Frequently Asked Questions

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The World Series of Spades (WSOS) is a series of 6 tournaments played throughout the calendar year. Teams compete to qualify for the Tournament of Champions at the end of the year. Each regular tournament awards prize money, and teams can join at any time during the year.

Brackets are based on a ‘round robin’ format, with larger tournaments based on seeded brackets. The final Tournament of Champions is a seeded tournament with consolation.

The prize money depends on the number of registered teams and associated entry fees. Winning teams can expect to win between approximately $128 and $220 for a regular tournament. Runners-up win vouchers for one-half or full cost discounts on future tournaments; with discretionary cash prizes awarded depending on the number of teams registered for the tournament.

Approximately 20% of the entry fees from each of the six (6) regular tournaments are held as prize money for the Tournament of Champions at the end of the year. Prize money payout for the Tournament of Champions is between approximately $600-$1,000.

Points are awarded in the following ways:

1. Match wins = 1 point

2. Tournament Runner-Up = 2 points

3. Tournament Win = 3 points

After every tournament, team results are calculated to determine overall rankings. The number of team points accrued determines that team’s rank in the Ranking Chart. A high ranking determines the likelihood of qualifying for the Tournament of Champions.

You accumulate points by playing in tournaments throughout the year. The more points your team accumulates, the more likely you are to qualify for the Tournament of Champions. At the end of the year, the top six (6) teams with the highest rankings will be given a seat at the tournament. 

You accumulate points by playing in tournaments throughout the year. The more points your team accumulates, the more likely you are to qualify for the Tournament of Champions. At the end of the year, the top six (6) teams with the highest rankings will be given a seat at the tournament. 

In each regular tournament, teams are seeded based on their overall ranking. Seeded brackets determine which team plays another team in their division. Ranking is based on how many points each team has accrued overall in the standings. Seeding is specific to each tournament based on how a team’s rank compares to the rank of other teams. 

Example: 

If the 1st, 4th, 5th and 7th ranked teams enter a tournament, along with six (6) other unranked teams, the seeding for that tournament would be: 

1st rank = #1 seed

4th rank = #2 seed

5thrank = #3 seed

7thrank = #4 seed

YES! You can play in as few or as many tournaments as you are able to play in. Sign up quickly and reserve your seat! If you win a tournament or are a runner-up, you would

still receive prize money as described. Your team will also establish a ranking and can be in the running for seats at the Tournament of Champions.

Substitutes are allowed as long as one of the two regular teammates is available to play. If two individuals from two different teams want to sub on each other’s team, then both teams will accrue points. However, although a team that uses a substitute can win a regular tournament, that tournament will not be counted toward the total wins required to enter the Tournament of Champions. No subs are allowed to play in the Tournament of Champions; and only teams that have played in at least one tournament together as an established team can qualify for the Tournament of Champions.

If after registering, one of the players on your team can’t play in the tournament, you must coordinate with one another to find a substitute who can play. Once a substitute is identified, the team must notify the host immediately. If your team fails to identify a substitute and does not notify the host at least 24 hours priorto the start of the tournament, your team will forfeit and registration fees will not be refunded. 

**The host reserves the right to make final decisions regarding refunds.