Radu comes back from behind

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

Radu took the game with 149 points and a 30-point cushion — never really in doubt.

Mihai took second with 119 points — a fine evening, but the gods of whist were busy elsewhere. Mihai was even in front after the first of the middle eights. 11 good hands in a row — at one point, Mihai 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 got past Ioana at the very last hand.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Ioana in 4th, with 114 points. The comfort zone. The last hand decided it: Ioana went past Cosmin right on the line. After the first of the closing eights, Ioana was 3rd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Cosmin finishes right in the middle — neither hot nor cold — 5th, with 112 points. In the last of the opening eights: Cosmin said 0, scooped 4, and Elena was left counting the pieces. Cosmin was ahead of Elena right up to the last hand.

The tail of the table: Ana, with 98 points. Somebody has to hold the candle. 11 broken contracts, collected like stamps.

Well played everyone. Same table next time?