How Many Spades Are in a Deck? A Complete Guide to Spade Cards and Their Role in Games

How many spades are in a deck of cards

A standard 52-card deck contains 13 Spade cards, ranging from Ace to King. The deck includes both numbered and face cards. Spades is one of the four suits and is essential in many card games. In MPL games like Spades, understanding the Spades suit helps improve your strategy and gameplay.

What Are Spades in a Deck of Cards?

Spades are one of the four suits in a standard deck of playing cards. The symbol resembles an upside-down black heart with a small stem at the bottom. So, how many spades are in a deck? In most games, a deck has 13 spade cards, ranging from Ace to King. People often refer to them as black cards due to their color. In many card games, spades have special rules or higher value, depending on how the game is played. 

For example, in MPL Spades games, the Spade suit is always the trump suit, meaning it can beat all other suits. Spades are a classic, simple, and essential in many card games.

How Many Spades Are in a Standard Deck?

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You see the standard deck and its four types of suits, which make up a complete deck. They are named hearts, clubs, diamonds, and spades. Here, we are focusing on the question of how many spades are in a deck of cards, and the exact answer is that there are 13 spades in a deck of cards.

A standard deck contains exactly 13 Spade Cards:

  • Numbered Cards: 2 to 10
  • Face Cards: Jack, Queen, King
  • Ace

Fun Fact: The Spade suit is always black in color (except in some custom decks).

List of All 13 Spade Cards

Wondering how many spades are in a deck of cards? The number of spade cards in a standard deck is 13. Below is a list of all the spade cards:

  • Ace of Spades (A♠️) 
  • Two of Spades (2♠️) 
  • Three of Spades (3♠️) 
  • Four of Spades (4♠️) 
  • Five of Spades (5♠️) 
  • Six of Spades (6♠️) 
  • Seven of Spades (7♠️) 
  • Eight of Spades (8♠️) 
  • Nine of Spades (9♠️) 
  • Ten of Spades (10♠️) 
  • Jack of Spades (J♠️) 
  • Queen of Spades (Q♠️) 
  • King of Spades (K♠️) 

The Most Iconic Spades Card – Ace of Spades 

When it comes to Spade cards in a deck, here’s everything you must know!

Design

The Ace of Spades stands out in any deck. It usually has a larger, more ornate spade symbol in the center. It is often decorated with patterns or even the card maker’s logo. Many decks treat it as a signature card. Its design is bold and special. For instance, the Ace of Spades’ meaning is often linked to power, mystery, and high value, making it the most iconic and significant card in a deck.

Symbolism

Over time, the Ace of Spades has gained powerful meanings. It’s often seen as a symbol of luck, power, and mystery. In history, it was associated with good fortune in games, as well as bravery in war and even rebellion in popular culture.

Gameplay

In many card games, the Ace of Spades carries high value. In trick‑taking games like Spades, it is often the strongest trump card. In other card games, it may rank as the highest ace or have special scoring rules. Its reputation makes it exciting whenever it appears in play.

Pop Trivia: The Ace of Spades is famous from the rock band Motörhead!

How Many Spades Appear on the Ace of Spades?

The Ace of Spades is not just another card; it’s the most artistically designed and culturally iconic card in the entire deck.

  • Most standard decks show three spade symbols on the Ace of Spades:
    • One large spade in the center
    • Two smaller spades in the top-left and bottom-right corners
  • However, the number of spades can vary based on card design:
    • Some minimalist decks show just one central spade.
    • Others may feature two, three, or even more spades, including decorative ones in the background.

What is the Probability of Drawing a Spade?

Calculating the probability of drawing a Spade is especially useful in probability-based games such as MPL Spades or when calculating odds in MPL Poker games.

In a standard deck of cards, there are 52 cards with 4 suits, which include spades, hearts, clubs, and diamonds. This means there are 13 spade cards in a deck. So, the probability of drawing a spade from a well‑shuffled deck is 25%.

In the card game Spades, each player is dealt 13 cards from the same 52‑card deck. On average, you would expect around 3 to 4 spades in your hand. The exact probability depends on the specific hand distribution, but roughly 25% of any hand should be spades.

Poker games also use a 52-card deck. The chance of your first card being a spade is still 1 in 4, or 25%. The chance of being dealt two spades together, with the first and second cards both spades, is 4.6%.

How Spades Work in MPL Spades Game?

In the MPL Spades game, the spade suit plays a special role, making the game both exciting and strategic. Here’s how it works:

Spades Are The Trump Suit

In every round, spades automatically beat cards from any other suit. Even a low spade like 2♠ can win over a high card from hearts, clubs, or diamonds.

You Can’t Lead With Spades At First

Typically, you will need to begin by playing other suits. Spades can only be broken or played as trump after someone has no cards of the suit being played and chooses to play a spade.

Bidding Matters

At the start of the game, players or teams bid on how many tricks they think they can win. Using spades smartly helps you meet or exceed your bid.

Strategy is Key

A Spade card strategy is to hold on to high spades like Ace, King, or Queen to help you win crucial tricks later in the round. Timing when to use your spades can make the difference between winning and losing.

Other Interesting Facts About Spades 

  • King of Spades: Traditionally represents King David. One of the four kings in a deck.
  • Black 3s: Only two in a deck – 3♠ and 3♣ (Spades and Clubs).
  • No. 12 Card: The Queen takes the place of the 12th card.

FAQs

How many black cards are in a deck?

A standard deck contains 26 black cards: 13 Spades and 13 Clubs.

Is the Ace of Spades the highest card?

In many card games, the Ace of Spades is the highest card. In the Spades game on MPL, Ace of Spades is the highest trump card.

Can you win a game with all spade cards?

It depends on the game. For instance, on MPL Spades, it’s not possible to have all Spades cards, but if you have a majority of Spades cards, there’s a higher possibility of you winning the game. In Poker, having all Spades can lead to a Flush or even a Royal Flush, which are high-ranking hands. In 

How many spade face cards are in a deck?

There are 3 face cards in the spade suit: Jack of Spades, Queen of Spades, and King of Spades.

Why is the Ace of Spades special?

The Ace of Spades is usually associated with power and mystery. It is also historically significant and features a unique design. 

Are there any games on MPL that use spade cards?

Yes! Games like Spades, Poker, Rummy, and Call Break on the MPL app use all suits, including spades. However, spades have varying significance in each game.

Ready to Use Your Spades Knowledge?

Play the Spades card game on MPL and put your skills to the test. Compete, win, and level up your gameplay,  one spade at a time.

Vijaya Bharti

Vijaya Bharti is a seasoned content writer with a strong focus on the gaming industry. Her profound understanding of game design and culture shines through her compelling content pieces, captivating readers across diverse gaming genres. She brings deep insight into game mechanics, player behavior, and evolving trends across both casual and skill-based gaming formats. Her commitment to factual accuracy, clarity, and adherence to editorial policy ensures every piece she publishes meets rigorous quality standards. When she’s not writing or editing, Vijaya enjoys exploring new games, analyzing storytelling techniques, and staying up to date with the latest in gaming and digital media.

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