Nil strategy in spades
A nil bid is worth 100 points made and costs 100 if you win even one trick. Here is how to choose good nil hands and play them.
A good nil hand
- No aces and no king of spades. The Q♠ and J♠ are dangerous too.
- Three spades or fewer, and low ones.
- High cards in other suits protected by several low cards in the same suit, so you can play under.
- A short suit is good: when it is led you can discard your dangerous cards.
A reasonable nil: low spades, and the Q♥ is protected by three low hearts.
Playing as the nil bidder
- Play your highest card that will still lose the trick. Get rid of dangerous cards early, while others still hold higher ones.
- When you are out of a suit, throw away your most dangerous card, such as a high spade or a lone king.
- Lead low cards in suits where others are sure to play higher.
Covering your partner’s nil
- Play high on tricks your partner might win, especially when you play after them.
- Lead suits your partner is short in, so they can discard.
- Your own bid still counts. Bid a little more than your hand is worth, since you will win extra tricks by covering.
Setting an opponent’s nil
- Lead low cards so the nil bidder is forced to play over them.
- When the nil bidder is winning a trick, play under them if you can.
- Breaking a nil swings 200 points: 100 they lose plus the 100 they hoped to score.
Blind nil
Blind nil is bid before you see your cards and is worth ±200. It is allowed only when your side is behind by 100 or more. After the bidding, your partner passes you 2 cards (usually low ones) and you pass 2 back (your highest, most dangerous cards). Use it when you are far behind and need a big swing.
Questions
Is nil worth it in spades?
A made nil is worth 100 points, the same as making a 10-trick contract, so it is one of the best plays in the game when your hand is right for it.
When is blind nil allowed?
In the usual rules only when your side is behind by 100 or more. In our game the option appears automatically when you qualify.
Can both partners bid nil?
Yes, but it is very risky: nobody covers either player. Each nil is scored on its own.
Play spades and try a nil on medium.