Galfond Challenge: €121,486 Win Gives Galfond Overall Lead
Phil Galfond finished Monday’s ‘Galfond Challenge’ session against ‘VeniVidi1993’ with a €121,486.95 victory and is now up €81,064.56 overall.
Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ battled for 758 hands of €100-200 PLO on Run It Once Poker on Monday, pushing their Galfond Challenge to 22,097 hands complete. The duel is slated to span 25,000 hands, which means they’ve got 2,903 hands to go. It’s now Galfond’s challenge to lose, as he’ll take the overall lead into Tuesday.
Following the 15th session between these two, which came back on February 9, ‘VeniVidi1993’ was winning by more than €900,000. That’s when Galfond decided it was time to take a break and the two went on hiatus until March 4. Since the return from hiatus, it’s been all Galfond in an incredible comeback effort.
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On Monday, the session was dominated by Galfond, as he led from start to finish. There were times when ‘VeniVidi1993’ pulled things back in his direction, but ultimately Galfond was too tough.
The first hand we’ll look at from Monday’s session was the following €49,734.24 pot that Galfond won with trip nines.
‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €3,599 on the 
flop, which was a pot-sized bet, and Galfond made the call to see the 
pair the board on the turn. ‘VeniVidi1993’ fired €3,563.01 and Galfond called again. The river was the 
and ‘VeniVidi1993’ moved all in for €15,905.61. Galfond quickly called.
‘VeniVidi1993’ showed the 
for trip nines with a queen kicker. Galfond had the 
for trip nines with a king kicker and he won the pot.
Not long after, Galfond won another big one from ‘VeniVidi1993,’ this time to the tune of €62,660.82.
With €7,198 in the middle on the 
board, ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked and Galfond bet €3,599. ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised to €17,995 and left himself with €9,736.41 behind. Galfond shoved and ‘VeniVidi1993’ quickly called.
Galfond had the 
and ‘VeniVidi1993’ had the 
. The river was the 
and Galfond won the pot with two pair, jacks and tens.
‘VeniVidi1993’ tried to bluff Galfond a little while later, but it didn’t work. Galfond had a full house that ‘VeniVidi1993’ ran right into.
‘VeniVidi1993’ bet a pot-sized €3,980.68 on the 
board and Galfond called to see the 
land on the river. Out came another pot-sized bet from ‘VeniVidi1993,’ as he fired €11,942.04. Galfond made the call.
Galfond had the 
for a full house, sixes over aces. ‘VeniVidi1993’ was bluffing with the 
and the pot went Galfond’s way.
In another big pot going to Galfond, he scooped one worth €39,999 thanks to his set of eights holding up.
Galfond checked the flop and ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €803.33 into a pot of €1,199. Galfond made it €2,206.16 to go, ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised to €7,817.48, then Galfond made it €19,400 and was all in. ‘VeniVidi1993’ made the call.
‘VeniVidi1993’ revealed the 
and Galfond had the 
. The turn was the 
and the river was the to keep Galfond’s set of eights best and he won the pot.
Challenge Results To Date
| Hands Played | Daily Winner | Amount Won | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Day 1 (Jan. 22) | 655 | VeniVidi1993 | €72,572.68 |
| Day 2 (Jan. 23) | 715 | Phil Galfond | €2,615.26 |
| Day 3 (Jan. 24) | 557 | VeniVidi1993 | €84,437.52 |
| Day 4 (Jan. 25) | 581 | VeniVidi1993 | €17,544.87 |
| Day 5 (Jan. 27) | 726 | VeniVidi1993 | €155,063.52 |
| Day 6 (Jan. 28) | 703 | VeniVidi1993 | €13.31 |
| Day 7 (Jan. 30) | 823 | VeniVidi1993 | €52,057.13 |
| Day 8 (Jan. 31) | 940 | VeniVidi1993 | €60,743.37 |
| Day 9 (Feb. 1) | 446 | VeniVidi1993 | €12,706.51 |
| Day 10 (Feb. 3) | 696 | VeniVidi1993 | €100,993.30 |
| Day 11 (Feb. 4) | 741 | VeniVidi1993 | €15,647.36 |
| Day 12 (Feb. 6) | 622 | Phil Galfond | €87,940.91 |
| Day 13 (Feb. 7) | 470 | VeniVidi1993 | €267,949.70 |
| Day 14 (Feb. 8) | 593 | VeniVidi1993 | €48,473.73 |
| Day 15 (Feb. 9) | 659 | VeniVidi1993 | €102,593.34 |
| Day 16 (Mar. 4) | 574 | Phil Galfond | €183,481.38 |
| Day 17 (Mar. 5) | 582 | VeniVidi1993 | €21,571.51 |
| Day 18 (Mar. 6) | 555 | Phil Galfond | €27,198.94 |
| Day 19 (Mar. 7) | 638 | Phil Galfond | €26,018.41 |
| Day 20 (Mar. 9) | 566 | Phil Galfond | €92,803.89 |
| Day 21 (Mar. 10) | 576 | Phil Galfond | €3,766.94 |
| Day 22 (Mar. 11) | 556 | VeniVidi1993 | €88,465.60 |
| Day 23 (Mar. 12) | 598 | Phil Galfond | €23,821.05 |
| Day 24 (Mar. 13) | 628 | Phil Galfond | €19,099.65 |
| Day 25 (Mar. 14) | 664 | Phil Galfond | €139,485.78 |
| Day 26 (Mar. 19) | 539 | Phil Galfond | €110,752.58 |
| Day 27 (Mar. 20) | 645 | VeniVidi1993 | €76,026.05 |
| Day 28 (Mar. 21) | 503 | Phil Galfond | €140,979.28 |
| Day 29 (Mar. 26) | 642 | Phil Galfond | €85,271.31 |
| Day 30 (Mar. 27) | 777 | VeniVidi1993 | €26,992.32 |
| Day 31 (Mar. 28) | 393 | Phil Galfond | €106,328.51 |
| Day 32 (Apr. 2) | 664 | Phil Galfond | €113,680.87 |
| Day 33 (Apr. 3) | 632 | VeniVidi1993 | €28,538.21 |
| Day 34 (Apr. 4) | 680 | Phil Galfond | €28,722.88 |
| Day 35 (Apr. 6) | 758 | Phil Galfond | €121,486.95 |
| – | – | – | – |
| Total | 22,097 | Phil Galfond | €81,064.56 |
What’s Next for the Galfond Challenge?
Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ will be back in action on Tuesday, April 7, for more €100-200 Pot Limit Omaha on Run It Once Poker. Galfond has the overall lead but there are still 2,903 hands to go to see who wins this Galfond Challenge. In addition to the money won on the virtual felt, Galfond is risking €200,000 in side action to the €100,000 of ‘VeniVidi1993.’
Be sure to stay tuned to PocketFives for more on the Galfond Challenge.