Elena takes the table

The cards went out, and so did the egos. Here is what came of it.

First place: Elena, with 113 points. The rest, see you in the replay. And that despite a slip in the very last hand.

Luis finishes second, 8 points short of gold. Silver shines, but not quite the same. Luis was even in front after the six-card hand on the way down.

Mihai completed the podium with 103 points. In the first of the middle eights, Mihai bid 1 and took 4 — and Gigel went down with it. From the tail of the table to a warm spot: Mihai plays right down to the last card.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Gigel in 4th, with 71 points. The comfort zone. After the four-card hand on the way up, Gigel was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Last place, with dignity: Cristian Imparat, with 65 points. Somebody had to do it. In the first of the opening eights: Cristian said 2, made 5, and the evening was ruined for Mihai. After the two-card hand on the way up, Cristian was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Congratulations to all — see you at the next table!