Learn to play
New to SHNARPS?
Learn the game in 2 minutes — play a quick practice round.
The goal
Everyone starts on 16. First to 0 wins. Reach 33 and you're out.
Bidding
Each round you bid the minimum number of tricks you think you'll take, or pass. Every new bid must beat the current high bid.
Trump
The high bidder picks the trump suit. Trump beats every other suit; the highest trump wins the trick.
Follow suit
You must follow the suit that was led if you hold it. Otherwise play anything. Cards you can't legally play are dimmed.
Scoring
Every trick you win takes a point off your score. Fewer points is better.
Make your call
The high bidder must take at least their call. Miss it and you're BUMPED — always +5 points, whatever the size of the call.
Active players
Any non-bidder who plays must take at least one trick. Zero tricks means PUNTED — plus 5 points.
Sitting out
You can sit out at most 2 rounds in a row. Players on 3 points or lower must play — no sitting out. If the winning call is 1, or spades are trump, everyone plays.
Left alone
If everyone sits out, the high bidder either punts the table or takes -5 points.
Call of 1
If the winning call is 1 trick, everyone must play the round. No player can sit out, whatever the trump suit: 1 ♦, 1 ♥, 1 ♣ or 1 ♠ = EVERYONE PLAYS.
Spades
If spades are trump, everyone must play — no sit-outs.
Spade Out
Sweep all five tricks in a spades round and you win the entire game instantly.