Galfond Challenge: Big Day for 'VeniVidi1993,' Wins €155,063
Phil Galfond is now down €327,003.33 to ‘VeniVidi1993‘ in the first match of the ‘Galfond Challenge.’ After taking a break on Sunday, the two resumed action on Run It Once Poker on Monday and played 726 hands of €100-€200 PLO. ‘VeniVidi1993’ came into the day up €171,939.81, and he just about doubled that lead with a €155,063.52 winning session.
Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ are slated to play 25,000 hands of €100-€200 PLO. They’re 3,234 hands into the battle and ‘VeniVidi1993’ has a substantial lead. With each buy-in being €20,000, ‘VeniVidi1993’ is up more than 16 buy-ins through 12.9% of the hands played.
In addition to the money won or lost on the virtual felt, Galfond is betting €200,000 to the €100,000 of ‘VeniVidi1993’ in side action.
To give you an idea of how the day went, let’s take a look at some of the highlights. We’ll start with the following pot of more than €41,000 where Galfond couldn’t push ‘VeniVidi1993’ off a flush.
With €5,611.32 in the middle on a final board of 
, Galfond checked and ‘VeniVidi1993’ fired a full pot-sized bet of €5,611.32. Galfond check-raised to €17,992.84 and was all in. ‘VeniVidi1993’ called with the 
for a king-high flush in spades. Galfond had the ace of spades with the 
, but the €41,597 pot was shipped to ‘VeniVidi1993.’
Another hand that didn’t go Galfond’s way involved him making the nut flush on a paired board and running into the full house of ‘VeniVidi1993.’ This pot was worth more than €43,000.
The board was 
and Galfond bet €9,693.98 into a pot of the same amount. He had €7,256.03 behind and ‘VeniVidi1993’ put him all in. Galfond called with the 
and ‘VeniVidi1993’ had the 
for kings full of sixes. That gave ‘VeniVidi1993’ the €43,594 pot.
A third hand that went the way of ‘VeniVidi1993’ was worth €39,999. It saw ‘VeniVidi1993’ win with a set of jacks against Galfond’s bluff.
On the board of 
, the pot was €10,797. ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €3,200 and Galfond raised all in to €14,601. ‘VeniVidi1993’ called with the for a set of jacks. Galfond had the 
and lost 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 |
| – | – | – | – |
| Total | 3,234 | VeniVidi1993 | €327,003.33 |
If Galfond Wins, Everyone Wins
During the Galfond Challenge, Run It Once Poker players have a chance to added rewards. Through Run It Once Poker’s ‘Splash the Winnings’ promotion, every player on Run It Once Poker has the chance to win on any day that Galfond wins in the challenge.
During the first two weeks of the Galfond Challenge, on any day when Galfond is profitable in a match, Run It Once Poker’s ‘Splash the Pot’ promotion will be doubled. For more information, including how you can sign up for Run It Once Poker, check out PocketFives’ dedicated page for the site.
What’s Next for the Galfond Challenge?
Another 726 hands were played on Monday, so Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ are now 3,234 hands through their 25,000-hand match. ‘VeniVidi1993’ extended his lead in a big way, but this one is still far from over.
Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ will be back on Tuesday, January 28, at 11 a.m. ET for more €100-€200 PLO on Run It Once Poker.
Be sure to stay tuned to PocketFives for more on the Galfond Challenge.
