‘durrrr Challenge’ Update: Antonius Up by Nearly a Half Million
It took less than an hour of play for the “durrrr Challenge” to take its biggest turn to date. Patrik Antonius booked a $328,406 win over Tom “durrrr” Dwan to take the lead in the $200/400 heads-up pot-limit Omaha match, by a $488,133 margin. Over the course of 59 minutes and 290 hands, Antonius positively annihilated Dwan, booking a substantial profit on each of the four tables they played while Dwan was forced to rebuy several times. In the grand scheme of things, a ten buy-in loss is a pretty normal occurrence in PLO cash games, but in terms of this challenge, the current status is far the largest lead held by either player.
Antonius claimed two six-figure pots right off the bat and momentum remained on his side for the rest of the session, leaving Dwan to play catch-up. In one of those early confrontations, Dwan opened for his standard $1,200 on the button, Antonius raised to $3,600, Dwan came back with a four-bet to $10,800 and Antonius called. Antonius led out for $21,600 on the Q♠9♥4♥ flop, Dwan flat-calling the bet. The turn brought a blank, the 6♦, and Antonius moved all in for the $51,199 he had behind. Dwan’s time bank ticked down as he thought out his decision and he ultimately called off the $44,000 remaining in his stack, revealing A♦J♦10♥4♣ for a pair of fours and an open-ended straight draw. Antonius, however had the lead with A♣Q♣J♠9♦ for two pair, which improved to aces up when the A♥ hit the river. Antonius’ aces and queens beat Dwan’s aces and fours, earning him the $152,800 pot.
Not too long after that hand, another $150,000 pot developed, Antonius leading off the action with a raise to $1,200. Dwan three-bet to $3,600 and Antonius raised the price again, making it $6,000 to go. Dwan called, and the two saw a flop of J♥8♠2♥. Dwan bet $8,600 and Antonius called. The turn brought the 5♣ and Dwan fired again, putting out $29,200, only to have Antonius move all in for $60,875. Dwan called, showing Q♣Q♥9♦8♦ for the overpair while Antonius had turned two pair with A♠10♠8♥5♥. No help for Dwan on the K♦ river and just like that, Antonius dragged in another $150,949.
Dwan got a little of that money back by winning the session’s largest pot, an aces-vs.-kings confrontation which unfolded only about ten minutes after that “pwnage.” Antonius opened for $1,200 holding K♠K♣Q♠J♥ and Dwan three-bet to $3,600 with A♣A♠5♣5♥. Antonius reraised to $6,000 and Dwan came back over the top, making it $18,000 to play. Antonius called the $12,000 balance and they saw a flop of Q♣6♠6♦. Dwan bet $14,200 into the $36,000 pot and Antonius smooth-called. The turn was the 10♠, putting two spades on the board and giving Antonius a flush redraw. Inevitably, the money was going in, Dwan betting the $54,898 he had behind and Antonius making the call. Luckily for Dwan, the river blanked out with the 4♥ and his aces held up, good for the $174,197 pot.
In another pivotal hand, Antonius found the fortitude to call Dwan’s all-in on the river, despite a scary final card that filled in several potential draws. Antonius opened for $1,200, Dwan raised to $3,600, Antonius four-bet to $6,000 and Dwan called. Dwan liked the looks of the K♦4♣3♣ flop and led out for $7,600, Antonius coming along with a call. The turn fell the A♦. Dwan slowed down and checked, Antonius bet $27,200 and Dwan called. The river was the 6♣, putting three clubs and a potential straight on board and Dwan responded with an all-in for the $39,775 he had behind. Antonius looked him up and showed A♣A♥10♥6♦ for top set, besting Dwan’s Q♦8♠6♥5♦ for nothing but a pair of sixes.
At this point, Dwan had disconnected from the internet several times, his connection clearly on the fritz. He decided to quit and Antonius obliged, declaring that he was a bit sleepy anyhow.
Durrrr: cant play on this intent apparently
Patrik Antonius: ok
Patrik Antonius: im very tired anyways
13,246 hands are now in the books in this 50,000-hand challenge. Will Antonius be able to maintain his lead? Keep it here on PokerNews for continuing updates on this epic battle.
Editor's Note: Nicole Gordon's continuing reports on the "durrrr Challenge" highlight PokerNews.com's coverage of the latest in online poker. To railbird the "durrrr Challenge" yourself, open up an account at Full Tilt poker today.
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