Galfond Challenge: 'VeniVidi1993' Battles Back with €88,465 Win
On Wednesday, Phil Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ played the 22nd session of their ‘Galfond Challenge’ match. The two battled for another 556 hands of €100-200 PLO on Run It Once Poker and this time it was ‘VeniVidi1993’ coming out on top to the tune of €88,465.60.
Galfond entered Wednesday’s session having won five of six sessions since the two returned to play from the hiatus that was taken. When the two took a break, prompted by Galfond’s decision to take time to regroup, ‘VeniVidi1993’ was up more than €900,000. Entering Wednesday, Galfond had trimmed the deficit to under €600,000. With this latest result of ‘VeniVidi1993’ winning almost €90,000, Galfond’s deficit increased to €677,007.72.
Although Galfond did suffer a loss of more than four buy-ins on Wednesday, he was down more than €160,000 during the course of the session before he battled back in the later stages to not be down as much.
At this stage of the Galfond Challenge between Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993,’ the two are 13,974 hands complete. They’re slated to play 25,000 hands, with Galfond risking €200,000 in side action to the €100,000 of ‘VeniVidi1993.’
One of the big pots won by ‘VeniVidi1993’ on Wednesday was the following one worth €53,822. He scooped it with a full house.
With €16,795.34 in the middle on the 
board, ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked and Galfond bet the full pot, leaving himself with €1,718 behind. ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised all in and Galfond went into the tank. Having so much committed and so little behind, Galfond not snap-calling the shove didn’t spell good things for the Run It Once Poker owner. Eventually, Galfond made the call.
Galfond had the 
for a ten-high straight. ‘VeniVidi1993’ had the 
for a full house, eights over sixes, and he won the pot.
Later on, Galfond was caught bluffing and ‘VeniVidi1993’ picked up a €26,669.98 pot.
On the 
board, there was €7,269.98 in the middle and ‘VeniVidi1993’ led with a bet of €1,817.50. Galfond stuck in a raise to €9,700 and ‘VeniVidi1993’ made the call.
Galfond revealed the 
for just a pair of sixes. ‘VeniVidi1993’ had the 
for two pair and he won the pot.
A third big pot that was won by ‘VeniVidi1993’ was the following one, and it was worth more than €58,000.
After preflop action, Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ took a 
flop. Galfond checked, ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €1,835.49 into €3,599, and Galfond check-raised to €9,105.47. ‘VeniVidi1993’ moved all in for €27,386.76 and Galfond made the call.
It was the 
for Galfond against the 
for ‘VeniVidi1993.’ The turn was the 
and the river was the . ‘VeniVidi1993’ stayed in front with his set of nines and pulled in the €58,372.52 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 |
| – | – | – | – |
| Total | 13,974 | VeniVidi1993 | €677,007.72 |
What’s Next for the Galfond Challenge?
The Galfond Challenge between Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ will continue on Thursday, March 12 starting at 12 p.m. ET.
The match is currently 13,974 hands complete. The two are scheduled to play 25,000 hands, with Galfond putting up €200,000 in side action to the €100,000 of ‘VeniVidi1993.’
Be sure to stay tuned to PocketFives for more on the Galfond Challenge.
