The comeback of Mihai

A game of broken contracts — 36 of them around the table, and scores from 97 all the way down to 79.

Emi closes out the table, with 79 points. "Last one buys the coffee" — as they say at the table. The table was Emi's after the last of the opening eights; the second half had other ideas. In the seven-card hand on the way up: Emi called 0, took 3, and Mihai was left out in the cold.

Elena completed the podium with 82 points. The last hand decided it: Elena went past Emi right on the line. 2 hands in a row: only Elena slipped, while the rest said it and did it. The cards were kind to everyone but Elena.

Kiki finishes second, 11 points short of gold. Silver shines, but not quite the same. Kiki got past Emi at the very last hand.

First place: Mihai, with 97 points. In the first of the closing eights: Mihai said 1, scooped 4, and Kiki was left counting the pieces. It didn't start well — only 4th after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there.

Congratulations to all — see you at the next table!