Phil Galfond, arguably the most revered name in online poker, recently opened up about the mindset behind his legendary success during an exclusive interview with the Daily Star’s Aaron Flanagan—all while grinding through his second high-stakes Galfond Challenge.
Known to the online poker world as “MrSweets28”, Galfond has long been admired not just for his technical brilliance but for his cool-headed confidence—something he attributes to a unique outlook he had early in his career.
“I remember when I was 20, 21 and I was playing for huge amounts of money,” he said. “All my friends were broke. I wasn’t that scared to lose it all because if I did, I would just be like all my friends. That is a big advantage when you are playing with no fear.”
This fearless approach helped Galfond thrive in high-pressure moments. He explained that, back in his college days, his idea of a lavish lifestyle was simple: ordering food whenever he wanted.
“Having everything that I wanted in college consisted of just ordering food every night if I wanted to for 20 bucks. That was the lavish life that it provided me!”
The Shift That Comes With Age
Galfond admits that his mindset shifted as he got older, gaining a deeper appreciation for financial security—but not without consequences.
“When you experience a downswing, you realize that it actually massively impacts our financial security right now. I have more of an appreciation for it now… but in reality, it is better that you don’t. You can play better if you don’t [appreciate it too much].”
This internal tension—between playing fearlessly and respecting money—has become part of Galfond’s evolution. Now 35, he balances calculated risk with seasoned perspective, continuing to take on the world’s top players in both online and live formats.
Beyond Online Dominance
While Galfond made his name online, he’s no stranger to the live felt. He’s bested elite opponents across the globe and continues to inspire a new generation of pros through his gameplay and leadership at Run It Once Poker, the platform he founded to promote fair and transparent online poker.
From the dorm room dreams of $20 takeout to playing for millions under the brightest lights, Galfond’s story is a powerful reminder: the best poker players don’t just study ranges—they master their mindset.
