Barladeanu comes back from behind

5 changes of leader: this one was a tug of war.

First place: Barladeanu, with 127 points. In the fifth of the opening eights: Barladeanu said 0, scooped 3, and Ioana was left counting the pieces. It didn't start well — only 3rd after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there.

Laura finishes second, 9 points short of gold. Silver shines, but not quite the same. One card, a single card, and Laura still got it wrong on the one-card hand. It happens even in the best houses.

Ana completed the podium with 117 points. The place above was a single point away. Ana was even in front after the six-card hand on the way up.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Ioana in 4th, with 103 points. The comfort zone. After the two-card hand on the way up, Ioana was leading the table — but the last hands had other plans.

In 5th place, Radu, on 91 points. One card, a single card, and Radu still got it wrong on the one-card hand. It happens even in the best houses.

The tail of the table: PaulP, with 91 points. Somebody has to hold the candle. Level on points with Radu, and behind only on the tie-break. In the last of the opening eights, PaulP bid 3 and took 6 — and Ana went down with it.

Well played everyone — and especially Barladeanu!