Spar – Rules

Play Spar against the computer

1. Overview

What is it about? Spar is a classic in Ghana and Nigeria – played during breaks, at the market and among friends. Everyone holds five cards, and the first four tricks are only preparation. Whoever takes the last trick scores. It pays most to win with a small card – a 6 or a 7.

2. Cards and material

• Pack: 35 French cards: 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, jack, queen, king, ace in four suits – without the ace of spades.
• Ranking (high → low): A, K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6.
• No trumps.
• Face up and face down: Hands concealed, played cards stay face up.

3. Preparation and start

1. Dealing: Everyone gets 5 cards.
2. Start: The player after the dealer leads.
3. Next dealer: Whoever wins the round deals next.

Start example: You hold the 6 and king of hearts, the 9 of clubs, the ace of diamonds and the 7 of spades. You keep the 6 of hearts for the last trick.

4. Goal and winning

• A round: Whoever wins the fifth trick scores points.
• Game: The first to 10 points wins (or 15 or 5).

5. Play in detail

A trick.

1. The leader plays any card.
2. Following suit is compulsory; otherwise any card.
3. The highest card of the suit led wins.
4. The winner leads the next trick.
5. Cards stay face up in front of the players.

The last trick. Only it counts. Its value depends on the winning card.

Example with Players 1 to 4. Order: Player 1, 2, 4, 3.

1. In the first four tricks Player 1 plays high cards and wins the fourth with the ace of diamonds.
2. For the fifth trick Player 1 leads: 6 of hearts.
3. Player 2, Player 4 and Player 3 have no hearts left and discard.
4. Player 1's 6 wins the last trick: 3 points.

6. Scoring

• Double scoring (variant): Winning the last two tricks with a 6 or 7 makes both count.
• Recording: Points per player.

7. Special rules and situations

• With the ace of spades (variant): 36 cards.
• The winner deals: The winner of a round is the next dealer.
• Open cards: Everyone sees which cards have been played.
• Common mistakes: playing the 6 too early; failing to gain the lead in the fourth trick.

8. Variants

Standard in this description: 35 cards, only the last trick counts, game to 10.

When playing against the computer on cardgames.zone you play against one to four computer opponents (standard: four players), game to 10, 15 or 5 points, with optional double scoring and the ace of spades.

9. Tips for beginners

1. Keep a small card: A 6 in the last trick scores 3 points.
2. Win the fourth trick: Then you lead to the last.
3. Exhaust suits: If others have no cards in your suit, even a 6 wins.
4. Keep count: Played cards lie face up – use that.
5. High cards early: Aces and kings win you the lead.
6. Watch opponents: Anyone still holding your suit can beat you.
7. One point beats none: Don't risk everything for the 6.

10. Summary in 10 steps

1. 35 cards (6 to ace, without the ace of spades).
2. 5 cards each.
3. No trumps.
4. Follow suit, otherwise any card.
5. The highest card of the suit wins.
6. The winner leads.
7. Only the fifth trick counts.
8. With a 6: 3 points, with a 7: 2, otherwise 1.
9. The round winner deals next.
10. First to 10 points wins.

11. Frequently asked questions

Do all tricks count?

No, only the last.

Why does the 6 score most?

Because it is hard to win with the lowest card.

Are there trumps?

No.

Why is the ace of spades missing?

That is traditional; the variant uses 36 cards.

Who deals the next round?

The winner of the round.

How long does a game take?

To 10 points about 15 to 25 minutes.

Origin & history

Spar is the best-known card game of Ghana. It belongs to the family of games in which only the last trick counts. The ace of spades is traditionally removed.