Our verdict: a highly rated Spades app for live online games, built around coins. Spades Royale has a 4.8-star average from about 173,000 App Store ratings. It has partner, 2-player and Cutthroat modes, Nil and Blind Nil, and plenty of challenges and leaderboards. But it’s a coin-based game with packs up to $99.99, its App Store listing mentions loot boxes, and it doesn’t list private tables or play against the computer.
Best for: players who want fast live Spades against people from around the world, and enjoy levels and rewards.
What is Spades Royale?
Spades Royale is a free Spades app for iPhone, iPad and Android, made by Beach Bum Ltd. It has a 4.8-star average from about 173,000 App Store ratings.
It’s built for live online play: you’re matched with players from around the world and can chat during the game. The listing doesn’t mention playing against the computer, or playing offline.
Game modes and rules
- Partners: classic four-player partnership Spades
- 2-player: head-to-head Spades (see our 2-Player Spades rules)
- Solo: every player for themselves (Cutthroat)
You can bid Nil and Blind Nil. Whiz, Mirror and Suicide aren’t listed, and the listing doesn’t say whether you can change the target score.
Playing with friends
You can invite your Facebook contacts to play, and you earn bonuses for doing so. The listing doesn’t mention private tables, so if you want a closed game for your own crew, Spades Plus, VIP Spades or Tableza make that clearer.
Coins, rewards and costs
Spades Royale is free, but it runs on coins. You get free coin bonuses every hour and every day, and challenges earn Royal Gems as you level up.
The app sells packages from $0.99 up to $99.99:
| Package | Price |
|---|---|
| Basic | $0.99 to $9.99 |
| Advanced | $14.99 |
| Mega | $24.99 |
| Royal | $99.99 |
The App Store rates it 13+ for Infrequent Simulated Gambling and Contests, and lists Loot Boxes among its contents. Its privacy label says identifiers are used to track you across other companies’ apps and websites. The listing doesn’t say whether the app shows ads.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Free to download on iPhone, iPad and Android
- 4.8 stars from about 173,000 App Store ratings
- Partners, 2-player and Cutthroat modes
- Nil and Blind Nil
- Free coin bonuses every hour and every day
- Leaderboards, challenges and levels
Cons
- Coin packages up to $99.99, and the listing mentions loot boxes
- No private tables listed
- No play against the computer or offline mode listed
- No Whiz, Mirror or Suicide
- Friend invites go through Facebook
Who is Spades Royale for?
Spades Royale suits you if you want quick live games against players from around the world, and you like levelling up, challenges and leaderboards. Of the apps we reviewed, it’s the only one that lists a 2-player mode.
It’s not the best fit if you want to practise against the computer, play a private game with your own crew, or stay away from coin purchases.
Alternatives to Spades Royale
- Tableza: our top pick, free in your phone’s browser, with no coins to buy, a computer at three levels and private tables for your crew. Read our Tableza Spades review.
- Spades Plus: Zynga’s Spades app, with invite-only tables and Whiz and Mirror modes. Read our Spades Plus review.
- VIP Spades: an app and website with free training against the computer, plus Suicide, Whiz and Mirror. Read our VIP Spades review.
See every app compared in our Top 3 Best Spades Apps.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Spades Royale free?
It’s free to download and play, with free coin bonuses every hour and every day. The app also sells coin packages from $0.99 to $99.99.
Does Spades Royale have 2-player Spades?
Yes. It has a two-player mode, as well as partners and solo Cutthroat.
Does Spades Royale have Blind Nil?
Yes. You can bid Nil and Blind Nil.
Can I play Spades Royale with friends?
You can invite Facebook contacts to play. The listing doesn’t mention private tables.
Can I play Spades Royale against the computer?
The listing doesn’t mention it. The app is built around live online games.
Is Spades Royale on Android?
Yes. It’s on iPhone, iPad and Android.
