About Cutthroat Spades
The game supports two distinct modes. Four-player Cutthroat uses a standard 52-card deal, with 13 cards given to each player. The two-player game is very different: instead of receiving dealt hands, the players build their 13-card hands through a shared draft.
During each drafting turn, you draw one card and choose whether to keep or discard it. You then draw a second card, which is automatically assigned to the opposite choice. Keep the first and the second is discarded; discard the first and the second is kept. This continues until both players have 13 cards, leaving 26 cards unused for that hand.
Nil and Blind Nil remain available despite the lack of partners. A successful Nil scores 100 points, while taking a trick loses 100 points. Blind Nil is available only when you are trailing by at least 100 points and scores plus or minus 200. The first player to reach 500 points wins, although the higher score wins if multiple players cross 500 during the same hand.
How to play Cutthroat Spades
In two-player mode, you draft your hand. On each turn, you see one card. Keep it and the next card is automatically discarded, or discard it and the next card is automatically kept. Continue until both players have 13 cards.
In four-player mode, all 52 cards are dealt, giving each player 13 cards.
Once the hands are ready, bid the number of tricks you expect to take. Bid Nil if you expect to take none. Blind Nil is available only when you are at least 100 points behind and must be declared before seeing or building your hand.
Follow the suit led if you can. If you cannot, you may play any card, including a spade.
You cannot lead spades until they have been broken. Spades are broken when someone plays a spade because they cannot follow the suit led.
A spade beats any card of another suit. Otherwise, the highest card of the suit led wins the trick.
Make your bid and score 10 points for each trick you bid. Each extra trick is a bag worth 1 point. Miss your bid and lose 10 points for each trick you bid.
Collect 10 bags and lose 100 points. Any excess bags carry forward. Each player tracks their own bags.
Successful Nil scores 100 points; failed Nil loses 100. Blind Nil doubles both amounts.
The first player to reach 500 points wins. If multiple players pass 500 in the same hand, the highest score wins.
Cutthroat Spades strategy and tips
Bid for the hand you can play alone
Every bid is your own risk. You have no partner to make up the difference if you fall short, so count your likely winners and consider how easily opponents could stop them.
Plan for both cards in the two-player draft
Your decision about the first card determines what happens to the unseen second card. Keep the first and the second is discarded. Discard the first and you must keep the second. Weigh the value of a known card against the risk of an unknown one.
Watch what your opponents reveal
In two-player mode, note the cards your opponent keeps and discards during the draft if those choices are visible to you. In four-player mode, compare each player’s bid with the suits they play and the suits they appear to lack.
Be cautious when bidding Nil
Nil is harder to protect without a partner who can take a dangerous trick for you. Look for high cards in other suits as well as spades that might force you to win. Blind Nil carries even more risk because you declare it before seeing or building your hand.
Cutthroat Spades FAQs
Is Cutthroat Spades a partnership game?
No. Every player bids, plays and scores individually, unlike partnership Spades.
How many players can play Cutthroat Spades?
This version supports two-player and four-player games. Four-player mode uses a standard deal, while two-player mode uses a draft to build each hand.
How does the two-player draft work?
Players take turns drawing from a shared face-down pile. On your turn, you see one card and choose whether to keep or discard it. The next card takes the opposite outcome automatically: keep the first and the second is discarded; discard the first and the second is kept. Play continues until both players have 13 cards.
What is Nil, and can I bid it without a partner?
Nil is a bid to take no tricks and is available in both modes. Taking no tricks scores 100 points; taking even one trick loses 100 points.
What is Blind Nil, and when can I use it?
Blind Nil must be declared before you see or build your hand. It is available in either mode when you are at least 100 points behind. Taking no tricks scores 200 points; taking any trick loses 200 points.
How do you win Cutthroat Spades?
The first player to reach 500 points wins. If more than one player reaches 500 in the same hand, the player with the higher final score wins.