Phil Galfond may be a poker legend, but even legends can be tested — and ActionFreak is proving to be exactly that kind of test.
After a strong start in their heads-up Pot-Limit Omaha battle, Galfond surged to a commanding $434,664 lead over the first two weeks and 5,700+ hands of the scheduled 15,000. But all that momentum took a serious hit during Day 9 of the challenge, when ActionFreak roared back with a massive $278,232 win in a single session, slashing Galfond’s lead down to just $195,598.
A Session Full of Swings
The two high-stakes crushers played 721 hands on Day 9, with both experiencing heavy swings — a familiar theme in the Galfond Challenge. Galfond kicked off the session strong, banking a $74,979 pot with rivered quads. But ActionFreak responded fast and ferociously, scooping $76,066 after landing Aces in a five-bet pot against Galfond’s straight draw.
Even a $104,319 pot win later in the session couldn’t save Galfond from the onslaught that followed. ActionFreak went on a tear, stacking up several sizable pots in a row, ultimately locking in his biggest win of the challenge so far.
No More Side Bet Odds
Given ActionFreak’s proven capabilities and the volatility of PLO, it’s no surprise that Galfond refused to offer additional side bet odds to his opponent. The two agreed to a $162,999 side bet, which will be claimed by the winner once the 15,000-hand mark is reached.
The Battle Is Far from Over
Despite ActionFreak’s massive win, the challenge is still not halfway through, and both players have shown an ability to turn the tide in any session. As the action continues, fans can expect more big pots, bold bluffs, and momentum swings worthy of a high-stakes duel between two elite players.
