How It Works
Set Tables & Players
Enter your player count. Tables (4 players/table) are calculated automatically with fair bye balancing.
Share Live Link or QR
Players view their table and seat assignment on mobile browsers with zero signups or app downloads.
Automatic Rotations & Scores
Log scores after each round of hands. Watch table promotions and leaderboard points update instantly.
Official Progressive Spades Scoring Guide
In Spades, partnership bidding meets strict risk-reward scoring. Learn how contracts, overtricks (sandbags), set penalties, and nil bonuses determine tournament champions.
| Contract Outcome | Formula | Example (Bid 6 Tricks) | Key Rule |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contract Made (Exact) | 10 × Tricks Bid | Took 6 = 60 Points | Clean contract. Zero bags collected. |
| Contract Made + Bags | (10 × Bid) + (1 × Overtrick) | Took 8 = 62 Points (+2 bags) | Extra tricks add +1 pt each and 1 bag tally. |
| Contract Failed ("Set") | - (10 × Bid) | Took 5 = -60 Points | Team takes fewer tricks than bid. 0 trick pts scored. |
| Sandbag Penalty ("Bag Out") | -100 Points | 10 Bags = -100 deduction | Triggered at every 10th bag; counter rolls over. |
Nil & Blind Nil Bidding
A Nil bid is an all-or-nothing declaration that a player will take zero tricks:
- +100Nil Made: Awarded +100 bonus points. Partner still scores their separate contract.
- -100Nil Failed ("Broke Nil"): Penalty of -100 points. Any tricks taken by the nil bidder count as bags toward the partner!
- ±200Blind Nil: Bid before looking at cards. Awards +200 points if made; deducts -200 points if set.
Progressive Tournament Rotations
How tournament organizers run Spades night without lengthy 500-point slogs:
4 or 8 Deals per Round
Each player deals 1 or 2 hands. Round scores are tallied and recorded immediately on mobile.
Promotion to Table 1 (Head Table)
The top-scoring pair moves up a table and splits. Losers move down or stay and split partners.
Automated Bag & Penalty Math
Good Game Buddy handles cumulative bags and 10-bag deductions automatically, preventing score disputes.