The Timeless Game of Spades: A Cultural Touchstone Amidst Change
In Brooklyn, a classic card game is bringing communities together in unexpected ways. A recent spades tournament at the Black-owned vegan restaurant, Aunts et Uncles, highlighted the enduring cultural significance of this cherished pastime.
Mel Alleyne, who rediscovered her love for spades thanks to a nudge from her sister, reflected on the game’s importance. “It was like you were not cool if you did not know how to play spades,” she said. For many, learning spades was an unspoken requirement of social life.
The event, named The Lunch Room, saw participants who had to first qualify through the Trickster Cards app, before competing in a live championship filled with the familiar sounds and sights of Black community gatherings. “Everybody that you know that’s Black pretty much has played spades, they know about spades,” shared Yantise Jenkins from the DMV Cardtel.
This gathering was more than just a game night—it was a celebration of a cultural tradition at a time when Black history is facing challenges. Recent policies, such as an executive order by President Trump dismantling diversity programs and attempts to restrict African American studies in states like Florida, amplify the need to preserve these cultural practices.
Michael Nicholas, co-owner of Aunts et Uncles, shared that the tournament’s name is a nod to the school lunchrooms of his youth, where spades games were as much about camaraderie as they were about cards. “You learn basically by sitting down and watching the family and friends getting together,” Nicholas explained. “It’s beyond a pastime.”
While technology played a role in the tournament’s structure, it was merely a stepping stone to the real goal: in-person connection. The digital qualifier set the stage for an evening that celebrated the cultural nuances of spades, from the strategic silence between partners to the lively banter that could be mistaken for arguments by outsiders. “If you grew up in Black culture, you know, spades is a part of your DNA,” said Chevy Wolf of The Last Wolves agency.
For participants like Korey Hines, the significance of passing on the tradition was evident. He described his role in the event as a way to “bring some people together and maybe make those transitions smoother.” Hines, taught by his Aunt Helen, understands the importance of ensuring the game and its cultural weight are not lost to future generations.
As the night drew to a close, the players left with more than just memories of a game. They reinforced the notion that cultural traditions, like the game of spades, can thrive despite institutional challenges. “It’s kind of nice to be able to come together and see each other and have that community,” Alleyne expressed, emphasizing the lasting impact of such gatherings.
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