The lead kept changing — Ana came out on top

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

Elena closes out the table, with 72 points. "Last one buys the coffee" — as they say at the table. Elena was ahead of Monica right up to the last hand. 2 hands in a row: only Elena slipped, while the rest said it and did it. The cards were kind to everyone but Elena.

Monica rounds out the podium with 75 points. Bronze still counts as a medal. The last hand decided it: Monica went past Elena right on the line.

Mihai took second with 87 points — a fine evening, but the gods of whist were busy elsewhere. 2 hands in a row: the table said and did, Mihai said and... hoped. It didn't hold. Mihai was even in front after the five-card hand on the way down.

Ana wins by 26 clear. That's not whist any more, it's a parade with a brass band. In the three-card hand on the way down: Ana said 0, made 3, and the evening was ruined for Monica. At one stretch, 6 good hands in a row.

Well played everyone. Same table next time?