HOROSCOPE

Horoscope.com

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

ARIES — Today rethink all the social values you take at face value. Like the rest of us, you learned them at an early age and accepted them unthinkingly. Established concepts of propriety are especially deserving of consideration. After hearing for years about all those things that “just aren’t done,” isn’t it refreshing to think that maybe they should be done after all?

TAURUS — Today is an ideal day to shop for a new wardrobe.

You may find your usual style too conventional or uncomfortably trendy. Sometimes you reject outfits you really like out of fear they’re too suggestive, old fashioned, or something else.

Perhaps you should listen to your good judgment for a change instead of being so concerned about what other people might think.

GEMINI — The topic of the day is knowledge and learning. Did you study the field you really wanted to? Do you feel bad about not having attended such-andsuch school or program? If these issues are uppermost on your mind today, remember that your creativity has little to do with the degrees you hold.

CANCER — The planetary alignment is favorable, and you’re in the process of reaping the benefits, Cancer. It was only a matter of becoming aware of and settling certain matters related to your need for social recognition. Don’t be so hungry for approval, Cancer. Everybody contains a stern inner parent and can survive comfortably in total selfsufficiency.

LEO — You may feel hemmed in by the role models society currently offers. As you struggle to reach your own definition of the truly innovative achiever, other people sometimes criticize your rather liberated attitude. Just because your ideas aren’t in sync with theirs in no way invalidates them. If your ideas are too radical, theirs are too conventional.

VIRGO — The results of the recent planetary influence are coming home to roost, Virgo. If everything went according to plan, you gained some insight into your ego. Buddhist wise men say that the path to spiritual fulfillment lies in knowing how to build a healthy ego while developing a part of oneself

By FRANK STEWART

Tribune Content Agency

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

“Some religious denominations preach that wives should obey their husbands,” a club player told me. “I can relate to that. My wife has been doing my bidding for years. She bids both sides of the table.”

My friend opened 1NT as South.

When he bid two spades in reply to Stayman, his wife bid six!

“She said I never would’ve bid slam,” South told me, “so she had to do it for me.”

West led a trump, and South took the A-K. When East showed out, South was doomed. He took the ace of clubs, led a heart to his hand, ruffed a club, came to his ace of diamonds and ruffed a club, but the defense got a trick in each side suit.

Overbid

“I told my wife she had overbid,” South said. “She said that was true, with me declaring.”

After South wins the first trump, he must take the ace of clubs, then play a low heart from both hands. He wins the next trump and proceeds thus: club ruff, king of hearts, club ruff, ace of diamonds, draw trumps. Then he can run the hearts for 12 tricks.

Daily Question

You hold: A 7 5

Q 8 7 A. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one heart and completely foreign to the ego. Are you working hard at this?

LIBRA — A small crisis is still a crisis, isn’t it, Libra? You can expect one in your personal life today. Since you aren’t the kind of person who lets issues go unresolved, you won’t be able to put off dealing with your problems any longer. Are responsibilities shared equally with your partner? Are you each making an equal effort to maintain harmony?

SCORPIO — Something has to change. You knew it as soon as you woke up this morning. Your mirror provides the impetus for important resolutions today. Is it time to begin a diet, commit to exercising more, or strengthen your resolve to quit smoking? Anything you do to improve your appearance will make you feel a lot better about yourself.

SAGITTARIUS — The only good thing about being on an emotional roller coaster is that you never feel the same way for long. One moment you’re up, the next you’re down. You can’t figure out what it is you want. Rather than drag your loved ones along on the ride, get away from your usual environment. You will be a lot better off alone.

CAPRICORN — You might want to check your alarm clock to be sure it really woke you up this morning. Your tendency today will be to stay in the cocoon of your little dream world, deep in your own thoughts. Obsessive thoughts, in particular, will try and drown out some more pressing issues from the past that need resolution once and for all. Ring! It’s time to wake up!

AQUARIUS — There’s something in the air pushing you toward change or renewal. Is it time to change your wardrobe or redecorate your home? If so, today’s the day. If you have a budget, you will find it just as fulfilling (and a lot cheaper) to rid your home of all the things that just aren’t “you” anymore. Surround yourself with things you love.

PISCES — The good news is this - it gets better. There could be some trying times in store, Pisces. If you’re a parent, the children will ask for something every five minutes, and you may feel pressure from all sides. Not even your love life is immune from the doubt that seems to hover over your head. No compromise is possible for you, Pisces.

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

he bids one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: This is a mighty good hand to bid only four spades. Your aces and queen of diamonds are ideal; partner may win 12 tricks if he has K Q 9 6, 2, A K J 6 5, 8 7 6. A possible call is four clubs, a “splinter” jump to show a spade fit, club shortness and slam interest. Another is a “fourthsuit” bid of two clubs to hear more from partner. South dealer