Nil in Spades — Rules, Risk & Partnership Play

What Nil means

A bid of 0 is called Nil: you are declaring that you will take no tricks. A successful Nil is worth +100 points to your partnership; a failed Nil is −100 points. (The rest of the team’s bid still scores normally.)

You bid 0 in the bidding phase. Everyone at the table knows you are attempting Nil.

Nil scoring on this site

You bid Nil (0) and take 0 tricks → +100 bonus for your team. If you take any trick, Nil fails → −100 penalty.

The rest of your team’s bid still scores normally: partner’s tricks count toward the partnership contract. If you take a trick while on Nil, the −100 penalty applies even if the team otherwise makes its bid.

Which tricks count where

Tricks won by the Nil bidder do not count toward making the team’s combined bid, but each such trick still counts as a sandbag (overtrick) for the team. That rule punishes failed Nil attempts twice: −100 for the Nil and +1 bag per extra trick.

How your partner should help

• Lead suits where you are void so you can discard danger cards.
• Take winners in suits where you hold honors that would force you in.
• Avoid leading your partner’s only remaining suit when they must follow and win.
• Communicate through legal play only — no table talk in online Spades.

When to try Nil

• Short suits and low honors in every suit — few forced winners.
• Many small cards; avoid scattered aces and kings that win cheap tricks.
• Score situation: Nil is attractive when +100 would put you ahead or catch up.
• Skip Nil when you must win an early trick to unblock partner’s long suit.