HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Saturday, February 18, 2023

ARIES — Miscommunication with someone far away could lead to bruised egos, heightened emotions, and angry phone calls. Don’t get sucked into a quarrel, Aries. Try to sort out the problem. Changes in your neighborhood could cause trouble getting around, so be prepared for blocked streets and heavy traffic.

TAURUS — Your psychoanalytical talents could be put to work today when misunderstandings come up. Your friends aren’t likely to be thinking clearly and may not respond to reassurances, Taurus. Use your intuition to determine the best way to defuse the situation.

GEMINI — A person you’re attracted to may seem to be interested in someone else. This could bring up your insecurities and jealousy. Don’t make yourself crazy, Gemini. Try to learn the facts before letting the situation get the better of you. Invitations to more than one social event for the same night might force you to make an uncomfortable choice. Make the choice that’s best for you.

CANCER — Someone is keeping secrets from you. We all have private issues we don’t wish to share, Cancer, but this affects you. Your intuition will probably tell you who this person is. Try to get him or her to open up without exerting pressure. Unfinished tasks could be driving you crazy. You may try to run through them quickly, causing too much stress.

LEO — Perhaps you planned to attend a group event but circumstances beyond your control got in the way. Maybe it was canceled. This could cause some disappointment for you and others, Leo. Find something else to do. A project of your own is likely to need some attention, and this challenge could keep you engrossed for hours. Tonight, treat yourself to dinner out.

VIRGO — A visitor who needs a little sympathy could visit you today. Your friend probably wants some advice about some problems. He or she could also bring information involving new scientific or metaphysical studies that you find fascinating. This information could trigger your own insights. Write down your ideas. You will want to remember them.

LIBRA — Some important plans, perhaps for a vacation or

Sudoku

Codeword Puzzle

involving education in some way, could be temporarily blocked by circumstances beyond your control, Libra. This can cause considerable upset and might even set your temper on edge. You may be tempted to take your frustrations out on others. It would be far more productive to find ways to make your plans work, even if there’s a delay. Go to it.

SCORPIO — A letter or phone call could bring upsetting news about money, Scorpio. Your first reaction may be to blame yourself or someone else, but the circumstances are probably beyond anyone’s control. Chances are good that it can be set right. Before anyone gets too upset, it’s best to investigate and find out what needs to be done.

SAGITTARIUS — Jealousy could rear its ugly head today, Sagittarius. This may involve a romantic relationship. Jealousy is often groundless. If you want to avoid an upset, try a little communicating. This is definitely the time to make the effort to turn a disadvantage into an advantage. Strong emotions can work for you under some circumstances.

CAPRICORN — Nervous tension could cause a temporary malaise that keeps your energy low today. Tasks and chores need to be done, Capricorn, so you will probably drag yourself up and try to finish them in spite of the way you feel. Try not to get overworked, and try not to take your weariness out on others. It’s better to let work go than make yourself and everyone else more stressed out.

AQUARIUS — A group with which you’re affiliated may be temporarily torn apart by politics and quarrels. If so, Aquarius, it’s best to stay out of it. A friend could be having trouble and come to you for advice and help. Don’t get too frustrated by his or her weaknesses. This could be a frustrating day for you - one best spent working on your own projects.

PISCES — Changes in your home could cause temporary frustration that creates some tension with family members. Perhaps you’re moving, cleaning, or refurnishing, and everyone is getting in everyone else’s way. The best way to handle this situation is to try to get the job done as quickly as possible. Once it’s done, Pisces, tempers will subside and all will be fine.

Daily Bridge

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Saturday, February 18, 2023

“Simple Saturday” columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking. Be right or wrong, but be decisive. The road of life is paved with flattened squirrels who couldn’t decide which way to go. Nobody can find the best defense every time, but a good defender looks for a way to beat the contract; he forms a plan and executes it.

When today’s East overcalled one heart, South’s free bid of 1NT suggested a bit more than minimum opening strength. Against 3NT West led the king of hearts: deuce, eight, four. When he led the queen next, East stewed and ... played the three.

MAKING THREE

West then led a spade. East took the ace and cashed his ace of hearts, but South had the rest. Making three. Indecision cost East 700 points. He knows South has a heart stopper and must assume South has only seven other tricks: four diamonds and three clubs. East defeats the contract if he overtakes West’s queen of hearts with the ace and leads the ten to set up two more heart tricks for the defense.

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-Saturday and on the crossword solutions page in Sunday’s Life section.

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

one diamond, your partner bids one spade, you raise to two spades and he tries 2NT. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner is trying for game and suggests notrump; he has about 11 points. You barely had an opening bid — some players would not have opened — so you can’t accept an invitation. Since you have four-card spade support and a weak doubleton, sign off at three spades. South dealer