Diversions

Thought for Today

“Ben Franklin may have discovered electricity- but it is the man who invented the meter who made the money.”

— Earl Warren

Horoscope

By Horoscope.com

Monday, March 20, 2023

Aries: Pay attention today, Aries. There may be some unethical behavior occurring at work, and it could trigger some long-buried anger. You may have difficulty keeping your emotions in check, but you need to. Honest communication is the only way you can get through this day. Once you’ve calmed down, you might want to approach the person who’s behaving irresponsibly.

Taurus: Check and double-check any information that comes your way today, Taurus. There’s deception and discontent in the air, which is an unfortunate combination under any circumstances. Research before you judge. Gossip is likely to fly around the office. Run for cover when necessary.

Gemini: Don’t take your bank or portfolio statement at face value today, Gemini. Financial errors are likely. Someone may want you to see things from his or her viewpoint, which may not be based on fact. Check and double-check important figures that cross your desk. You’re the only one you can trust to truly work in your best interests.

Cancer: You won’t feel particularly social today, Cancer. You’d be happiest at home with a good book, a good meal, and no contact with the outside world. Alas, such solitude isn’t always possible. You may have to balance your need for isolation with obligations to colleagues.

Leo: All isn’t quiet at home today, Leo. There’s tension in the air. You can’t shake the feeling that someone is lying. You’re a peacemaker by nature, so your inclination is to suppress your suspicions. In this instance, your instincts are right. The person withholding information is doing it for your own good and will come to you once the situation has been resolved.

Virgo: It’s strange how past incidents can still cause such pain in the present. Today you may feel overwhelmed by memories of a particularly traumatic incident. No one is more surprised than you by your reaction. You felt sure you’d addressed this issue and put it behind you. Apparently there’s still work to be done, Virgo.

Libra: It’s apparent that something underhanded and unethical is occurring at your job today, Libra. Co-workers could try to manipulate situations and take advantage of proprietary information to use to their own benefit. Steer clear of office politics and refrain from participating in any gossip. Trust your instincts. You know who can and who can’t be trusted.

Scorpio: Don’t trust anyone today, not even people you consider friends, Scorpio. There are indications of deception all around, especially at work. Someone may be keeping something from you or even manipulating information to his or her own advantage. Be sure to check the facts of any situation.

Sagittarius: Don’t trust anything related to money or contracts today, Sagittarius. This isn’t a good day to enter into any kind of contract, whether it’s starting an investment program, negotiating a salary, or changing banks. There’s a lot of miscommunication and misunderstanding in the air.

Capricorn: This isn’t the day for contracts or legal work of any kind, Capricorn. You may think you understand everything about a document, but it’s likely you don’t. The atmosphere is ripe for misinformation and misunderstanding. You will be well served today if you keep to yourself and do your work carefully and systematically.

Aquarius: Trust your instincts regarding anyone you meet today, Aquarius. There are unethical people around, and one of them may enter your circle. Entering into legal contracts or business or personal partnerships of any kind is absolutely out of the question. Don’t even go to renew your driver’s license, as you’re likely to fail the eye exam! Stay home and save contracts and bureaucracy for another day.

Pisces: If you wake up this morning and feel glued to the bed, perhaps that’s where you should spend the day, Pisces. You’ve been working hard and long these past few weeks. It only makes sense that your body would rebel eventually. This is a day for rest and relaxation.

Daily Bridge

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Monday, March 20, 2023

Suppose you order out a large pizza, and when the delivery man arrives, he offers you a second large one — plus a complimentary tin of antacid tablets — for a dollar more. Would you accept the offer?

Declarer can often take advantage of a two-for-one offer. In today’s deal, North’s jump-raise to three hearts shows game-invitational strength, and South thinks enough of his good trumps, side aces and spade singleton to bid slam. West leads the queen of diamonds, and declarer takes the ace and draws trumps. How should South continue to give himself the best chance for 12 tricks?

Overtrick

South can succeed if he wins either a second spade trick or a third club, but he can combine his chances. South should take the K-A of clubs.

When the queen falls, he is home (with an overtrick). If instead EastWest played low clubs, South could finesse with the queen of spades.

The correct play might cost an extra undertrick, but a 50-point investment in making a slam is worthwhile.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: K 10 7 6 3 7 5 K 8 5 2

Q 9. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond. Your partner doubles, and the next player

Sudoku

Codeword Puzzle

INSTRUCTIONS

Fill in the grid so every row, every column and every 3-by-3 grid contains the digits 1 through 9. that means that no number is repeated in any row, column or box.

Sudoku puzzles appear on the Diversions page Monday through Saturday.

Crossword Puzzle

Answers to previous CODEWORD

How to play Codeword

Codeword is a fun game with simple rules, and a great way to test your knowledge of the English language. Every number in the codeword grid is ‘code’ for a letter of the alphabet. Thus, the number 2 may correspond to the letter L, for instance. All puzzles come with a few letters to start. Your first move should be to enter these letters in the puzzle grid. If the letter S is in the box at the bottom of the page underneath the number 2, your first move should be to find all cells numbered 2 in the grid and enter the letter S. Cross the letter S off the list at the bottom of the grid. Remember that at the end you should have a different letter of the alphabet in each of the numbered boxes 1- 26, and a word in English in each of the horizontal and vertical runs on the codeword grid.

Puzzle

passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s double promises opening values or more and suggests help for the unbid suits.

If you had K 10 7 6 3, K 5, 9 8 5 2,

Q 9, your hand would call for a jump to two spades, inviting game. As it is, your king of diamonds may be a worthless card for offense, so a response of one spade is enough.

South dealer

Neither side vulnerable