Ioana comes back from behind

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

Ioana finishes on 144 points, 26 above the next — the rest were playing a different game, it seems. It didn't start well — only 3rd after the opening eights — but it clearly didn't end there. 10 good hands in a row — at one point, Ioana was playing as if they could see everyone else's cards.

Elena took second with 118 points — a fine evening, but the gods of whist were busy elsewhere. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only Elena didn't — but insisted, with dignity. Elena was even in front after the seven-card hand on the way down.

Third, on the podium: unf0rgettable, up there with eyes on the top step. 2 hands in a row: the whole table kept its word, only unf0rgettable didn't — but insisted, with dignity. unf0rgettable spent a long time on the red lantern and came out clean — determined not to buy the round.

Neither at the front nor at the back: Ana in 4th, with 109 points. The comfort zone. The place above was a single point away. After the two-card hand on the way up, Ana was 2nd and dreaming of the podium — but the last hands had other plans.

Mihai closed the table from the back, on 98 points — there is always a next game. 2 hands in a row: Mihai broke the contract each time while everyone else made theirs.

Well played everyone — and especially Ioana!