Who doesn’t love a six-figure coin flip? That’s basically what the ‘Galfond Challenge’ between Phil Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ is down to.

Through 24,302 hands of their 25,000-hand challenge, ‘VeniVidi1993’ holds a small lead of €8,171.67 over Galfond. The remaining 698 hands should be cranked out in one final session that will decide it all, with Galfond having an additional €200,000 on the line up against the €100,000 of ‘VeniVidi1993.’

The two have now played 38 sessions of €100-200 PLO on Run It Once Poker. Through the first 15 sessions, ‘VeniVidi1993’ put a hurting on Galfond to the tune of more than €900,000 total. Galfond took an extended break, paid a few penalties for missed sessions, and returned with a comeback for the ages, fully wiping out the deficit.

Now, it’s one final session, scheduled for Sunday, April 12, to decide it all.

Friday’s session saw ‘VeniVidi1993’ get the lead early, but then Galfond battled back to move in front. During the middle bit of the session, ‘VeniVidi1993’ was out in front and it looked like he might run away with things. Galfond fought back, though, and ended up the day in the black by €23,581.50.

Giving some worry to Galfond backers early was the loss of a huge €65,209.64 pot that Galfond suffered to ‘VeniVidi1993.’

Galfond checked the  board with €7,198 in the middle and ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet the pot. Galfond check-raised to €28,792, leaving himself with just €213.82 behind. ‘VeniVidi1993’ shoved and Galfond called.

Galfond had the for trip fives. ‘VeniVidi1993’ had the for a full house, deuces over fives. The river kept ‘VeniVidi1993’ in the lead and he hauled in the big pot.

Just when it looked like ‘VeniVidi1993’ was going to really pull away from Galfond in the middle portion of Friday’s session, Galfond started clawing back, including winning the following €14,397 pot.

With €4,799 in the middle on the board, Galfond checked and ‘VeniVidi1993’ fired a pot-sized wager. Galfond called and the river was the . Both players checked and it was Galfond’s  that won him the pot with a flush. ‘VeniVidi1993’ mucked his hand.

Another pot involving a Galfond-winning flush was the following one worth €10,791. This one also came during the middle portion of Friday’s session when ‘VeniVidi1993’ was winning on the day but Galfond was fighting back.

There was €1,199 in the middle on the board and ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked. Galfond bet €1,199 and ‘VeniVidi1993’ made the call to see the complete the board. ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked, Galfond bet a pot-sized €3,597, and ‘VeniVidi1993’ quickly called.

Galfond showed a queen-high flush with the  and ‘VeniVidi1993’ mucked his hand.

Nearing the end of the session, Galfond got paid off in the following €32,391 pot.

After ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked the board, Galfond bet a pot-sized €3,599. ‘VeniVidi1993’ made the call and the hit the river. ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked and Galfond bet €10,797, which was the full pot amount. ‘VeniVidi1993’ made the call.

Galfond revealed the  for an eight-high straight and ‘VeniVidi1993’ mucked his hand.

Challenge Results To Date

What’s Next for the Galfond Challenge?

The Galfond Challenge between Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ has just 698 hands to go. After a break on Saturday, April 11, for the Run It Once Poker charity event to benefit COVID-19 relief to take place, Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ will be back on Sunday, April 12, for another session of €100-200 Pot Limit Omaha on Run It Once Poker. Sunday’s session should be the final session between these two. With the gap being so small, it’s anyone’s game to win.

Be sure to stay tuned to PocketFives for more on the Galfond Challenge.