Nicola comes from a strong bridge family; her parents, Pat and Nico Gardener both represented their country at International level. It was perhaps inevitable then that Nicola would grow up with a thirst for the game.

Nicola has won just about everything to win at the game. At world level she has won the Venice Cup twice (1981 and 1985) and the World Women's Individual once (1994) as well as silver medals in the Venice Cup (1976) and the World Women's Olympiad (1976, 1984, 1988, 1992). At European level, she has won the European Women's Teams 6 times (1975, 1979, 1981, 1997, 1999, 2001) as well as a host of other European competitions and has a clutch of silver and bronze medals at European women's level as well.She has played in the last seven Olympiads and Istambul will be her eighth running. Domestically she has won all the major competitions including the Gold Cup and the Spring Foursomes.

Spanning all this success and achievements has been four major partnerships: first with Rita Oldroyd from 1967 -1973, then Sandra Landy from 1974 - 1977, Rita again from 1977 - 1979, Pat Davies from 1980 until Pat's retirement in 1999 and most recently with Heather Dhondy from 2000 until the present time.

For many years after her father's death Nicola continued to run the London School Bridge in the King's road, Chelsea . She still teaches bridge and is training to be a healer.

In 1983, Nicola married Jonathan Smith. They have two children, Katherine, born in 1984, and Joshua, born in 1987.Katherine is at Oxford University reading French and Spanish, Joshua is currently doing his AS Levels.

In 1995, Nicola's contribution to the game of bridge was honoured at national level when she was awarded the M.B.E.by the Queen.