Galfond Challenge: Galfond Books Small Win On Day 2
Day 2 of the ‘Galfond Challenge‘ wrapped up on Thursday, with Phil Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993‘ playing another 715 hands of their 25,000-hand match on Run It Once Poker. After ‘VeniVidi1993’ jumped out to the early lead on Day 1, Galfond was the winner on Day 2 by finishing €2,615.26 in the black.
“Yesterday, the result was worse, but I felt better than I did today,” Galfond said on the live stream after the match was over. “Today kind of felt like I couldn’t get anything going or what I was trying to do wasn’t working. [VeniVidi1993] played very tough today, for sure.”
The duo has now played 1,370 hands and is 5.5% through their 25,000 hands. Through two days, ‘VeniVidi1993’ is up a total of €69,957.42. Remember, in addition to the money won or lost on the table, the two players have six figures in side action at stake, with Galfond’s €200,000 up against the €100,000 of ‘VeniVidi1993.’
“The thing about all poker, and especially heads-up, is that so much is going to be due to variance,” Galfond said. “Was I more out-matched today or did the cards not go my way? There are a lot of ways to run bad, right? You can get it in good and lose, or you can call the river and be wrong five times in a row. So it’s hard to tell, it’s always hard to tell early in a match and it’s still early, but I definitely felt less… not less in control, but it like I was treading water a little bit.”
It didn’t take long on Day 2 for the two players to play an all-in pot worth more than €40,000. Here’s how it went down.
On the 
flop, Galfond fired a pot-sized bet of €3,599. ‘VeniVidi1993’ called to see the 
land on the turn. Galfond bet €2,699.25 and ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised all in for €14,700. Galfond called, having his opponent slightly covered, and the cards were revealed.
Galfond showed the 
for top set of aces. ‘VeniVidi1993’ had the 
for flush and straight draws. The river was the 
to give Galfond the €40,197 pot.
Another big hand came in the form of a pot worth more than €52,000 that involved a preflop four-bet.
After ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised to €600 on the button, Galfond reraised to €1,800 from the big blind. ‘VeniVidi1993’ then made it €5,400 to go and Galfond called. The flop came down 
and Galfond checked. ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet the full pot for €10,799 and Galfond raised all in for €20,610.15. ‘VeniVidi1993’ called with the 
. Galfond had the 
. The turn was the 
and the river was the 
to give Galfond the €52,019.30 pot.
Galfond also lost a big €54,281 pot to ‘VeniVidi1993’ when his aces lost to a flush.
Galfond started the action with a raise to €600 on the button and ‘VeniVidi1993’ responded with a reraise to €1,800. Galfond then made it €5,400, and ‘VeniVidi1993’ called to see the 
flop. ‘VeniVidi1993’ took his time and then led out with a pot-size bet of €10,799. Galfond raised to €21,598, ‘VeniVidi1993’ went all in for €21,741.01, and Galfond called.
The cards were turned up to show Galfond’s up against the 
of ‘VeniVidi1993.’ The turn and river allowed ‘VeniVidi1993’ to finish with a diamond flush and give him the victory on this hand.
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 |
| – | – | – | – |
| Total | 1,370 | VeniVidi1993 | €69,957.42 |
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?
With 1,370 hands completed, the two sides still have a long way to go. ‘VeniVidi1993’ remains in the early lead having won a total of €73,556.41 over the first two days, but Galfond can make that up in one of two big pots.
Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ plan to resume play on Friday, January 24, at 11 a.m. ET. The play will once again be streamed on the Run It Once Poker Twitch channel.
Be sure to stay tuned to PocketFives for more on the Galfond Challenge.
