The best chance of defeating the nil is to assume West went nil with four spades, as players will do. The low table total even suggests a four-spade nil.

South must give partner a club ruff. There's no hurry to do so, but once North ruffs he must immediately cash three rounds of spades. This sinks West on the spot, as he is left with the only spade.

If North fails to play spades after ruffing, North-South must eventually lead the third round of a red suit, and West escapes by underruffing his partner's spade.