Diversions

Thought for Today

“The worst form of inequality is to try to make unequal things equal.” — Aristotle

Horoscope

By Horoscope.com

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Aries: Today you could put a lot of energy into mundane chores and tasks, as you won’t want them hanging over your head and interfering with your evening plans. As a result, Aries, you might feel very stressed and your temper could be a bit short. Try to control it and avoid taking your frustrations out on others. Remember, you will have to face these people again.

Taurus: You might be planning or leaving on a much-needed vacation now, and feeling very excited about it. Plans should go smoothly, Taurus, so you’re apt to get everything together with few glitches. Friends in distant places might ask you to visit or be planning visits of their own. The focus today is on expansion of your physical and mental horizons.

Gemini: Ambitious plans for your future could necessitate your giving a lot of attention to practical matters, such as finances. This could be a drag, Gemini, but if you’re serious about your ideas, it needs to be done. A friend, probably a man, could pitch in and help you make sense of everything. Don’t try to get it all done today.

Cancer: The coming days promise a busy social time, Cancer. You might host a party at your home. You may feel terribly rushed and wonder if you will be able to get everything done. Don’t worry. It will all come out all right. Friends or family members could prove invaluable in lending assistance.

Leo: Your energy level should be high today, Leo, so you’re going to feel restless and spend most of your time out and about. There might be some chores you need to get done at home, but family members should help and you’re apt to finish them all quickly. Paperwork might need to be completed, which could be the slowest of all your tasks. Don’t get frustrated.

Virgo: You may be looking forward to an evening with close friends, Virgo, probably including a romantic partner. Occasions such as sporting events, movies, or concerts could be on your agenda. Activities involving children are also possible. Don’t be surprised if you’re inclined to sit quietly and let others do the talking.

Libra: Members of your household may feel a bit restless today, and therefore might spend most of their time out and about. You might take advantage of everyone’s absence to catch up on work you need to do alone, Libra. This is going to be a busy day with lots of outside contact.

Scorpio: Your neighborhood is likely buzzing with activity today, Scorpio. New neighbors could move in, improvements could be made, and new businesses could open their doors. Expect a lot of visitors and calls. A man with a child could play a big role in these events.

Sagittarius: The promise of possible financial advancement could cause you to plunge into a lot of paperwork today. This could be related to a job, Sagittarius, or it might involve a personal project that you’ve been working on. You might get so caught up in what you’re doing that you lose your ability to focus and get too frazzled to finish.

Capricorn: Your physical energy is likely to be very high today, and you might want to spend most of your time out and about, probably in the company of others. You may attend a concert this evening or some other kind of entertainment that you really enjoy. There might be a slight delay in getting there, Capricorn, but don’t panic. You should arrive eventually.

Aquarius: This is a good day to spend some time alone, Aquarius. You may have projects you want to finish, and you have the energy to get a lot done. You could feel restless, but socializing might not be a good idea. Tempers may be short and frustrations high among those in your social circle. Quarrels might break out. Get out on your own, then work on whatever you want.

Pisces: Discussions in a group you’re affiliated with could get heated as disagreements escalate. A goal you’ve been working toward might finally near fulfillment, Pisces, and tempers are short. You may avoid arguments, but the situation could still make you uncomfortable. You might decide to leave early and go for a workout or walk. This is a good idea.

Daily Bridge

By FRANK STEWART Tribune Content Agency

Tuesday, February 7, 2023

Another sign beside a church in my town: “Teaching kids to count is good. Teaching them what counts is best.”

Counting is often what counts at bridge. Counting the defenders’ hands can help declarer locate a missing card. Against today’s four spades, the defense began with three rounds of clubs, and declarer ruffed with the ace of trumps. West discarded a diamond; East had held six clubs. South next drew trumps, finding West with three. Declarer then led the king of hearts, and West won and returned a heart. South won and ruffed his last heart in dummy. East-West followed.

THIRD CLUB

South knew that West had started with three spades and two clubs. South figured that on the third club West would have discarded from his longer red suit. So South took the ace of diamonds and let the ten ride, playing West for diamond length. Making four.

Note that if West had thrown a heart on the third club, South would have had a complete count after he ruffed a heart in dummy.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: A K J 10 6 K Q 8

A 10 5 6 4. Your partner opens

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

one heart. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: You will have 13 tricks if partner has a suitable minimum hand such as Q 4, A J 9 6 4, K 4 3, A 9 5. Tell him immediately that slam is in sight and enlist his cooperation: Jump to two spades, planning to show your heart support next. Some pairs have adopted “weak jump-shifts,” but the strong treatment leads to smoother auctions to slam. South dealer E-W vulnerable