Royal Playing Deck • Hood Spades house rules. Agree on table variations before the first hand. Follow the suit led whenever you can.
Reneging
Failing to follow the suit led when you hold that suit is reneging. Penalty: lose three books.
SET
If you bid seven books and take only six, you are SET: you failed to make your bid.
Dime / Ten
Win ten books in one hand and you've run a Dime. Under these table rules, the opposing team is SET. Taking only three books gives the other team a Dime.
Boston
Win all 13 books in a hand.
Game Over
Get caught telling or signaling your partner which good cards you hold? The game ends immediately. Next teams up.
Out the Gate
Spades may be played at any time, subject to the agreed follow-suit rule.
Broken
Under the Broken option, Spades may be led after the first Spade has cut a trick. The gate is open. Agree whether the table uses Out the Gate or Broken before playing.
Going Blind
For the special blind bid, blind two-card trade, scoring and Blind Boston rules, see the separate Royal Game Room | Going Blind page.