Mihai, from start to finish

An evening with a bit of everything, except contracts kept: 41 slips at the table and scores from 99 down to 63.

Mihai took the game with 99 points and a 20-point cushion — never really in doubt. In front from the third of the opening eights to the end, and nobody got close enough to worry about.

Radu took second with 79 points — a fine evening, but the gods of whist were busy elsewhere. 2 hands in a row: only Radu slipped, while the rest said it and did it. The cards were kind to everyone but Radu. Radu spent a long time on the red lantern and came out clean — determined not to buy the round.

Third, and on the podium: Cretu, with 66 points. 13 behind Radu, 3 ahead of Elena — right in the thick of it.

Last place, with dignity: Elena, with 63 points. Somebody had to do it. In the second of the middle eights: Elena said 2, scooped 5, and Cretu was left counting the pieces. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Elena didn't — but insisted, with dignity.

Well played everyone — and especially Mihai!