| The Nil Bid in Spades
To begin with, we must assume that you and your partner have played together for a while and that you have developed a pretty good rapport and discipline as a Team. When playing with a stranger, it is best to assume a conservative bidding approach. You do not bid Nils with shaky side suit holdings such as K 9, A 8 6, or J 10 9 7. You don't bid Nil with "chunky" trump suits, such as 10 9 8, Q 8 7, or J 9 6. However, you do recognize situations which require desperation bids. Of course, the higher your partner bids in front of you the greater the chances are that you can bring in a shaky Nil. Finally, you avoid calling Nil when your side has a 200 + point lead (unless said Nil is absolutely "on ice").
A lot of Nil bids require technique and an understanding by partner on how to cover a Nil. Then there is the element of luck.
Let's look at a basic example. Your side is losing a game by a score of 382- 313. Let's face it, you are in deep you-know-what! Assume you are not using the "Big Five" convention. The left hand opponent bids 3 and your partner bids 4. The right hand opponent bids 3. You pick up a balanced hand which is absolutely rock solid safe (lots of 2's and 3's and/or length) in the side suits, and also contains the K 5 2 of trump. If you bid one and both sides make their bids (each team takes one bag), the score will now stand as: their side 443 and your side 354.
Now you are in really tough shape. And there is no guarantee that your King will win! Thus, you take a chance and "float out" a Nil bid. If you make this, and your partner makes his bid, you will be in the 450's, with the lead. Not bad! If you get set, it's lights out for all intents and purposes.
Oh yes, we must consider the bidding position. If you have first bid, you are really in the dark. Having 3rd or last bid gives you a lot more information.
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| What are the odds here? Well, on the surface, they are one out of three. Partner has the Ace of spades or he doesn't. However, there is a slight chance that the Ace may drop doubleton or tripleton on the right (in other words, your right hand opponent has the Ace of trump with one or two guards and will be forced to play it if spades are led a few times).
Then again, if the “Big Kahuna" of trump is on your left, you are cooked. And if either opponent ruffs with the Big Kahuna, your King is now the "Big Cheese" and down you go!!! Another consideration - higher spades with King increase the risk of the Nil.
How about the Queen of spades? Well, if you were playing the game of Hearts, you might not want her on your hand. But this is Spades. Once again, we repeat the above scenario, score, and hand. Replace the King of spades with the Queen, and you hold the Q 5 2 of trump.
The odds for cover from partner? Slightly more than 54% (not 66.6%). Partner may have either or both the Ace or King or trump. Perhaps, one of the big trump will show up short on the right.
Once again, it all depends on the score, willingness to take a chance, and the rank of the spades which accompany the Queen. There is a lot to consider in this seemingly basic situation. If you hold Q 9 7 of spades, you are asking for a lot more in coverage and distribution than a holding such as Q 4 2. A singleton Queen of trump in a Nil scenario demands that partner have a top trump. Bam! Right on, no questions asked.
At the beginning of a game, conservative players will not take a chance (and bid Nil) with K and one or two small spades or Queen and one and one or two small spades (assume other suits are "safe"). Some players will. And they will be lambasted by their pards if a Nil gets set. In the late middle and endgame, it may become necessary to bid Nil with these borderline trump holdings. Here, you must bid to win – even at the risk of getting set.
How about Jack and two small trump? The odds are slightly better than 75% that partner can cover. And you have to factor in any of the top three trump popping up on the right.
Four spade Nils? Ugh! This is a topic for another post!
Have a great August! Stay Cool! | |
| 2006 Live Tournament Roundup
Here are two really terrific "live" Spades events. It is fun to meet your online friends in person and to have a nice getaway for a weekend of fun and games. Check out these links:
The Spades Connection - August 10 - 13, Louisville, KY
The Spades Connection:
The Grand Prix World Series of Spades - October 6- 8, St. Louis, MO
This is the National Spades Championship event:
GrandPrix Tournaments: The World Series of Classic Card Games
Check 'em out, and make plans to have a great time!
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