Every experienced Spades player knows that it is wrong to lead an ace when trying to defeat an opponent's nil bid. In fact, an ace lead against a nil is one sure sign that a beginner is driving. But there are exceptions. Watch East's elegant endgame defense topple North's speculative shot at a nil.

105 J10974 K76 1062 KJ93 K85 1092 A73 8764 A632 J5 J65 AQ2 Q AQ843 KQ84 West North East South 4 nil 2 5 North led the 6

North's hand does not meet the standards for nil if it were dealt in a regular game, but borderline nils should be bid in duplicate tournaments. North played the Q to the opening lead, losing to West's A. The 10 went to the Q and South played the A, relieving her partner of the troublesome king. Now South exited in hearts to West's king. On the club return, North gambled the 10 and was rescued once again by her partner's Q. A third club gave the lead to East for the first time.

East returned a low heart, cut by South for her fourth trick. She cashed the A to fulfill her bid and played off the Q so she could settle back and avoid any bags. These were the remaining cards with West on lead after having won the king of spades:

- 974 6 -- J3 5 2 -- 64 A2 -- -- -- -- 843 4

The nil set would have been a cinch if West had found the heart lead, but, alas, he threw out the 3. (I can only report events, not try to justify them.) North pitched her diamond and East now had the lead.

There'd be no story if East followed the Spades player's natural instincts and laid down the 2. But East had been counting. The A hit the table. North relaxed, believing the opponents were now willing to cash out their winners. But it was too soon to send the congratulatory "ncp." As South could only watch in horror, East produced the deadly deuce of hearts.

Play in Duplicate Spades tournaments daily at http://www.e-spades.com.