After a dramatic $1M downswing, Galfond now leads the high-stakes PLO match against ‘Venividi1993’
In what has become one of the most thrilling heads-up showdowns in recent online poker history, Phil Galfond has completed a stunning comeback in his much-publicized Galfond Challenge against formidable opponent Venividi1993.
The challenge—consisting of 25,000 hands of €100/€200 Pot-Limit Omaha (PLO)—didn’t start in Galfond’s favor. In the early stages, he found himself in a crushing downswing, losing nearly $1 million in just over 5,000 hands. The rough stretch forced Galfond to take a mental health break, casting doubt on whether he would continue.
But the poker pro and Run It Once founder returned to the virtual tables with renewed focus and resilience. Over the course of the last several sessions, he has erased the massive deficit, inching his way back into the lead with just under 3,000 hands remaining.
In one of the most dramatic sessions to date, Galfond surged ahead by $163,607, only to have Venividi claw his way back. Still, Galfond managed to close the session with a $110,000 win, marking his sixth win in the last eleven sessions.
“It’s exciting to be up for the first time,” Galfond commented after taking the lead. “But, no celebrating.”
While Galfond now holds a narrow lead—roughly four buy-ins—the battle is far from over. Given the volatility of high-stakes PLO, where six-figure swings have become the norm, the final outcome remains uncertain.
With just a few sessions left to play, the poker world is watching closely as this epic comeback story nears its conclusion.
