FOR BETTER OR FOR WORSE® by Lynn Johnston

THE BORN LOSER by Art Sampson

GRIZZWELLS by Bill Schorr

PEANUTS by Charles M. Schulz

BEETLE BAILEY® by

CLOSE TO HOME by John McPherson

THE LOCKHORNS by Bill Hoest

BLONDIE® by Dean Young

ALLEY OOP® by Dave Graue and Jack Bender Astrograph PISCES (Feb. 20-March 20) will fetch compliments. -- A reasonable request LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) -- A should not be denied, but you change will take place if you must know where to draw the get together with colleagues line. Someone’s behavior or sign up for activities that TUESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2018 should be pointed out if it’s include older or younger Think big and look over all upsetting people you love. friends or relatives. An offer or your options, but when it ARIES (March 21-April 19) proposal looks interesting. comes to making important -- Be careful what you wish VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. 22) -- decisions, it’s in your best for. Offers, gifts and found Pick up small items that you interest to listen to your heart. money are apparent, but want to have on hand for the Ignore someone trying to take expect to pay a price for what upcoming festivities. Make advantage of you. Work alone you receive. Personal gain will arrangements to visit older and stick to a set budget. have stipulations attached. friends and relatives or SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 23-Dec. FRANK AND ERNEST® by Bob Thaves TAURUS (April 20-May 20) include them in your plans. 21) -- Be reasonable when -- Concentrate on personal LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 23) -- engaging in festivities or offer- changes that will make you A change in the way you feel ing your services to others. It’s look and feel your best. If you about someone will lead to a important to put your time and put quality before quantity, surprise that will bring you effort where they will count you will be happy with the great joy. Travel plans or a most. Put family first. results. Romance should be a promise you make will bright- CAPRICORN (Dec. 22-Jan. priority. en your day. 19) -- Make a couple of minor GEMINI (May 21-June 20) -- SCORPIO (Oct. 24-Nov. 22) adjustments at home to help Don’t let your generosity leave -- Update your look or pick up prepare for special events or you short of funds. It’s OK to something that will give you settle in for family fun. help others, but first look out the sophisticated appearance Romance is highlighted. for yourself and your loved you searching for. Your AQUARIUS (Jan. 20-Feb. ones. Indulgent tendencies uniqueness will be admired. 19) -- Make changes for the should be squelched. Romance is highlighted. right reasons, not because CANCER (June 21-July 22) someone else wants you to ® -- You’ll come up with a great HAGAR THE HORRIBLE by Dik Browne make them. Being helpful is gift idea for a loved one. Strive one thing, but letting others for stability and equality when take advantage of you is it comes to important relation- another. ships. A physical improvement Bridge FIVE BIDDING TOPICS well to make a card-showing AND MANY DEALS responsive double, not plunge into a hopeless five hearts. West, Melih Ozdil is a Turkish and with such a flat hand, had no rea- American international who lives son to bid higher. in City. His book, West leads the club king. East “Competitive Bidding,” covers overtakes with his ace and five topics: overcalls, takeout returns the suit. West wins with doubles, defense against weak his 10 and cashes the club queen, twos, defense against higher pre- under which East signals encour- ® empts and balancing. agingly with the diamond eight. GARFIELD by Jim Davis The bidding instruction is thor- West shifts to the diamond ough, if a tad terse, with many two, low guaranteeing an honor example hands. In the 276 pages, in the suit. East wins with his the numerous deals with bidding king and leads back the diamond and card-play points are very four. Then West continues with beneficial. either his last club or diamond. In this example from the book, When East ruffs with the spade how should the defense go jack, it effects an uppercut, pro- against four spades doubled? moting West’s spade queen for North made an aggressive down three. jump to game, which would usu- East ruffs high, not low, ally have included five-card sup- because he knows that South is port, but one may make that bid out of whichever minor West with four trumps and a void. chooses; he has seen all 13 cards Also, North anticipated that his in that suit. opponents could make a vulner- Available at baronbarclay.com able four-heart contract. East did and bridgeworld.com.