A tug of war, won by Ionela

The lead passed from hand to hand, 4 times over — it was anyone's guess.

Ionela finished level with Luis on 81 points and took the win on the tie-break: fewer broken contracts. In the six-card hand on the way up, Ionela bid 0 and took 3 — and Mihai went down with it.

Luis finished second, just 0 points short of the win. Level on points with Ionela, and behind only on the tie-break. Luis was even in front after the six-card hand on the way up.

Radu completed the podium with 48 points. In the third of the opening eights, Radu bid 3 and took 6 — and Mihai went down with it. 2 hands in a row: only Radu slipped, while the rest said it and did it. The cards were kind to everyone but Radu.

The tail of the table: Mihai, with 48 points. Somebody has to hold the candle. Level on points with Radu, and behind only on the tie-break. After the two-card hand on the way up, Mihai was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Congratulations to all — see you at the next table!