The comeback of Alina

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

Cosmin closed the table from the back, on 84 points — there is always a next game. From leader to red lantern. The little wedge tipped the big cart — and the cart was Cosmin.

Pity finishes right in the middle — neither hot nor cold — 5th, with 93 points. In the third of the opening eights: Pity said 0, scooped 4, and Alina was left counting the pieces. After the four-card hand on the way up, Pity was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

In 4th place, Vlad, on 101 points. Vlad was ahead of Mara right up to the last hand. 2 hands in a row: Vlad broke the contract each time while everyone else made theirs.

Florentin completed the podium with 106 points. The last hand decided it: Florentin went past Vlad right on the line. From the tail of the table to a warm spot: Florentin plays right down to the last card.

Mara finished second, just 2 points short of the win. The last hand decided it: Mara went past Vlad right on the line. In the third of the middle eights, Mara bid 1 and took 5 — and Florentin and Pity went down with them.

Alina won with 110 points, by a whisker: just 2 points ahead. It didn't start well — only 4th after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. 13 good hands in a row — at one point, Alina was playing as if they could see everyone else's cards.

Well played everyone — and especially Alina!