GENERAL RULES

Spades Players/Teams must purchase tickets to register in advanced.  There will be no registration at the door.  There are a limited number of slots for teams, so purchase your tickets now! First come, first served.

No refunds.  Please ensure you and your partner are present to play.  Doors open at 3pm. Game Play starts at 3:30pm.
​
Don’t play but want to support? Individuals wishing to enjoy the event as a spectator are asked to pay a $5 donation.  Spectator tickets are available in advanced and at the door.

Tickets available at www.NewHavenAlphas.com or www.Eventbrite.com. 
You can also call  203-910-4308 or email [email protected].
​
If you would like to play but do not have a partner, you may purchase one ticket, and be placed on the 'singles list' and you will be randomly assigned a partner the day of play.

Game Rules

1.       Absolutely no gambling or side bets.  Individuals participating in said actions will be disqualified from the tournament.  No refunds will be given.  This is a networking fundraising event. Prizes are not monetary in value.

2.       No Elimination.  The winning team will be determined by the total points at the end of 5 rounds.

3.       Each team will randomly be selected to play 5 other teams over the course of the event.

4.       Each round will last 20 minutes. There will be intervals between each game to tally scores, network, grab a bite to eat or something to drink!

5.       The team that reaches 350 points at the end of the 20 minutes, wins that game. 

6.       If neither team reaches 350 points at the end of 20 minutes, the team with the highest number of points wins that game. 

7.       The losing team keeps their points earned. The winning team keeps their points earned and are awarded an additional 50 bonus points.  If the score is tied at the end of the 20- minute round, each team keeps their points earned.  If one or both of the teams has a negative score at the end of the round, the teams keep that negative score.5.  The standard 52-card pack is used.

8.       The spade suit is always trump. Rank of Cards A (high), K, Q, J, 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2.

9.       The object of the game is win at least the number of tricks/books bid.

10.       The first dealer is chosen by a draw for high card, and thereafter the turn to deal proceeds clockwise. The entire deck is dealt one at a time, face down, beginning on the dealer's left. The players then pick up their cards and arrange them by suits.

11.       Bidding: Each player decides how many tricks/books he or she will be able to take. The player to the dealer's left starts the bidding and, in turn, each player states how many tricks he expects to win. There is only one round of bidding, and the minimum bid is 1. Every player must make a bid; no player may pass. No suit is named in the bid, for as the name of the game implies, spades are always trump.

12.     The Play: The game is scored by hands, and the winner must make a certain number of points, which is decided before the game begins. The player on the dealer's left makes the opening lead, and players must follow suit, if possible. If a player cannot follow suit, he may play a trump or discard. The trick/book is won by the player who plays the highest trump or if no trump was played, the player who played the highest card in the suit led. The player who wins the trick/book leads next. Play continues until none of the players have any cards left. Each hand is worth 13 tricks/books. Spades cannot be led unless played previously or player to lead has nothing but Spades in his hand.

13.     Cheating, whether gesture or verbal (talking across the board), is considered cheating.   A penalty of 100 points will be assessed for the first violation and a monitor will be assigned to watch the game.  The second violation will result in disqualification from the tournament.

14.     Renege occurs when a player can follow suit but does not, it is considered cheating. The team caught reneging will received a 100 point deduction penalty for the round.

15.     How to Keep Score: For making the contract (the number of tricks/books bid), the player scores 10 points for each trick bid.  Overtricks/Sandbags are not considered in this game. For example, if the player's bid is 7 and he makes 7 tricks/books, the score would be 70. If the bid was 7 and the player won 9 tricks/books, the score would still be 70 points

16.     One of the players is the scorer and writes the bids down, so that during the play and for the scoring afterward, this information will be available to all the players. When a hand is over, the scores should be recorded next to the bids, and a running score should be kept so that players can readily see each other's total points.

17.     At the end of each 20-minute round, each player will initial the score sheet and a representative from each team will bring the score sheet to the registration table. Team rankings will be displayed after each round.  

18.     In the event there is a tie at the end of the 5 rounds, the two teams will play one 15-minute round to determine the winner. The first team to reach 200 points wins the tournament. If neither team reaches 200 points at the end of the round, the team with the highest number of points wins the tournament.

​19.     Trophies & Prizes are awarded to the team with the most points at the end of 5 rounds.  A prize is awarded to the team with the least points at the end of 5 rounds.  A prize is also awarded to the team with the 7th ranking.  Prizes are not cash.
​

FAQs

Are there ID or minimum age requirements to enter the event?
21 years or older
 
How can I contact the organizer with any questions?
Email [email protected] or call 203-910-4308.  Emails and calls will be returned between the hours of 7pm-9pm.
 
What's the refund policy?
No Refunds. Proceeds to benefit the Eta Alpha Lambda Scholarship Foundation
 
Do I have to purchase tickets online?  Can I pick up tickets?
Members of the local chapter of Alpha have a limited number of tickets.  Please email [email protected] or call 203-910-4308 for pick up information or contact your local neighborhood Alpha!
 
Do I have to bring my printed ticket to the event?
Yes.
 
Is it ok if the name on my ticket or registration doesn't match the person who attends?
Yes, however participants are asked to email [email protected] or call 203-910-4308 with the new information 2 days prior to the event. Game participants must present a ticket the day of the event.
 
Can I purchase tickets at the door?
Supporters and spectators may purchase $5 tickets at the door.  Player tickets will not be sold at the door. Participants must register and pruchase tickets in advanced.  
 
If I win... Do I share the prize with my partner?
Each winning team member will receive the same prize.