TheCourier |yourconroenews.com | Monday, January 4, 2021 | A11 COFFEE BREAK

BRIDGE signaling methods, and Even thoughpartner has wasworth the riskof Afterward, Iwondered occasionallythrowup atextbook preempt, game extra undertricks to hope if Ishould have risked By Philip Alder instructive points. This is theoreticallyimpos- for amisdefense.Iled a4-0 diamond break by Notonlyhavemany week,let’slook at deals in sible. the diamond king and, firstplaying my lowdia- of us been playing more whichIwas involved. At BBO, though, eight when West followedsuit, mond to dummy’sjack, bridgethan usual, but What do youthink of out of 13 Souths did shoot Iovertook with dummy’s to avoidadvertising my also it has mostlybeen at the bidding?How would out three no-trump, four ace. Then Iplayedalow king. BridgeBase Online.What youplayinthree no- passed, and one jumped spade. Butwhen declarer do yougain from these trumpafter West leads a to five diamonds. Sevenof Luckily, Ihad an op- seems to be trying to games? fourth-highestclubseven: those in three no-trump ponentwho is asigned-up sneak aninth trick, don’t They allowyou to heart five,clubqueen, took their eight winners member of the second let him. Here,ifEast stretchyour brain, iron ace? and conceded down one. hand lowclub. He let me hadwon the firstspade, out kinksinyour part- South reallyought to Thelastplayer—guess sneak aspade to my king Icould have gone down nershipbidding and pass overthree diamonds. who! —decided thatit and nine tricks in all. four! ARLO AND JANIS

Answer to previous puzzle

BLONDIE

HAGAR

FRANK &ERNEST

Dennis the Menace FamilyCircus

MUTTS

Rhymes With Orange NEA CROSSWORD ACROSS 1Orange veggies 5Chi follower 8Cab driver 12 Portent 13 Rapper Tone — 14 Siberianriver 15 Additional 16 Pithy saying 18 Complain MADALYN ASLAN HOROSCOPE The Stars Showthe Kind of Day You’ll Have: 20 Verbal abuse 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive;3-Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult 21 Alphabet ender HAPPY BIRTHDAY forMonday,Jan. regulations. Reading and planning is fa- 22 Did lunch 4, 2021: vored and aids in solving an old problem. 23 Carriedon Direct, conceptual and structured, you Tonight: Answer emails and calls first. 26 Formerly(2wds.) organize amastermind of asuccess this LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) ★★★★ 29 Northern Iraqi year.Animaginative idea takes you a Today allows you to resolveproblems 30 Comparable long, long way. Youusually work best on with grace and subtlety.You find pleasure 31 Kiel conjunction your own, butyou work brilliantly with in helping those who are sad, troubled or 33 Mexican Mrs. disadvantaged. Tonight: Rest. 34 Porter and stout others in 2021. ARIES is amazed by you. 35 Dull colour ARIES (March 21-April 19) ★★★ A SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) ★★★★ Youwill knowwhat you want most. 36 Passes abill touch of confusion makes daily work 38 Fidgety rather hectic. Relax and regroup. Be Goals are redefined and clarified today. 39 Guanabara Bayport gentle with your body.Tonight: To bed Don’tfeel sad if afriend drifts away.New 40 —Tome early for along, restful sleep. associates will be drawn to you soon. 41 Drescher or TAURUS (April 20-May 20) ★★★★★ Tonight: Online networking. 11SAS competitor Saturday’sPuzzle Solved Tarkenton 17Regularly Today transforms and uplifts your at- SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22-Dec. 21) 43 Spotted wildcat titude about love.You recoverfrom old ★★★★★ Asurprise might befall you 19 Mr. Danson 46 Parkinglot picnic 22 Defectsand all heartaches and discovernew sources of at work. Newcareer developments turn 48 Play award delight. Tonight: There’sanew zest to out to be ablessing. Co-workers are vo- (2 wds.) 50 Foundationbeam 23 Yr. parts your love life. cal, and newcolleagues appear.Tonight: 51 Triumph GEMINI (May 21-June 20) ★★★★ Studying is rewarding. 24 Subtle glow 52 Missing 25 Mortarboard Background music played softly adds CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. 19) 53 Carnivore’squarry greatly to your hours at home. Tonight: ★★★★★ Asofter trend emerges today wearer 54 Winddir. 26 Luau strings Afamily member unexpectedly shares and affects goals and priorities. It is an 55 Fourquarters thoughts and feelings. optimum time to crystallize plans and 27 Swingaround 28 Singles CANCER (June 21-July 22) ★★★ makecommitments. Tonight: Others trust DOWN Today begins with interesting gossip and and confide in you. 30 Lowvoice 1—Kippur 32 Salon intriguing ideas being expressed. Listen AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb.18) ★★★ 2Out of control and learn, butdon’tbetoo easily swayed. Keep desires and compulsions balanced; application 3Name in game 34 Mimicking Tonight: Youmust strive to resolvedis- there is an intensity present. Some finan- shows putes. cial and investment strategies are worth 35 An earth 4Reacted to pepper science LEO (July 23-Aug.22) ★★★ Today examining to boost security.Tonight: 5“The Good —” brings amore grounded mood. Youwill Visit online with those dearest to you. 37 By word of 6Second-year mouth 44 Clarinet kin followthrough with plans to assure secu- PISCES (Feb.19-March 20) ★★★★★ student 45 “Private Dancer” rity.Tonight: Get organized and keep up Youwill feel more lovedand cherished, 38 —kwon do 7Fritz, to himself 40 Panorama singer with obligations. with others drawing closer to you. Any 8Tossed 46 Recipeamt. VIRGO (Aug.23-Sept. 22) ★★★★ legalmatters turn to your advantage. 41 Livestock show 9Soprano’s rendition 42 Annoy 47 Impress deeply Today brings newideas and goals to a Tonight: Youfeel aheightened spiritual 10 Hogshead 49 Poet’salways partner.Becareful to followall rules and energy. 43 Elevatorguy