This series of articles explores a concept that is at the heart of all spades strategy. If there is a unified theory of spades, then timing is definitely the key element. Can spades strategy truly be summed up that easily? That's right, all spades strategy boils down to an understanding of proper timing. The 5-5, the hold-up, the endplay, trump management, nil defense - what do these concepts have in common? They all involve what is known by card experts as timing. To become a proficient player, time management is mandatory. Before I begin, we need to clarify some terminology.

First, what is Spades Time? A spades hand is divided into thirteen time units which must be shared among all four players. The reason we describe the units with the word time is because a spades hand is a race to manufacture winners or to avoid tricks. For now, let us focus on the more difficult aspect of card play - trick establishment. Later I will dedicate an article to proper bag avoidance.

A team only has a limited amount of time (13 tricks) to establish winners. Time can be gained or lost during a hand. Many variables can affect time, such as what cards you hold, the skill of each player at the table, and who has the opening lead. Both teams are fighting to establish winners before the other team can. A simple example is a holding with a singleton side suit and one spade. If the side suit is led twice, a ruff (cut) may be available. However, if that suit is not led twice before spades are led, a potential time unit (the ruff) has been lost. Another example is the establishment of a long suit before the other team weakens one's spades.

Here is a short glossary of the important terminology:

Spades Time: The amount of time units available for a team to establish tricks. This amount can change during the course of a hand depending on many factors.

Time Unit: 1 trick.

Time Management: The art of managing one's cards in order to maximize the amount of time units available.

Position: The strength of your team's cards in relation to the opposition. Also, the player who holds captaincy. It is critical to understand your position in order to execute proper timing.

Defensive Timing: A timing strategy implemented when a team lacks spades control, or the hand is balanced (generally 7 or fewer spades).

Offensive Timing: A timing strategy implemented when a team has spades control (generally 8 or more spades).

To understand the concept of time more clearly, the following extreme case offers a useful illustration:

1075 87532 A62 54 6 64 KQJ10987 632 A932 KQJ109 543 A KQJ84 A -- KQJ10987

If South is on lead, notice how the play proceeds. The K of clubs pushes out the ace. When East pushes hearts, South returns a club again. Once East cuts, the hand is over. South will regain the lead by ruffing the heart and then lead a top spade. There is nothing East can do to stop South. South will win 11 tricks (4 spades, 6 clubs, 1 heart).

However, if East is on lead, a much different story follows. With a heart lead, the ace is pushed out. After South's club lead, again East leads another heart. Once South ruffs, he has lost control of the hand. If he leads a top spade, East will simply take control and push hearts again. When South ruffs again, he has no good lead. By pushing spades, East gains control. His best hope is to continue clubs and allow his side to take ruffs. This time, South's trick taking potential (Spades Time) has been greatly reduced. The key thing to note on this deal is that if the singleton heart is led by South on the first trick, the result of the hand will be the same as if East were on lead. Similarly, if East leads the ace of clubs on trick 1, South gains the advantage. The reason? Timing! By simply reversing the order of play on tricks 1 and 2, the outcome is astronomical.

This deal greatly illustrates the importance of when to play certain cards. With South on lead, East loses a very important time unit. With East on lead, South loses the critical time unit. Both result in a very large loss of Spades Time. Even though the crucial unit falls on the opening lead on this deal, an important time unit can occur on any trick.

In the next several articles we will first analyze the two major aspects of timing: Offense and Defense. We will then dissect the king of spades timing - the endplay. In each of these articles, we will revisit many concepts that have already been covered by other authors. The reason is, nearly every strategical concept involves proper tempo. Finally, we'll explore how timing affects bagging.

-- Dustin Stout