The comeback of Ioana

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

Mara closed the table from the back, on 93 points — there is always a next game. In the first of the closing eights, Mara bid 2 and took 5 — and Elena went down with it.

Mihai finishes right in the middle — neither hot nor cold — 5th, with 105 points. The last of the closing eights: -5 in one breath. It happens even in the best houses, but it still stings.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Elena in 4th, with 121 points. The comfort zone. After the two-card hand on the way up, Elena was 2nd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Third, on the podium: Radu, up there with eyes on the top step. Radu was ahead of Ana right up to the last hand. Radu was even in front after the third of the middle eights.

Ana finishes second, 9 points short of gold. Silver shines, but not quite the same. Ana got past Radu at the very last hand. Ana was even in front after the last of the opening eights.

Ioana gathered 140 points and the hearts of the crowd. Bravo! It didn't start well — only 6th after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. At one stretch, 21 good hands in a row.

Well played everyone — and especially Ioana!