THE FIRST TEAM TO SCORE 250 POINTS IN 60 MINUTES WINS
If no one reaches 250 in 60 minutes, the team with the highest score wins
THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME IS PLAYED TO 350 POINTS
DEALING & BIDDING
THE DEALER IS CHOSEN BY WHO PULLS THE HIGHEST CARD FROM DECK
BOARD / MINIMUM BID IS FOUR
UNDERBIDDING/SANDBAGGING
A team is penalized by 100 point deduction for accumulating 6 or more sandbags/overages during the course of the game
BLIND BIDDING
If a team is down 100 points they can blind bid a minimum of 6 books
THROWING YOUR HAND IN
Only permitted if no face cards or spades
GENERAL RULES
NO PASSING SPADES TO PARTNERS
IF IT'S PLAYED IT'S NOT LAID. A player can retract a card they have placed on the table, as long as they do so before the next player has played their card
SUBSTITUTE PARTNER
A SUBSTITUTE PARTNER IS ALLOWED IF A PLAYER HAS TO LEAVE THE TOURNAMENT
The new partner cannot be an active participant playing in the tournament (Aka The Sabrina Rule)
RENEGING
If you are caught reneging (not following the card suit when you have the suit) the other team gets three of your books
These books will not count as sandbags for the other team
NO CHEATING
NO CHEATING - No speaking over the tables
No touching the cards when down
No pointing
No saying allusive things with the intention to influence your partner's play