The comeback of Petru

The lead passed from hand to hand, 4 times over — it was anyone's guess.

Catalin took last place without any nerves at all, on 78 points. Started like a champion — top of the table after the last of the opening eights — and finished like a tragedy. In the fourth of the middle eights: Catalin said 2, scooped 6, and Adrian Gh and Cristian Imparat were left counting the pieces.

Adrian Gh finished 5th with 96 points. In the fourth of the closing eights: Adrian said 0, scooped 3, and Catalin was left counting the pieces. 2 hands in a row: the table said and did, Adrian said and... hoped. It didn't hold.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Cristian Imparat in 4th, with 107 points. The comfort zone. After the first of the closing eights, Cristian was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Laura completed the podium with 116 points. Laura was even in front after the six-card hand on the way down.

GIBO finishes second, 16 points short of gold. Silver shines, but not quite the same.

Petru crossed the finish line first, on 139 points. It didn't start well — only 4th after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. At one stretch, 14 good hands in a row.

Well played everyone. Same table next time?