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

The fourth player to bid has the most information, and is expected to adjust the final bid according to the game situation.

North-South were trailing 393 to 357. When South picked up his hand he evaluated it as a five-bid. West bid first and went nil; East's modest call of one would bring his side to 500+ points, enough for the game. What choice did South have? It was either beat the nil or try for the ten-trick bonus. South stretched to seven.

There was nothing to the play. South waited until he could ruff the second heart and then led two rounds of trump. West was determined to stay nil, so East and West reeled in 12 tricks for the victory.

A pair can usually win two tricks more than their cards indicate if there is a nil on board. When there is a choice between trying to sink a nil or increasing the bid, they will usually do better by taking the offensive.