THE STATE JOURNAL n FRANKFORT, KENTUCKY n FEBRUARy 24 , 2012 n PAGE B11 CONTRACT BRIDGE bidding quiz BY steve Becker Three diamonds is mentions clubs, and you can You are South, and the forcing, because both you best show this by leaping to bidding has gone: and partner have been five clubs. The jump-raise South North bidding constructively in this sequence guarantees 1 ♠ 2 ♦ all along, and the chief four trumps and therefore a ♥ ♣ 2 3 purpose of saying only three void in diamonds. After you diamonds at this stage is ? jump to five clubs, the rest What would you bid now to allow partner to reveal is up to partner. For Better or Worse with each of the following whether he has a game or three hands? a slam in mind. It would be 3. Three hearts. Partner 1. ♠ AKJ83 ♥ AJ74 ♦ Q96 ♣ 10 wrong to bid three notrump does not know you have five 2. ♠ KQ952 ♥ AK86 ♦ -- ♣ QJ43 instead, because that would hearts, so you should rebid 3. ♠ AQJ65 ♥ KQ942 ♦ J8 ♣ 4 indicate minimum values them to clarify the nature * * * for your opening bid. It of your hand. You hope 1. Three diamonds. would also tend to describe partner will either raise Your partner has made two 5-4-2-2 distribution rather hearts or support spades forcing bids, so you should than 5-4-3-1. Your next belatedly, in which case you assume that he has not only move will depend largely plan to settle for game in the necessary values for on what partner does over the suit of his choice. game, but possibly also the three diamonds. If partner next repeats values needed for a slam. 2. Five clubs. A raise to one of his suits, you will Even though you have four clubs would suggest that show a preference for substantially more than you had only a minimum your first two bids indicated opening bid and were diamonds, raising four -- you have 15 high-card responding to three clubs diamonds to five or bidding points and might have had merely because partner had four diamonds over four only 12 -- the best you can forced you to bid again. But clubs. Of course, if partner do at this point is to bid you have much more than bids three notrump over three diamonds. a minimum once partner three hearts, you will pass.

Note: Bigar's Stars is based on the degree of your sun at birth. The sign name is simply a label astrologers put on a set of degrees for convenience. For best YOUR HOROSCOPE results, readers should refer to the dates following each sign. BYU JACQ ELINE BIGAR ★★★★ Observe a tendency July 22) ★★★ You see life A baby born today has a to do the unexpected or from another perspective. Sun in Pisces and a Moon to experience quiet jolts An early upset could be in Aries. in your life. Strap on your somewhat difficult to come HAPPY BIRTHDAY for seatbelt. A powerful person back from. It hits you harder Friday, Feb. 24, 2012: in your life could be difficult than it does most people. This year you and controlling. You just Discussions evolve, and you demonstrate your skills might decide to walk away. will see the other side of a with dealing with financial Tonight: All smiles. situation. Tonight: Chill out changes. If you feel fortunate, TAURUS (April 20-May at dinner. buy a lottery ticket. Remain 20) ★★★ Take your time LEO (July 23-Aug. 22) in tune with your budget, making a decision. You ★★★★ You hear news that even if someone is talking might not be able to honor gets you going this morning. about a risk. Do not create a request from your in-laws Detach rather than react. You a problem. If you are single, or someone at a distance. It will make better decisions as be careful, as your work is possible that your saying a result. You might feel as if could become far less of "no" could cause a problem you have to do too much. Be a priority if you meet that careful about changing your special person. Romance when you least expect it. Be willing to see a situation schedule; you could upset a flourishes through May and key person. Tonight: Opt for through another person's into 2013. Power plays take something different. eyes. Tonight: Head home. on an important role when VIRGO (Aug. 23-Sept. relating to others. If you are GEMINI (May 21-June ★★★★ ★★★★★ 22) Remain sensitive attached, learn not to play 20) Zero in on to a boss or higher-up into a sweetie's controlling your priorities and find out who means a lot to you. ways. Be nonreactive. ARIES where your supporters are. Discussions occur on a might become very pushy. A problem with a partner or one-on-one level that help Learn the word "no." loved one could force you to resolve a problem. Everyone The Stars Show the make a change. Refuse to get wants events to happen his Buckles Kind of Day You'll Have: into a power play at all costs. or her way. Avoid a power 5-Dynamic; 4-Positive; 3- You won't win. Tonight: Find play by walking away from Average; 2-So-so; 1-Difficult your friends. a controlling individual. ARIES (March 21-April 19) CANCER (June 21- Tonight: Be a duo. LIBRA (Sept. 23-Oct. 22) ★★★★ Others are direct and know what they want. You could feel unusually tense when dealing with a key person. You sense a hidden agenda. Do not play into what you cannot see. Respond only to what Garfield is agreed upon. Tonight: Where the fun is. SCORPIO (Oct. 23-Nov. 21) ★★★★ Pace yourself and take your time; you will complete what is needed with more precision. Communication forces you to take a different look at a situation, whether you are open to it or not. Try to control your intensity. Tonight: Indulge in a favorite form of relaxation. SAGITTARIUS (Nov. 22- Dec. 21) ★★★★★ The fire associated with your sign comes out full blast. You need to handle a personal CROSSWORD PUZZLER matter differently, especially if it revolves around a power play. Listen to what is being shared. Tonight: Act like it is Friday night. CAPRICORN (Dec. 22- Jan. 19) ★★ Others don't know what ails you, but Andy Capp they recognize that you are not feeling up to snuff. You might be suppressing more emotions than you realize, creating a withdrawn attitude. You will see a situation far differently if you relax and open up. Tonight: Refuse to get caught up in a power play. AQUARIUS (Jan. 20- Feb. 18) ★★★★ Keep communication open. You might hear something that is so surprising, that even you need to sit down. Flex and get into the spontaneity of the moment. You might be more controlling than you think. Note your reaction to a change. Tonight: Meet friends. PISCES (Feb. 19-March 20) ★★★ You might see a situation much differently because of a change with your finances. You pull the Doonesbury wild card financially. Do not indulge a knee-jerk reaction. Look to the long-term. A friend might push too hard to have you follow his or her lead. Tonight: Treat a friend to munchies and a drink. BORN TODAY Co-founder of Apple Steve Jobs (1955), singer George Thorogood (1950), Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman (1942)

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