How to Design and Make a Spades Score Sheet
Spades is one of the classic card games. It is usually played with two sets of partners sitting on the opposite sides of a card table. In order to play, you will need cards, a table, chairs and of course--the players! Now comes the score sheet. An 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper will do. However, a certain layout is necessary in order to facilitate keeping of a Spade game score. (Bags and Nils are unique aspects of this game). One alternative is to take a blank sheet of paper, draw a line down the middle and mark the columns "We" and "They". This will do for some card games. The other choice is to make a custom Spades score sheet. Here is how !
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Things You'll Need
- Piece of paper, 8.5" X 11"
- Black ball point pen
- Ruler (you can also "guesstimate" the lines / columns if you do not have a ruler a handy!
- Copy machine (for multiple copies)
Instructions
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How to Design a Spades Score Sheet
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Place the sheet of paper vertically on the table or desk where you are seated. (The short side will be across the top, as if you were writing a letter.) Draw a heavy line from the top to the bottom of the page, exactly down the middle of the sheet of paper. (4.25" across from the edge). This will divide the sheet, vertically, into two halves.
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Take the sheet of paper and measure down approximately one inch on each side (going down from the top). Draw another heavy line across, connecting these two points. Thus, you will have divided the page in two sections, with each half measuring 4.25" x 11", and a top line across (it will look like a cross with a high top line).
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Use your ruler to mark each vertical edge of the page in one-inch increments, all the way down the page (starting from the heavy line going across the page). Draw a line for each mark (not as heavy as the first line) across the page, which will leave you with ten lines, and ten spaces. This will be used to identify the hand numbers, and to keep the score for each successive deal.
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On the left hand side of the page, and on the first light line (below the heavy line across the top of the page), make a mark one-half inch across from the edge of the page on the first line. Then go to the last light line on the same (left hand) side of the page, and make another mark one half inch from the edge of the page. Connect these marks with a vertical line from the top heavy line down to the edge of the paper. This is your first column, and will be used to identify hand numbers.
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Measure another mark one-inch over from the first vertical line you just completed. This mark will also be placed on first light line at the top of the page. Next, measure another mark, 1.75" to the right. Finally, make another mark one inch over. You have reached the middle of the page. (.50" + 1" + 1.75" + 1" = 4.25" ) Do the same on the line at the bottom of the page, and connect these marks accordingly with vertical lines. You have created three more columns. Now you have reached the middle of the page, the heavy line down the center.
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On the other side of the middle dividing line, you will be making the columns for the right hand part of the scoresheet. Measure off marks, one inch, then 1.75", then one inch across the first line below the heavy line across the top of the page. This will leave an extra space on the right hand side of page, and will help you to center the page while making copies. Do the same on the last line going across the bottom of the page. Draw the vertical lines to create columns for both sides. Each side will have these three columns and there will be an extra column on the far left side (deal numbers).
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You are ready to label your scoresheet. Across the top, write the word "Name" on each side to identify the players. This is comparable to the "We" and "They" words on a Bridge score sheet. On the far left hand side of the page, and starting below the first heavy line, number the page along the edge from 1-10, top to bottom. This will be used to identify the hand or deal numbers.
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Finally, across the top of the score sheet, just below the heavy line, you will mark at the top of each column in order:
BID - SCORE - BAGS (you are now at the middle of the page) Continuing - BID - SCORE - BAGS. Both sides must have this information. There will be ample space on each line to write a score, and to carry the total down for each line. At last, you have a Spades score sheeet! -
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Take your original sheet, and make a dozen or more copies. When you are ready for a "live" game, you will have the opportunity to put your score sheet to work. Practice using the sheet by playing on a computer with "bots" or with your friends. This will help you to get used to the scoring system.
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Tips & Warnings
Both teams should keep score (this will serve as a comparison)
Familiarize yourself with the rules, and the application of bags
You must be able to make the calculations required to keep an accurate score. This especially applies to sets and bagging.
If you are unsure about keeping the score, ask your partner. Otherwise, you will have to rely on the opponents.
Always check the score for accuracy - especially if one scoresheet is in use.
