit and join the game. Please keep in mind, the option in the Lobby will also change from "view" to "sit." If you do not see any of your friends online and you do not have a preference as to which table to join, please click on the "Sit Now!" button, located at the very top of the Lobby.

Joining the Game:
To join a game and commence playing, please click on any one of the "Sit Down" buttons. Once you and all of the other players have taken your positions, the game will automatically begin and each player will be able to make their bids in turn.

* Please note: The game will not be able to begin until all four (or 3 for Cut Throat games) players sit down. If there are only two players sitting at the table, the other players will have to wait until the remaining players have joined and sat down.

Joining the Game:
When you sit down, you will notice that a rectangular box appears where you can see your position, score, your bid, how many bags you have and your geographical location will be indicated by the (N = North), (S = South), (E = East) and (W = West) next to your username. Next to the starting player's bid and bag information, you will see the letter "D" in a gold colored circle to indicate that this player is the dealer.

At any time during the game you are able to check your stats by simply referring to this box.

Ranking
We have created a rating system to make your Spadester experience more exciting and competitive. With this ranking system, the skill level of each player can be determined and we could find the best Spadester player!

All Spadester players start at the same level. As you play and win more, you will climb the Spadester ladder, which will give you plenty of reason to brag about.

How Does It Work?
On the right hand side of the Lobby, you will see the ranking table. The icons in it are used to indicate the various ranks of Spadester players:

Your rank is determined by your point level, which will increase as your Spades game improves. As your points grow, and you meet each new level's minimum requirements, you will climb the ranking ladder. Every new Spadester gets 1,000 points to start with and can reach up to 3,600 points max.

The formula we use to calculate each player's ranking is fairly simple to follow:
There are two main factors in which to consider - Wins or Losses and the Ranking Difference (the difference in rankings between you and the opponents you played against).

Win or Lose: For each win you get 10 points while for each lose you lose 4 points.

On top of that, we know you deserve Extra Points for winning games against higher ranked players but, be carful, this goes the other way around too you will lose Extra Points if you lose a game to lower ranked players.

Here is how we add the Ranking Difference factor:

Ranking Difference: we take the average ranking points of each player prior to the game and compare it to your ranking. In case of a win, you get 1 Extra Point for each 150 ranking point difference between your ranking and the average ranking of your opponents.

In case of a loss, you lose 1 Extra Point for each 150 ranking point difference between your ranking and the winner's ranking.

Please keep in mind, the Extra Points are limited so you can get up to 10 Extra Points for a win and lose up to 20 for a loss. It is important to note, that the Extra Points are in addition to the initial automatic points given or taken away.

Spadester offers all three versions of Spades - Individual, Cutthroat and Partnership. The ranking system is the same in all three, with minor change. See the examples below for each version.

Let's say that prior to the game; the current rank of the players was the following: Player 1 with 1,000 points, Player 2 with 1,500, Player 3 with 2,000 and Player 4 with 2,500.

At the end of this game, Player 1 has placed first; therefore, he automatically receives 10 points. Players 2, 3 and 4 have effectively lost, they automatically lose 4 points.

Extra Point Calculation:
The average ranking between the three losing players is (1,500 + 2,000 + 2,500)/3 = 2,000.
The difference between the winners' rank and that average is 2,000 - 1,000 = 1,000.
The winner gets 1 Extra Point for each 150 points difference, meaning 1,000/150 = 7.
Therefore, Player 1 (the winner) gets 7 Extra Points.

The losers loses 1 Extra Point for each 150 points difference between their own ranking and the winner's ranking:

Player 2's difference is 500 (1,500 - 1,000 = 500), meaning he loses 3 Extra Points (1 point for each 150 point difference) and the same for Player 3; they lose 7 Extra Points and Player 4 loses 10 Extra points.

Total point calculation:
Player 1: 10 (for win) + 7 (Extra Points) = 17
Player 2: -4 (for loss) - 3 (Extra Points) = -7
Player 3: -4 (for loss) - 7 (Extra Points) = -11
Player 4: -4 (for loss) - 10 (Extra Points) = -14
These numbers are than added to the ratings of each player.

Let's say that prior to the game, the current rank of the players was the following: Player 1 with 1,000 points, Player 2 with 2,000 and Player 3 with 3,000.

At the end of this game, Player 1 has placed first; therefore, they automatically receive10 points. Players 2 and 3 have effectively lost, so they automatically lose 4 points.

Extra Point calculation:
The average ranking between the two losing players is (2,000 + 3,000)/2 = 2,500.
The difference between the winner's ranking and that average is 2,500 - 1,000 = 1,500.
The winner gets 1 Extra Point for each 150 points difference, meaning 1,500/150 = 10.
Therefore, Player 1 (the winner) gets 10 Extra Points.

The losers lose 1 Extra Point for each 150 points difference between their own ranking and the winner's ranking:
Player's 2 difference is 1,000 (2,000 - 1,000 = 1,000), meaning they lose 7 Extra Points. In the same way, Player 3 loses 13 Extra Points.

Total points calculation:
Player 1: 10 (for win) + 10 (Extra Points) = 20
Player 2: -4 (for loss) -7 (Extra Points) = -11
Player 3: -4 (for loss) -13 (Extra Points) = -17

These numbers are then added or subtracted from the ratings of each player.

In Partnership games, the ranking formula explained above works in the same way. Each player on the winning Team will receive 10 points automatically, while the players on the losing team will automatically lose 4 points.

Let's say that prior to the game, the current rank of the players was the following: Player 1 with 1,000 points, Player 2 with 1,500, Player 3 with 2,000 and Player 4 with 2,500.

At the end of this game, Team 1 has won; therefore, Players 1 and 2 automatically receive 10 points each. Players 3 and 4 (losing team) automatically lose 4 points each.

Extra Points calculation:
We compare between the average rankings of each team.
Team 1 average ranking: (1,000 + 1,500) / 2 = 1,250
Team 2 average ranking: (2,000 + 2,500) / 2 = 2,250

The players on the winning team (Player 1 and 2) get 1 Extra Point for each 150 points difference between the averages, meaning (2,250 - 1,250) / 150 = 7.
Therefore, Player 1 and 2 get 7 Extra Points each.

The losers lose 1 Extra Point for each 150 points difference between the averages, meaning (1,250 - 2,250) / 150 = 7.
Therefore, Player 3 and 4 get 7 Extra Points each.

Total points calculation:
Player 1: 10 (for win) + 7 (Extra Points) = 17
Player 2: 10 (for win) + 7 (Extra Points) = 17
Player 3: -4 (for loss) -7 (Extra Points) = -11
Player 4: -4 (for loss) -7 (Extra Points) = -11

These numbers are then added or subtracted from the ratings of each player.

General Game information

Game Time:
Each player has the same amount of time to play a card. A status bar will appear when it is your turn to play, to indicate how much time you have to play. Should you surpass the time; a card will be played for you automatically. Each game lasts for 8 rounds. Once these 8 rounds have taken place, Spadester.com will automatically tally your scores and the game result will be displayed.

Previous:
To see your previous score, please click on the "Previous" button.

Leave Table:
If you would like to abandon the game and leave the table, please click on the "Leave Table" button.

Next:
If you are looking at a previous score, you will have the option to click "Next" in order to see the more recent score. If you are viewing your most recent score, then you will not have the option to click on the "Next" button.
At the end of the game, a pop-up screen will appear with the final score and an announcement of the game winner(s).

Help:
If you require help of any kind, whether it be about Spades itself or general site knowledge, please click on the help option located at the bottom right side of your table screen, or contact us.

Lobby:
By clicking on the "Lobby" button at the bottom right side of your screen, you are able to return to the Lobby.

Account Balance:
Your account balance is updated in real time as you make wagers. In order to check your most current account balance while in the middle of a game, simply refer to the "Real Money" area at the bottom left hand side of your screen.