Spades Nil: When to Bid It and How to Cover It
A Nil bid says "I won't take a single trick." Make it and your team gets 100 points; fail and you lose 100.
A good Nil hand
- No Aces, no King with only one small card beside it.
- Few spades, none above about the 10.
- Lots of low cards, especially in long suits.
Playing your Nil
- Play your highest card that still loses the trick.
- When void, throw away your dangerous high cards.
- Get rid of awkward cards early, while your partner can still cover you.
Covering your partner's Nil
Your job changes completely: play high on tricks your partner might win, lead suits where they hold low cards, and don't worry about bags.
Blind Nil
Bidding Nil before looking at your cards, usually for ±200, often allowed only when your team is well behind. Cheettukali doesn't use it.
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FAQ
When should you bid Nil in Spades?
With no Aces, no high spades, few spades and many low cards.
How many points is Nil?
+100 if you take no tricks, −100 if you take any.