Allen-Busby Family Reunion 2026
Spades
Invitational
Before You Sit Down
How It Works
Think you know how to play spades? Think again. The tournament director assigns a different rule set to each table — Blind Nil, bag limits, custom bidding rules — you won't know what you're walking into until you sit down. Adapt or go home.
Learn Before You Play
Standard Rules
These apply at all tables unless the director's variation overrides them.
4 players per table — 2 teams of 2 partners. Partners sit across from each other.
Standard 52-card deck. Spades are always trump — they beat every other suit.
Rounds 1 & 2: first team to 500 points wins. Finals: first team to 750 points wins.
Partners bid together each round. Miss your bid and lose points equal to your bid × 10.
Nil bids (0 tricks) are allowed unless the table variation says otherwise.
No reneging. If caught, the offending team loses 3 tricks. Director's ruling is final.
Spades cannot be led until broken — unless you have no other suit in hand.
No debates at the table. Flag it, play on, director resolves after the hand.
Tournament director's ruling is final. Period.
Know Before You Sit
Possible Table Variations
One rule set will be assigned to your table. Study them all.
Sandbagging — 3 in Hand
Taking 3 or more extra tricks in a single hand triggers an immediate penalty regardless of total bag count.
Sandbagging — 10 Tricks
Every 10 accumulated bags = −100 points. Standard bag rule — watch your overbidding all game.
Nil Allowed
Standard nil bidding is active. Bid 0 tricks, let your partner carry — make it and score, miss it and pay.
2 Sets is Game
Get set twice and it's over. Your team loses the match immediately. No comeback allowed.
No 9's · No Blinds
You cannot bid 9. You must bid 8 or lower, or 10 or higher. Blind nil is also not allowed at this table.
Books Made — 5/5
If both teams' combined bid is 10 or less, skip the hand — both teams collect 50 points automatically and redeal.
Hardcore — Lock It Up
Team 1 bids first. Team 2 must bid whatever makes the total exactly 13. No negotiating. Lock it up.
Joker · Joker · Deuce · Deuce · Ace
2♣ and 2♥ removed. Big Joker + Little Joker added. Trump order: Big Joker → Little Joker → 2♦ → 2♠ → A♠. Deck stays 52.
Tournament Setup
Team Assignments
Enter up to 16 players (minimum 4). Blank slots are ignored. Click Randomize to pair teams.
Single Elimination
The Bracket
First to 500 · 7:00 PM
First to 500 · ~8:30 PM
First to 750 · ~10:00 PM
No pre-registration. No teams. No excuses.
Show up Friday, sign in, and find out who your partner is.