Phil Galfond Challenge vs. 'VeniVidi1993'
The first match of the Galfond Challenge sees Phil Galfond take on 'VeniVidi1993' in 25,000 hands of €100-€200 PLO

Thursday brought another day of the ‘Galfond Challenge‘ between Phil Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993.’ The two played 823 of €100-€200 PLO on Run It Once Poker, with the result being another winning day for ‘VeniVidi1993,’ as he finished up €52,057.13 on the session. With Thursday’s win, ‘VeniVidi1993’ is now up €379,073.77 through 4,760 hands of the 25,000-hand match.

It was Day 7 between these two and it was a swingy one. Galfond started the day down but then fought back to get in the green. Things swung the other way, though, and Galfond got down as much as €105,000 or so. He battled back to only be down about €50,000, but then his deficit started to increase again and was approaching six figures. Galfond rallied a little bit at the end to only close Thursday’s play down €52,057.13.

The first all-in pot of the game came in the form of a €49,191 pot when all the money went in on the turn.

With the KsJd4s flop in the middle, Galfond checked and ‘VeniVidi1993’ fired €803.33 into a pot of €1,199. Galfond called to see the 6d come on the turn. Galfond checked, ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €2,805.66, and Galfond raised to €11,222.64. Galfond had €11,970.03 behind and ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised to put him all in. Galfond called and the cards were turned up.

Galfond showed the Qd9s6s4d and ‘VeniVidi1993’ had the KcJs9c8s. The river was the 2d to give Galfond a diamond flush and the €49,191 pot.

About 100 hands or so later, the two played another all-in pot. This time, the money went in on the flop for a €43,219.98 hand.

On the Td7h5d flop, Galfond checked, ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €803.33 into €1,199, and Galfond raised to €2,206.16. ‘VeniVidi1993’ made it €7,817.48, Galfond went all in for €21,010.49, and ‘VeniVidi1993’ called.

‘VeniVidi1993’ had the 9h8d7d6h and was up against the TsTh3s2s for Galfond. The turn was the 8h and the river the 3h to give ‘VeniVidi1993’ a heart flush and the €43,219.98 pot.

About halfway through Thursday’s play, the following two hands played out side by side. The pot on the left was an all-in pot worth more than €40,000, and the one on the right was a pot of more than €16,000 that Galfond won with a bet on the river.

On the left table, the flop was Jc5h4h with a pot of €3,599 in the middle. ‘VeniVidi1993’ bet €1,835.49 and Galfond raised to €5,200. ‘VeniVidi1993’ called and the turn was the Tc. This is when all of the money went in. ‘VeniVidi1993’ led with a pot-sized bet of €13,999 and Galfond called all in for his remaining €13,100.

‘VeniVidi1993’ showed the AdAs9h4d and Galfond had the KdKc6hXx. Although ‘VeniVidi1993’ was ahead with his pair of aces, Galfond had a lot of outs with four cards to a straight flush. The river was the Td, though, and the €40,199 pot went over to ‘VeniVidi1993.’

On the other table, there was a pot of €16,833.96 in the middle on a final board of Th6d3sQc. Galfond was first and fired €8,416.98. ‘VeniVidi1993’ folded, giving Galfond the pot.

The next hand came towards the end of the match, when it seemed like a flurry of big pots went down. This one was an all-in pot on the turn worth just under €40,000.

On the turn of a board reading 9s5d4cJc, ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked and Galfond bet €4,662.77 into a pot of €6,944.16. ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised all in for €16,502.42 and Galfond called holding the JsTs9d5c. ‘VeniVidi1993’ had the 9h8h6s5h. The river was the Tc and Galfond scooped the €39,999 pot.

Shortly thereafter, the following pot of more than €42,000 played out. This one went to ‘VeniVidi1993.’

There was €5,398.50 in the middle on a board of AcAh4h3s. ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked, Galfond bet €3,599, and ‘VeniVidi1993’ called. The river was the 8s and ‘VeniVidi1993’ checked. Galfond bet €12,596.50 with just €2,203.50 behind. ‘VeniVidi1993’ raised to put Galfond all in and Galfond called.

Galfond showed the AsKsTc4c for a full house, aces over fours. ‘VeniVidi1993’ had rivered a higher full house with the AdTs9c8d for aces full of eights. This gave ‘VeniVidi1993’ the €42,196.50 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
Total 4,760 VeniVidi1993 €379,073.77

At the €100-€200 limits they’re playing, the two sides have been buying in for €20,000. Being down nearly €380,000, Galfond is down just about 19 buy-ins. Those figures can seem staggering, and many have commented on various platforms about their worry for Galfond, but according to a post on Twitter on Thursday night, he says no one should be worried about him.

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?

The 823 hands played on Thursday were the most in a single session for Galfond and ‘VeniVidi1993,’ and they’re now 19% of the way to completing this challenge. They’ll resume play on Friday, January 31, at 11 a.m. ET for the eighth day of action and once again Galfond will be looking to dig himself out of the hole by putting together what would be just his second winning session against ‘VeniVidi1993.’

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