A classic card game rooted in Black cultural tradition will ramp up in Brooklyn this spring.
The Lunch Room, a hybrid digital and in-person Spades tournament powered by Trickster Cards and hosted at Aunts et Uncles, brings together competition, food and community while honoring a game that has long served as both entertainment and connection.
For generations, Spades has been played in barbershops, college dorms, living rooms and locker rooms. The game is often passed down informally, with rules, strategy and playful rivalries becoming part of shared cultural memory. The Lunch Room builds on that legacy while introducing a modern twist through an online qualifying tournament that allows players to compete before the live championship.
The digital portion of the tournament begins March 14 on the Trickster Cards online platform. Participants must create a free Trickster account and join the private club through the tournament registration link. While players can practice on the app ahead of time, competitors must be in the club lobby 30 minutes before the start time. The online segment officially begins at 7:00pm and players who do not arrive in the lobby beforehand will be disqualified.
During the digital qualifier, participants will compete for a spot in the top 16. Those highest-ranked players will advance to the live championship round, scheduled to take place March 22 at Aunts et Uncles in Brooklyn.
Organizers say the event is designed to reflect how cultural traditions evolve while still holding on to their roots. By combining an online competition with an in-person gathering, The Lunch Room highlights how community-centered traditions can adapt to new technology without losing the social spirit that makes them meaningful.
The championship event at Aunts et Uncles will feature a bracket-style Spades tournament alongside music and curated food and drink offerings. The goal is to create an atmosphere that feels intentional and welcoming, where competition unfolds within a setting grounded in community rather than spectacle.
Players interested in participating must register through the Trickster Cards platform by joining the private tournament club here. Once registered, participants will receive confirmation allowing them to compete in the March 14 online qualifier. The highest-performing players will then move on to the live finals on March 22.
The Lunch Room Spades Tournament
Hosted by Aunts et Uncles
Powered by Trickster Cards
Digital Qualifier Begins: March 14
Live Finals: March 22
Time: 5:00pm to 9:00pm
Location: Aunts et Uncles, 1407 Nostrand Ave.
