The lead kept changing — Mara came out on top

The lead passed from hand to hand, 5 times over — it was anyone's guess.

Denisa took last place without any nerves at all, on 52 points. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Denisa didn't — but insisted, with dignity. Before the last eights, only 5 points off the podium — the pace just didn't hold.

Elena rounds out the podium with 80 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. In the first of the middle eights, Elena bid 2 and took 5 — and Denisa went down with it.

Monica took second with 89 points — a fine evening, but the gods of whist were busy elsewhere. 2 hands in a row: only Monica slipped, while the rest said it and did it. The cards were kind to everyone but Monica. Monica was even in front after the last of the opening eights.

Mara took the game with 117 points and a 28-point cushion — never really in doubt. 11 good hands in a row — at one point, Mara was playing as if they could see everyone else's cards.

Well played everyone. Same table next time?