Mara comes back from behind

The lead passed from hand to hand, 5 times over — it was anyone's guess.

1 point. That's all. Mara won in the blink of an eye — so don't blink. It didn't start well — only 5th after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. And that despite a slip in the very last hand.

Raluca led for 10 hands but finished second, 1 point behind. The last hand decided it: Raluca went past Ilinca right on the line. In the first of the closing eights: Raluca called 2, took 5, and Luis was left out in the cold.

Ilinca rounds out the podium with 100 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. Ilinca was ahead of Raluca right up to the last hand. 2 hands in a row: Ilinca broke the contract each time while everyone else made theirs.

In 4th place, Pity, on 86 points. After the seven-card hand on the way up, Pity was 2nd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans. Pity couldn't bear to look 3 times 🙈 — some cards are not meant to be seen.

Last place, with dignity: Luis, with 84 points. Somebody had to do it. Top of the table after the five-card hand on the way down, then straight to the bottom. The plan at home didn't match the one at the table. In the fourth of the opening eights: Luis said 0, scooped 3, and Ilinca was left counting the pieces.

Congratulations to all — see you at the next table!