Radu takes the table

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

First place, no appeal: Radu, with 134 points.

Runner-up sounds good — gold sounded better. Kiki, with 118 points. In the last of the closing eights: Kiki called 3, took 7, and Cristian Imparat and Mihai were left out in the cold. 2 hands in a row: Kiki broke the contract each time while everyone else made theirs.

Third, on the podium: Elena, up there with eyes on the top step. In the third of the opening eights: Elena said 3, scooped 6, and Cristian Imparat and Ioana were left counting the pieces. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Elena didn't — but insisted, with dignity.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Ioana in 4th, with 101 points. The comfort zone. The last hand decided it: Ioana went past Mihai right on the line. 2 hands in a row: only Ioana slipped, while the rest said it and did it. The cards were kind to everyone but Ioana.

In 5th place, Mihai, on 99 points. Mihai was ahead of Ioana right up to the last hand. After the first of the closing eights, Mihai was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Last place, with dignity: Cristian Imparat, with 96 points. Somebody had to do it. Cristian was ahead of Ioana right up to the last hand. After the two-card hand on the way up, Cristian was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Well played everyone — and especially Radu!