Rio Poker Galfond Challenge
- Rio Poker Galfond Challenge Game
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- Rio Poker Galfond Challenge Results
- Rio Poker Galfond Challenge Games
Starting January 22, 2020, the 'Galfond Challenge' will be front and center of the poker world. Phil Galfond, owner of the online poker site Run It Once Poker, is taking on at least six competitors in a series of high-stakes heads-up challenges that will be streamed for all to watch.
Once a dominant player in the high-stakes poker community, Galfond stepped away from the game professionally to start his own online poker site, Run It Once Poker, with a mission to serve players first. Issuing the Galfond Challenge, Galfond announced that he wanted to get back in the high-stakes poker ring, so he issued a challenge to the poker world in November 2019. The smallest stakes for the Galfond Challenge are $100-$200. Those stakes are not small by any means, but it’s the additional side betting action totaling in the millions of dollars that really has people salivating.
What Is the Galfond Challenge?
The Galfond Challenge is a series of high-stakes, heads-up poker matches. Various challengers will take on Galfond over a set number of hands or period of time. They’ll be playing Pot Limit Omaha and there will be betting action on the side as to who wins each match.
Who Is Challenging Galfond?
Both Galfond and Kornuth are founders of poker schools — Run it Once (RIO) and Chip Leader Coaching (CLC), respectively. Therefore, this is not only a game between two famous American players but also a battle of schools. High-stakes poker professional Phil Galfond has issued a challenge to the poker world with the Galfond Challenge. The founder and owner of Run It Once poker will be taking on at least six opponents.
There are currently six matches lined up, but more may be coming. The six challengers who will be taking on Galfond are Bill Perkins, Brandon Adams, Chance Kornuth, Dan 'Jungleman' Cates, and two online poker players known as 'ActionFreak' and 'VeniVidi1993.' Five of those six will face off against Galfond in heads-up online poker, and Adams will play Galfond in heads-up live poker.
How Can You Bet On the Galfond Challenge?
You can bet on the Galfond Challenge, thanks to PokerShares. PokerShares is offering match prices for the outcomes of the different Galfond Challenge matches, plus daily betting options for which player will come out on top after a specific session.
How Much Is at Stake?
Millions of dollars will be on the line. Not only will each side be playing for the stacks on the felt, but each side has agreed to terms of side betting action. In most cases, Galfond is laying odds to his opponent.
'VeniVidi1993' vs. Galfond
Start: Wednesday, January 22, 2020
Stakes: €100-€200 PLO
Duration: 25,000 hands
Side Action: Galfond's €200,000 to VeniVidi1993's €100,000
The first match of the Galfond Challenge saw Galfond square off against high-stakes online poker player 'VeniVidi1993.' Although not much information is available on 'VeniVidi1993,' we can tell you that he is a respected high-stakes PLO player. Galfond and 'VeniVidi1993' planned to play for 25,000 hands, with Galfond risking €200,000 and 'VeniVidi1993' having €100,000 on the line, in addition to any money won on the table.
The opening match of the Galfond Challenge saw two very different storylines play out. The first is the dominance of 'VeniVidi1993' over the first 15 sessions of play. At the end of those 15 sessions, 'VeniVidi1993' was up more than €900,000 and Galfond decided to suspend the match in an effort to regroup. After more than three weeks off, Galfond returned to continue playing 'VeniVidi1993' on March 4. That's when the second storyline kicked in and Galfond mounted a comeback for the ages.
Galfond went on to erase the €900,000 deficit, but the match came down to the wire. With less than 100 hands to go, 'VeniVidi1993' had Galfond on the ropes, but Galfond fought back in what was an incredibly suspenseful performance. Eventually, Galfond won a final pot that sealed his victory.
Day 1 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Grabs €72,527 Lead
Day 2 Recap: Galfond Books Small Win
Day 3 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Wins €84,437
Day 4 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Scores €17,544 Win
Day 5 Recap: Big Day for 'VeniVidi1993,' Wins €155,063
Day 6 Recap: Galfond Wins Final Pot for Breakeven Day
Day 7 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Wins €52,057
Day 8 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Now Up €439,817
Day 9 Recap: Galfond Now Down More Than €450,000
Day 10 Recap: Galfond Loses Another €100,000
Day 11 Recap: Galfond Now Down Nearly €570,000
Day 12 Recap: Galfond Wins Back €87,940
Day 13 Recap: Galfond Suffers €267,949 Loss
Day 14 Recap: Phil Galfond Down €797,646 Overall
Day 15 Recap: €102,593 Loss Leaves Galfond Down €900,000
Day 16 Recap: €183,481 Win for Galfond in Return
Day 17 Recap: ‘VeniVidi1993’ Picks Up €21,571 Win
Day 18 Recap: Friday Brings €27,198 Win for Galfond
Day 19 Recap: Galfond Picks Up €26,018 Win On Saturday
Rio Poker Galfond Challenge Game
Day 20 Recap: €92,803 Win for Phil Galfond
Day 21 Recap: Tuesday Brings a Small Win for Galfond
Day 22 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Battles Back with €88,465 Win
Day 23 Recap: Galfond Books €23,821 Win
Day 24 Recap: Galfond Picks Up Another €19,099
Day 25 Recap: Galfond Wins €139,485 On Saturday
Day 26 Recap: €110,752 Thursday Win for Galfond
Day 27 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Scores €76,026 Victory
Day 28 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Rage Quits, Galfond Wins €140K
Day 29 Recap: Galfond Wins €85,271, Now Down €233,624
Day 30 Recap: €26,992 Win for ‘VeniVidi1993’
Day 31 Recap: Galfond Scores €106,328 Win
Day 32 Recap: Galfond Enjoys First Overall Lead
Rio Poker Galfond Challenge Solitaire
Day 33 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Wins €28,538 On Friday
Rio Poker Galfond Challenge Results
Day 34 Recap: €28,722 Win for Galfond On Saturday
Day 35 Recap: €121,486 Win Gives Galfond Overall Lead
Day 36 Recap: Galfond Loses Tuesday, Maintains Overall Lead
Day 37 Recap: 'VeniVidi1993' Retakes the Lead
Rio Poker Galfond Challenge Games
Day 38 Recap: Galfond Trails By €8,171 with One Session Left
Day 39 Recap: Phil Galfond Completes Incredible Comeback To Win Galfond Challenge