Your Birthday
FRIDAY, MAY 12, 2017
Make a focused effort to simplify your life. Ease stress and put any pending problems to rest. Once you clear the way, you will be open to doing the things that bring you the most joy. Follow your heart to stabilize your life personally and professionally.
TAURUS (April 20-May 20) — Talks and travel will lead to discovery. Don’t feel that you must start something on a large scale. Baby steps will lead to long-term stability and satisfaction.
GEMINI (May 21-June 20) — Socializing should be scheduled. Getting together with friends or taking part in a challenge will spark an entertaining and informative discussion with someone who has plenty to disclose.
CANCER (June 21-July 22) — Dig in and get things done. Channel your energy and enthusiasm into helping a cause or the people who mean the most to you. A change in lifestyle will boost your morale.
LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) — A trip or gathering should be planned. You’ll shine if you speak up at events. Sharing your thoughts will motivate yourself and others and will add to your popularity. Love is highlighted.
VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) — Anxiety will turn into anger if you let situations fester. Be honest about the way you feel and what you want to see happen to make life better.
LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) — You’ve got a handle on whatever comes your way. Indulge in talks and bring about the changes you want to see transpire. Travel and romance are highlighted.
SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) — Tie up loose ends at work and prepare to walk away with a clear conscience. Spend time doing something that brings you joy or inspires you to make personal changes.
SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. 21) — The temperature is rising when it comes to romance. Don’t sit back when you should be putting your feelings on the line and making plans to enjoy the company of someone special.
CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) — Take a greater interest in your personal relationships. Striving to keep things equal will be more difficult than anticipated. If you ask for suggestions, you’ll know where you stand.
AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. 19) — You’ll enjoy the comforts of home and family. Plan to host a party or make special plans for you and a loved one to spend some alone time. Your playful attitude will be irresistible.
PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) — Emotional confusion will lead to trouble. Don’t make assumptions or get angry without just cause. Dig deep and find out what you need to know before you say something you’ll regret.
ARIES (March 21-April 19) — A partnership looks promising. You stand to make financial and emotional gains if you change your living arrangements or negotiate a new contract.
Dan Quayle said, “We are ready for any unforeseen event that may or may not occur.”
At the bridge table, unforeseen events happen. Look at the North hand in the diagram. Your partner opens two clubs, and the next player overcalls two diamonds. What would you do?
Despite the anticipation that, because of the prevailing vulnerability, East will not carry the auction to a high level, it looks like a good opportunity to bid two spades. How bad can it be to get your sixcard suit into the auction?
Well, on this deal from Bridge Base Online, it resulted in North’s ending in six spades. At three tables, the clever East led the heart queen. West ruffed and cashed the club ace.
At two other tables, North made the slam after a diamond lead by reading the distribution perfectly. Do you see how?
Some Norths passed to let partner describe his hand. When South rebid two no-trump, North transferred into spades, then control-bid four diamonds. This resulted in six spades by South at three tables. Each West led the club ace, giving declarer an easy ride.
After a diamond lead, however, declarer must endplay West in clubs. Declarer discards a heart and wins with the diamond ace. He draws trumps, throws another heart on the diamond king, ruffs a diamond, cashes the heart ace, crosses to the heart king and ruffs the last diamond. Then he plays a club to his king. West wins with the ace and is endplayed. If he returns a low club, declarer runs it to the 10. Or, if West leads a diamond, it concedes a ruff-and-sluff.
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