What Does ‘Ruff’ Mean in Cards?

Card games have been a staple of entertainment across many cultures and societies for centuries. This long history has meant that games have evolved and shifted in both strategy and vocabulary, such as the term 'ruff.' To ‘ruff’ means to play a trump card when a non-trump suit led. This term is used in most trick-taking games, including Spades.

These niche terms have created a culture that forms instant bonds between players. Just as in sports, when strangers can connect over the strategy and terminology of a game, so, too, do Spades players have an immediate connection in using the terms of the game.

Spades continues to be esteemed for its unique blend of simplicity and strategy. Whether you’re learning how to play Spades with two players or six, knowing when and how to ruff is key.

A History of Spades

Spades is a trick-taking game, believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It gained popularity among college students and military personnel because it traveled well, was played with four players, and required strategic thinking. Over time, it has cemented itself as a competitive and social staple in card rooms and online platforms across the world.

Spades is also unique for its flexibility. Though the game is traditionally played with four players, you can learn how to play Spades with two players, or even six players. The fact that Spades games can accordion in size to accommodate whoever is in the room is part of what has helped it continue to thrive.

Understanding Ruff in Card Games

In many card games, ‘ruff’ refers to a player using a trump card in a trick where they cannot follow suit. The ability to ruff provides a strategic tool in Spades, as it allows a player to win a trick they would otherwise lose, but it’s a measure of skill. Knowing when to ruff and when to conserve trump cards for future wins is a major part of winning.

Players can also ‘overruff,’ meaning a player before them ruffed, and the overruffing player plays a trump card of even higher value on the same trick. For example, if the beginning suit is Hearts, if the next player has no Hearts in hand, they can ruff by playing a three of Spades. If the player after them also has no Hearts in hand, they can overruff by playing a five of Spades, winning the trick.

Why Ruffing Is Crucial

Ruffing is a consistent part of Spades, and it can dramatically alter the flow of the game. One of the key strategies for understanding and reliably winning at Spades is understanding ruffing.

Ruffing is not just about playing a trump card–it's about when and how you choose to deploy that card. As players are carefully trying to win the number of tricks they bid, they must navigate when is the optimal time to use their trump cards.

For instance, in the example above, the player who overruffed could have decided to hold onto their five of Spades for a future turn in which the two or four of Spades was played, attempting to get more value out of their trump cards.

Expanding Your Vocabulary

What is a ‘Boston’ in Spades? What is ‘board’ in Spades? While anyone can play Spades without knowing all the terms and tricks, knowing the answers to these questions will elevate a player’s skill and help them keep up at some tables.

‘Bidding a Boston’ refers to when a player bids to win all thirteen tricks–a rare and game-defining achievement. The board in Spades is the minimum number of bids a partnership must make each hand. This is most often four, but can be adjusted depending on the table and house rules.

In Conclusion

Whether you are diving into how to play Spades with two players for a quiet evening or strategizing in a competitive game with strangers, understanding terms like ‘ruff,’ ‘Boston,’ and ‘board’ enriches your experience and ability.