We always like to be dealt lots of spades. Whoever is dealt the most spades should win the game. Yes, spades are good. Can it ever be possible to have too many spades?

It is hard to imagine when spades can actually get in the way, but examples do exist. When you are defending against a nil bid, for instance, beware of your long spades. Do not be caught in a position in which you have nothing but spades in your hand. There are many different cases that apply. Let's examine a few.

High Spade

In this 5-card ending, North has a high spade that his partner can't cover. West, on lead, plays the 8. If East discards the 7 the nil can no longer be set. Unable to lead spades, West must play the 9. East does the best he can by trumping with a high spade and returning the deuce (hoping to catch North with the Qx), but this defense fails against the actual cards. East must trump his partner's 8, naturally using a high spade. Now he has an exit card in the7. It doesn't matter who wins; a low spade is played next, and East can take his other top spade and set with the deuce. This works fine if North's spades are either Qx or 10x. How should East know what to do? As long as he follows the principle of not being caught with all spades he need do no further analysis.

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

The 4-Spade Nil

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

As long as the game of Spades continues to be played, people will think a 4-spade nil is cool. Why not? They get away with it so many times because a defender is caught with all spades at the finish. Here, West missed an earlier chance to trump. Now it is too late. It does not matter who is on lead; North scampers home with his bid.

It should be obvious that if West had trumped earlier, he would have only three spades at this point plus a plain-suit card. North would be set at Trick 10, which happens frequently to 4-spade nillers.

The Side-Suit Set

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

Here is a full deal example to show yet another situation in which too many spades get in the way. South opened with the K, taken by the Ace. West made the fine shift to a low club, and East won the Ace. East returned a second heart won by the Q, and South persevered with a third heart.

East was at the critical junction. On the 9 he discarded the J. South now cashed the A (West throwing the Q), which brings us to this position:

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

Now the play of the 7 gave East the lead. He exited with the 10, overtaken by West's J, and the 3 forced North to play his Q. Alas, East had to cut. Both North and South made their respective bids.

East should have trumped the third heart rather than throw a diamond. Now the club return is effective. West overtakes and plays a third round to North's Queen. East has a plain-suit card (his last diamond) to play on this trick.

Shorten Your Spades

One does not need to see many moves ahead to find the right play in each of the above cases. Just remember to shorten your spades when you can so that you do not get caught holding nothing but spades.

Regards,
Popsicle