What a Nil bid means
A player who bids Nil promises to take zero tricks. In Made Simple Games, success adds 100 points and taking even one trick costs 100. The partner still makes a normal bid, and the team contract is evaluated alongside the Nil result.
A weak-looking hand is not automatically safe. Medium cards can become accidental winners after lower cards are played, and even a low spade can take a trick when everyone else is void.
Evaluate each suit separately
- Aces are immediate Nil breakers unless a very unusual discard opportunity appears.
- Kings are dangerous, especially in short suits where the ace may be forced out early.
- Queens and jacks are safer in long suits because several higher cards can remain above them.
- Low cards create exits; multiple cards below your highest rank are valuable protection.
- High or medium spades are especially risky because trump beats every side suit.
Safe and dangerous shapes
| Holding | Nil outlook | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Five low cards in one suit | Safer | Several chances exist to play beneath the current winner. |
| Singleton king | Dangerous | The ace may not appear before you must play. |
| Q-8-4-2 in a side suit | Manageable | Three lower cards protect the queen. |
| J-9 of spades | Dangerous | Either trump can become high late in the hand. |
| No card above 10 and one low spade | Promising | Few natural winners remain, though the full deal still matters. |
How a partner covers Nil
The covering partner tries to win tricks that might otherwise fall to the Nil bidder. Lead high cards in suits where the Nil hand appears vulnerable, and overtake opponents when leaving them in control would force the Nil player to win.
Cover has limits. A partner cannot rescue an ace trapped in the Nil hand and may need to sacrifice the team contract to protect the 100-point bonus. Use early plays to learn which suits need help.
How opponents set Nil
Attack a suit where the Nil bidder appears short or holds suspicious middle cards. Lead low cards beneath the Nil player when turn order allows, forcing that player to contribute a possible winner.
Avoid automatically taking every trick. Sometimes leaving a medium card winning is the direct route to setting Nil, even if it gives the opposing partner an easy cover opportunity later.
Score-aware Nil decisions
Nil is most attractive when the 100-point swing materially changes the match. A team far ahead may not need the risk. A team behind near the end may need it, even from a hand that is merely plausible rather than ideal.
Account for bags too. Because the partner’s tricks still contribute to the team total, aggressive cover can create overtricks and a bag penalty.