Still facing Bill Perkins, Galfond adds new high-stakes battle against PLO pro ActionFreak
Amid a surge in online poker activity during the coronavirus pandemic, Phil Galfond—widely regarded as one of the best online Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO) players—has upped the ante by launching his third Galfond Challenge while still mid-battle with Bill Perkins.
Although his challenge against Perkins is ongoing, scheduling difficulties have caused the sessions to be infrequent. In the meantime, Galfond has decided to begin a third high-stakes challenge—this time against respected PLO grinder ActionFreak. The two began their head-to-head matchup this past Monday.
Details of the New Challenge
Galfond and ActionFreak agreed to play 15,000 hands at stakes of €150/€300 PLO (approximately $162/$325 USD), with a €150,000 side bet on the line for each player. The format is expected to keep fans entertained with intense, action-packed sessions.
The first day saw a brief 145-hand session due to technical connection issues. Galfond initially surged ahead, winning close to €200,000 ($216,915), but ActionFreak mounted a comeback, finishing the day slightly ahead by about €7,500 ($8,134).
The second session ran smoothly and delivered high drama. Galfond took an early lead, including a massive €76,000 pot win. He continued to dominate, pushing ahead by €202,000, but ActionFreak again showed resilience. By the end of the session—after around 700 additional hands—he had cut the deficit to €170,000, and ultimately pulled into the lead by €7,529.49 after 1,000 hands.
Playing Two Challenges at Once
Galfond’s decision to run two challenges simultaneously marks a bold and unprecedented move in high-stakes online poker. While the Bill Perkins match moves at a slower pace due to availability, the ActionFreak challenge is expected to progress more consistently, offering fans more regular content.
This third challenge not only demonstrates Galfond’s endurance and commitment to the Galfond Challenge series but also raises the stakes—both literally and figuratively—for what’s shaping up to be another gripping showdown.
