Nil Bid in Spades: Rules, Scoring & When to Bid Nil

The nil bid is one of the most exciting and strategic elements in Spades. When executed successfully, it can dramatically shift the game in your favor. But fail, and you'll hand your opponents a significant advantage.

What is a Nil Bid?

A nil bid is a declaration that you will take zero tricks during the hand.

Key Rules:

• You must declare nil before play begins
• Taking even 1 trick = failed nil
• Your partner bids and plays normally
• Scores are calculated separately then combined

Nil Bid Scoring

Successful Nil

+100 points to your team

• Plus your partner's bid score
• Partner's overtricks still count as bags

Failed Nil

-100 points to your team

• Tricks taken don't count toward partner's bid
• Your tricks don't generate bags
• Partner still scores normally (positive or negative)

Example Scoring

Scenario 1: Successful Nil

• You: Nil bid, 0 tricks taken = +100
• Partner: Bid 5, made 6 = +51 (50 + 1 bag)
• Team total: +151 points, 1 bag

Scenario 2: Failed Nil

• You: Nil bid, 2 tricks taken = -100
• Partner: Bid 5, made 5 = +50
• Team total: -50 points, 0 bags

When to Bid Nil

Ideal Nil Hands

Look for these characteristics:

1. Low Cards in All Suits

Example: 2♠ 3♠ 4♥ 5♥ 6♦ 7♦ 2♣ 3♣ 4♣ 5♣ 6♣ 7♣ 8♣

Multiple low cards in each suit = likely successful nil

2. No Face Cards or Aces

• Avoid hands with K, Q, J, A
• Even a Jack can be forced to win

3. Balanced Distribution

• Cards in all four suits preferred
• Voids are risky (can be forced to trump)

4. 2 of Clubs

• Having the 2♣ is valuable (lowest card)
• Can safely lead or follow with it

Risky Nil Hands

Avoid nil with:

• Any Aces or Kings (very likely to win)
• Singleton high cards (will eventually win)
• Voids (must trump if led, likely to win)
• Only 1-2 cards in a suit (hard to duck)

Nil Strategy Tips

For the Nil Bidder

1. Lead Low Cards Early

• Get rid of dangerous middle cards (7-10)
• Keep your lowest cards for later rounds
• Lead suits where you're longest

2. Watch What's Been Played

• Track which high cards are gone
• Your 9 is safe after K, Q, J, 10 are played
• Count cards to know when suits are exhausted

3. Communication Through Play

• Your first discard signals to partner
• Discard your most dangerous suit
• Partner should "cover" by taking tricks in that suit

4. Save Your Lowest Cards

• Hold 2s and 3s as long as possible
• These are your insurance for late rounds
• Use middle cards (5-8) in middle rounds

For the Nil Partner

1. Bid Accurately Your partner is relying on you for points:

• Don't underbid (your points carry the team)
• Account for taking extra tricks to cover partner
• Consider bidding 1-2 higher than normal

2. Cover Your Partner's Weak Suits

• If partner discards hearts early, win heart tricks
• Take tricks in suits where partner shows weakness
• Prevent opponents from forcing partner to win

3. Read Partner's Discards

• First discard = their most dangerous suit
• Subsequent discards show remaining problem areas
• Take tricks aggressively in those suits

4. Control the Game Flow

• Take early tricks to control what's led
• Exhaust suits where partner has high cards
• Lead suits where partner has multiple low cards

Blind Nil: High Risk, High Reward

A blind nil is declared before looking at your cards.

Blind Nil Rules:

• Must announce before seeing your hand
• After bidding, may exchange 2 cards with partner
• Partner gives you their 2 lowest cards
• You give partner any 2 cards

Blind Nil Scoring:

• Successful: +200 points
• Failed: -200 points

When to Bid Blind Nil:

• Your team is far behind (desperate play)
• Late in the game, need big points fast
• Very risky—only use when necessary

Common Nil Mistakes

Mistake #1: Bidding Nil with High Cards

Problem: A♠ K♦ will almost certainly win tricks
Solution: Only bid nil with genuinely low hands

Mistake #2: Not Supporting Partner's Nil

Problem: Partner's nil fails because you didn't cover
Solution: Bid higher and aggressively take tricks

Mistake #3: Panic Discarding

Problem: Randomly throw cards without thinking
Solution: Discard systematically, worst suit first

Mistake #4: Forgetting About Trumps

Problem: Void in a suit, forced to trump and win
Solution: Evaluate voids carefully before bidding nil

Mistake #5: Poor Blind Nil Card Exchange

Problem: Giving partner useless cards in exchange
Solution: Give your highest cards, keep lowest

Nil Bid Statistics & Probabilities

Based on competitive play:

• Success rate: ~60-70% for regular nil
• Success rate: ~40-50% for blind nil
• Average impact: ±150 points per nil attempt
• Game-changing: Nils often decide close games

Strategic Timing for Nil Bids

Early Game Nils

Pros:

• Build early point lead
• Less pressure on bags
• More time to recover if failed

Cons:

• Opponents have time to catch up
• May not be necessary yet

Mid Game Nils

Pros:

• Can create or maintain lead
• Bags might be accumulating anyway
• Good for momentum swing

Cons:

• Moderate risk, moderate reward timing

Late Game Nils

Pros:

• Can win the game immediately
• Prevents opponent comeback
• High drama finish

Cons:

• Failure can cost you the game
• High pressure situation

Track Your Nil Bids

Keep perfect records of your nil attempts with our free Spades scorecard:

✅ Separate nil scoring tracking
✅ Partner bid coordination
✅ Success rate statistics
✅ Point impact analysis

Track nil bids automatically →

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can both partners bid nil?
A: Technically yes, but extremely risky. Not recommended.

Q: What happens if I bid nil and my partner fails their bid?
A: Scores combine. If you make nil (+100) and partner fails bid (-40), team scores +60.

Q: Do nil tricks count toward partner's bid?
A: No. Tricks from a failed nil don't help partner's bid.

Q: Can you bid nil in the first hand?
A: Yes, unless playing with "no first-hand nil" house rules.

Q: Should I bid blind nil if losing badly?
A: It's a valid strategy when far behind, but very risky.

Master the Nil Bid

The nil bid separates good Spades players from great ones. It requires careful hand evaluation, strategic timing, and excellent partnership communication. Practice recognizing nil-worthy hands and supporting your partner's nil bids to become a complete player.

Start tracking your nil bid success rate →