Ioana comes back from behind

The cards were dealt, and so were the nerves. Here is the story.

Ioana won with 133 points, by a whisker: just 2 points ahead. In the last of the middle eights, Ioana bid 1 and took 4 — and Ana went down with it. It didn't start well — only 5th after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there.

Mihai led for 17 hands but finished second, 2 points behind. 13 good hands in a row — at one point, Mihai was playing as if they could see everyone else's cards.

Radu completed the podium with 127 points. In the third of the closing eights, Radu bid 1 and took 4 — and Mihai went down with it.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Ana in 4th, with 114 points. The comfort zone. After the five-card hand on the way up, Ana was 2nd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Elena finished 5th with 104 points. After the two-card hand on the way up, Elena was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Last place, with dignity: Cristian Imparat, with 99 points. Somebody had to do it. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Cristian didn't — but insisted, with dignity.

Congratulations to all — see you at the next table!