Good recommendation thanks. With whist, I wonder if taking out the bidding takes away some of the fun. Spades still has the bidding, it just doesn't allow for the selection of the trump suit.
Some of the conventions in Bridge seem weird too. Why not just say 8 club instead of 2 club. I get that there is a 6 trick minimum, but the convention doesn't seem necessary. There might be a good reason though.