DAILY CROSSWORD
ACROSS
Break away from the pack Mixer setting One in a deli dozen Accent sound? Eligible voters Bill nos. Strips on a tree Under-the-bed figment, hopefully
“__ 281”: film about the making of “Citizen Kane” Crest Capital city that’s home to the Garden of Babur
“__ Blues”: “White Album” track
Heat fig. Burrito filling word
“Be right there” Words dismissing the statement that preceded them “That’s enough of that”
“__ porridge hot ...” Cybertalk elements “Portlandia” network Rhyme scheme for Edward Lear Sounds from squeaky toys? 45 Emulating 46 “The Wiz” tune with the lyric “You’re the bravest of them all” 48 Samples 51 Former? 52 Seriously sedate 54 Dictate
55 Covert ’50s-’70s
federal flier 56 Eminem-inspired word for a rabid supporter Wicked “stawm” 1 10 14 16 17 18 19 20 22 23 25 27 28 29 30 34 36 37 38 39 42 43 57
DOWN
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 15 21 24 26 “The only thing that matters”: cummings Not typical of Property claimant Loans drawn as needed: abbr. Stud stake Spanish cable network Audition user? Height of one’s ability Cleanse goal Hockey announcer’s “Great stop!” Principal place of operations One breaking in World Cup tiebreakers, for short Dance judge Goodman Camel performers Deceive Wisconsin’s Fond du __
DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:
“Simple Saturday” columns are meant to help advancing players improve their technique and logical thinking.
Beginning players tend to pay scant attention to their discards. “Keep winners, throw losers” is often a guide. But some discards are “informative” and help partner with his defense.
Today’s West leads a low heart against 3NT: three, queen, king. South leads a diamond to dummy’s ace and returns a diamond.
East discards the deuce of hearts, and South plays the jack. When West wins, he may not be sure how to continue. East’s play of the queen of hearts marks South with the jack, and if South still has J-x, West must find East with an 28 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 39 Agreement with Satan, by most accounts Capital of Hesse Average __ Not cool
“I’d say ...” Check into Strauss opera New Deal agcy. Disappointing reply to “Where’s the last chocolate truffle?” ace as an entry for a heart return.
If West trusts East’s discarding, his problem is solved. East’s deuce of hearts says he had an original four-card holding.
If East began with Q-9-2, he would discard the nine. So West can confidently lay down his ace for down one.
DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ J106 ♥ A10765 ◆ Q84 ♣ J 10. Your partner opens 1NT. The next player passes. What do you say?
ANSWER: Most pairs handle this hand with a “transfer” response of two diamonds, asking partner to bid two hearts. Then they bid 2NT, showing about eight points with a five-card suit, and let him place the 40 Cool-weather material 41 Reagan defense secretary Weinberger 43 “Coming along?” 44 Opening 47 Hoppy initials 49 On the water 50 Shutterbugs’ buys
51 Woolf’s “__ Dalloway”
53 One on the water contract. He can pass, correct to three hearts, bid 2NT or 3NT, or jump to four hearts. With three 10s, the hand is worth inviting game.