The normal sequence
A player leads a club. You have no clubs, so you play a spade. The spade trumps the trick and breaks spades. From the next trick onward, any player who wins the lead may start with a spade.
Following suit still comes first
You cannot use a spade merely because it would win. If hearts are led and you hold at least one heart, you must play a heart. Spades can trump only when you are void in the led suit.
| Situation | Can you play a spade? |
|---|---|
| Clubs led; you hold a club | No, follow clubs |
| Clubs led; you hold no club | Yes, discard or trump |
| You lead; spades are not broken | Normally no |
| You lead; your hand is only spades | Yes, exception applies |
| You lead; spades are broken | Yes |
The all-spades exception
If it is your turn to lead and every remaining card in your hand is a spade, you may lead one even if spades have not been broken. The game never forces an impossible card.
Follow suit if you can. If you cannot, a spade may break trump. Lead spades only after that, unless spades are all you have.
Why the rule exists
Delaying a trump lead gives side suits room to develop and prevents the strongest spade holder from immediately stripping the table of trump. It creates timing decisions: breaking spades early can help draw trump, while delaying it may preserve control.