In 2 instances, helpful people get a raw deal

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Louie and his partner had reached four spades in three rounds of bidding, and West led a trump. On the bidding, he expected dummy to have heart shortness.

Louie won, took the ace of diamonds and led a heart. When East won, he returned his last trump, and West took the ace and led a third trump, leaving dummy with none. Louie tried unsuccessfully to set up dummy’s fifth diamond and fourth club and ended with only nine tricks: four trumps, a heart, two diamonds and two clubs.

At the other table, the auction began one diamondone spade again, but North raised to two spades and South bid four spades. Since West had little idea of dummy’s pattern, he led a club.

South took the ace and led the queen of hearts. East won and led a trump, and West took his ace and led another trump, but South still got one heart ruff in dummy for his 10th trick.

I believe in raising a major-suit response with three-card support and a suitable hand. One benefit is that auctions are easier when a trump suit is set early. Today’s deal shows a further benefit: Auctions that give the defenders less information often lead to winning contracts.

Do you think Louie’s team was unlucky in this deal?

Dear Harriette: My brother, a tailor, is looking for work. I have been lending him money when I can.

One of my co-workers mentioned she needed some things hemmed. I told my brother, and he named his price. I told my co-worker, and the next day she brought in the items for him to work on. I drove the items to my brother, and when he was finished, I picked them up, took them to the woman, collected the payment and brought back the money. When I gave my brother the payment, he thanked me and put away the money. If it were me, I would at least have given the person who was helping me this way a few dollars toward gas. I’ve decided I need to set limits on how I help my brother in the future.

– Used in Chicago

Answer: The problem is that you were unclear with your brother about your expectations. Suggest that he pay back the amount he

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Aries (March 21-April 19): Take a stand, and honor your priorities. You have strong values and a keen sense of direction. A loved one tends to have a strong reaction. Taurus (April 20-May 20):

Keep striving to get more out of your life. Listen to ideas more openly, especially if they come from a trusted friend. Gemini (May 21-June 20):

Deal directly with a key person who might be a source of irritation. You need to address this issue only with this person. Cancer (June 21-July 22):

Defer to others; they need to feel dominant in order to feel valued. You’ll want to boost their sense of well-being, as it will make it easier for you to relate to them. Leo (July 23-Aug. 22):

You could be pushing yourself beyond your capabilities. Listen to someone’s idea or suggestion, but if you don’t feel comfortable, do not sign up to follow this course.

Virgo ( Aug. 23-Sept. 22): Your creativity surges to new levels. You enjoy having an active libido, probably more than anyone else around you. Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22):

Your ability to read between the lines helps you understand what is going on within your family and/or domestic life. has borrowed, even if it is in very small amounts, whenever he can.

Dear Harriette: I received a call the other day from a former colleague. She and her family didn’t have power after the hurricane. She asked if they could shower at our house. I said yes, but my husband didn’t like it. They came, and now he’s mad at me.

— Good Samaritan, N.Y.

Answer: It’s good that you helped your former co-worker. Now talk to your husband about how you did not intend to be disrespectful but did need to help someone in crisis. Send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Universal Uclick, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.

Scorpio (Oct. 23- Nov. 21): You might want to rethink a decision more carefully and be direct with others. Listen to news with care.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21): Be aware that by agreeing to a proposition that makes family members happy, you could be costing yourself a lot of money.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19): You could be more in touch with your feelings than you have been in a while. A friend might become more detached.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18): You might need to pull back and see what is going on. You’ll want to say less for now. Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20):

Try to sort through ideas and reality. You might have created a fog around yourself, as you cannot see some situations clearly.

So-so

What the stars mean:

Dynamic

Positive

Average

Difficult