The same hand of cards can call for a completely different bid depending on the score. Down 200, you push. Up 200, you play safe. Knowing when to shift gears is what separates players who finish games from players who blow leads.
When you're ahead
Bid tight. Take exactly your bid and no more. You don't need bags, you don't need to grab extras — you need to keep the lead safe until the target score. Underbid by half a book if the hand is borderline; a set is worse than a made-with-nothing-extra.
Especially avoid Blind Nil. When you're ahead, you don't need the swing. Miss it and you hand the game to the other team.
When you're behind
Push. Overbid slightly, look for Nil opportunities, and take swings you'd normally avoid. A team that's 150 points down and playing safe loses. A team that's 150 down and hunting for a 100-point swing has a chance.
Blind Nil at −200 or worse is often the correct call even on a mediocre hand — the risk math changes when losing is the default outcome.
The Blind Seven denial
If the opponents are at 200 or below in your target-500 game, they can call a Blind 6 for a big swing. If they're low enough (below zero), a Blind 7 or Blind Nil is on the table.
Deny them the opportunity by not letting the game get lopsided. Keep the score close through the middle of the game so they can't take the Blind swings that only work from behind. If the game does get lopsided in your favor, expect Blind bids and prepare to punish them.
