Ioana takes the table

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

Ioana finishes on 146 points, 22 above the next — the rest were playing a different game, it seems. 13 good hands in a row — at one point, Ioana was playing as if they could see everyone else's cards.

Ana took second with 124 points — a fine evening, but the gods of whist were busy elsewhere. Ana was even in front after the last of the opening eights.

Mihai rounds out the podium with 119 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. In the last of the opening eights: Mihai called 3, took 6, and Elena was left out in the cold. From the tail of the table to a warm spot: Mihai plays right down to the last card.

Vlad finished 4th with 118 points. Vlad got past Elena at the very last hand. The place above was a single point away.

Elena finished 5th with 115 points. In the fourth of the middle eights: Elena said 0, scooped 3, and Vlad was left counting the pieces. Elena was ahead of Vlad right up to the last hand.

Radu took last place without any nerves at all, on 92 points. After the three-card hand on the way up, Radu was 2nd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Well played everyone. Same table next time?