Elena comes back from behind

The lead changed hands 5 times — nobody got comfortable at the top.

Elena crossed the finish line first, on 131 points. It didn't start well — only 3rd after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. At one stretch, 13 good hands in a row.

Second place for Radu, with 117 points. So close to the top they can still taste it — bittersweet. Radu was even in front after the five-card hand on the way up.

Third, on the podium: Leize, up there with eyes on the top step. Leize got past Ioana at the very last hand. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Leize didn't — but insisted, with dignity.

In 4th place, Ioana, on 107 points. Level on points with Leize, and behind only on the tie-break. In the third of the closing eights: Ioana called 1, took 4, and Elena and Radu were left out in the cold.

In 5th place, Ana, on 97 points. The last hand decided it: Ana went past Mihai right on the line.

Mihai closes out the table, with 97 points. "Last one buys the coffee" — as they say at the table. Level on points with Ana, and behind only on the tie-break. Mihai was ahead of Ana right up to the last hand.

Well played everyone — and especially Elena!