North 6 3 2 10 8 4 A 6 4 3 9 5 2 West A K Q 7 5 9 8 Q J 8 5 2 7 East 4 Q 7 5 2 K 7 A J 10 8 4 3 South J 10 9 8 A K J 6 10 9 K Q 6 The bidding: West North East South 5 nil 1 5 West led the 5

Study all four hands to see if you can figure out how North's nil was busted.

A rarely used strategy against nil is the endgame. It is based on drawing trumps so that nil's partner cannot protect the nil by ruffing. West led the five of diamonds to East's king, and won the diamond return with the queen. Since the ace had not yet appeared, West had a good idea of the diamond distribution.

At Trick Three, the two of diamonds was played and South had to trump his partner's three. South and East then traded some club and heart tricks, and West trumped in at the first opportunity to leave these cards. (See second diagram)

North 6 3 2 4 A 2 West A K Q 7 -- Q 8 -- East 5 Q 2 -- J 8 4 3 South J 10 9 J 6 -- 6

You can almost hear the hum of well-oiled machinery. Three rounds of spades pulls all the trumps, and North is spoon-fed a diamond.