Ioana takes it in the closing rounds

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

Champion of the evening: Ioana, with 142 points. The rest, see you in the replay. In the second of the opening eights, Ioana bid 2 and took 5 — and Ana and Elena went down with them.

Radu led for 24 hands but finished second, 17 points behind. 11 good hands in a row — at one point, Radu was playing as if they could see everyone else's cards.

Third, on the podium: Elena, up there with eyes on the top step. Elena left the robot at the wheel most of the evening and still came out respectable. Teamwork with the server.

In 4th place, Mihai, on 101 points. After the four-card hand on the way up, Mihai was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Ana in 5th, with 73 points. The comfort zone. In the third of the opening eights, Ana bid 2 and took 5 — and Mihai went down with it. 2 hands in a row: only Ana slipped, while the rest said it and did it. The cards were kind to everyone but Ana.

Last place, with dignity: Vlad, with 71 points. Somebody had to do it. After the two-card hand on the way up, Vlad was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Congratulations to all — see you at the next table!