Saturday marked another day of action in the ‘Galfond Challenge‘ between Phil Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993.’ The two battled at €100-€200 heads-up Pot Limit Omaha on Run It Once Poker for another four hours, with ‘VeniVidi1993’ winning €17,544.87 on the 581-hand session.

‘VeniVidi1993’ is now up €171,939.81 in the 2,508 hands that he’s played against Galfond. ‘VeniVidi1993’ has booked a winning session on three of four days played between the two competitors. The only loss that ‘VeniVidi1993’ suffered was on Day 2 and it was a small loss of €2,615.26.

The story of the fourth day of action was the final 30 minutes or so of play. That’s when the action really ramped up and the chips were flying. The two picked up the pace quite a bit from the speed at which they had been playing to that point, and there were a handful of big pots that swung one way or the other.

Galfond spoke about the final portion of play after the session was done. He referred to it as a “wild one” and said it was partly because both the cards being dealt helped create action and the two players had gotten more comfortable playing big pots.

“I think probably both of us were playing a little bit more aggressively in the end than we were throughout, but it started, I think, just because of the cards,” Galfond said to Joe Stapleton on the Run It Once Poker Twitch stream.

Regarding the pace of play picking up from both players, Galfond said it was likely because the two were getting a bit tired. He also said that he would grade his play on Saturday a little better than the C grade he gave himself on Friday.

“I guess I’d give myself a B minus today,” Galfond said. “I had I think some really strong moments and some very weak moments, so I think maybe as many mistakes as I made yesterday but also some more good reads.”

Stapleton asked Galfond what he thought it would take to lessen the mistakes and generally play better, to which Galfond responded that it’s likely going to take a little bit more time as he continues to work the rust off after not playing high-stakes online poker in extended sessions for quite some time.

Now, let’s get to a few of the hands that were played on Saturday.

At one point in the final 30 minutes of the match, there was a series of bigger pots that were played that showcased how much the chips were flying. Not all of the hands went to showdown, the money trading sides was on the larger side. Here’s a look at three hands that took place in quick succession.

To start the first, Galfond was on the button and raised to €600. ‘VeniVidi1993’ reraised to €1,800 and Galfond called. The flop was and ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €1,835.49. Galfond called and the turn was the to pair the board. On the turn, ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked and Galfond fired a pot-sized bet of €7,269.98. ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised to €29,079.92 and Galfond folded.

On the next hand at the same table, ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised to €600 on the button and Galfond called to take the flop. Both players checked to see the come on the turn. Galfond led the turn for €1,199 and ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised to €4,796. Galfond called and the river was the . Galfond checked and ‘VeniVidi1993’ wagered €5,503.41. Galfond called with the for a straight, beating the of ‘VeniVidi1993.’

At the other table, ‘VeniVidi1993’ had raised to €600 and Galfond reraised to €1,800. ‘VeniVidi1993’ called and the flop came down. ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €1,835.49 after Galfond checked, and Galfond called. The turn was the and Galfond checked. ‘VeniVidi1993’ fired €7,269.98 and Galfond called to create a €21,809.94 pot. The river was the and Galfond check-folded to a pot-sized bet of €21,809.94.

Another big pot that took place during Saturday’s session was the following €55,983.66 pot. Even though he lost on the session, this pot went Galfond’s way.

Galfond had opened the action with a raise to €600 on the button. ‘VeniVidi1993’ reraised to €1,800 and Galfond called. The flop came down and ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €1,835.49. Galfond called and the landed on the turn. ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet the full pot for €7,269.98 and Galfond raised to €29,079.92. ‘VeniVidi1993’ called all in for €24,356.84 with the . Galfond had the . The river was the to give Galfond the pot.

Galfond also lost the following pot worth €32,391 when he tried to bluff ‘VeniVidi1993’ with a pot-sized bet on the river but ‘VeniVidi1993’ made the call with a set of jacks.

Galfond started the hand with a raise to €600, then ‘VeniVidi1993’ reraised to €1,800. Galfond called and the flop was . Both players checked and the turn was the . ‘VeniVidi1993’ again checked on the turn and Galfond fired €3,599. ‘VeniVidi1993’ called to see the complete the board on the river. ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked, Galfond fired €10,797, and ‘VeniVidi1993’ called with the . Galfond had tried to bluff with the  and lost the pot.

Challenge Results To Date

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 Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ just over 10% of the way through the challenge, they’ll take Sunday, January 26, off from playing and resume action on Monday, January 27.

They’re playing at a pace of about 625 hands per day, so there’s plenty more sessions to come between the two. We can likely expect the players to increase the number of tables they’re playing. So far, Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993’ have only played two tables at a time, but they could bump that up to three or four.

At the end of the 25,000 hands, if ‘VeniVidi1993’ is leading, he’ll win the additional €200,000 side bet from Galfond. If Galfond is leading, he’ll win the additional €100,000 side bet from ‘VeniVidi1993.’

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