10 Huge Pots From Phil Galfond Vs. 'ActionFreak'
Table Of Contents
Two matches down, and two victories in the books for [B]Phil Galfond in the ongoing Galfond Challenge, his eponymous series of high-stakes heads-up matches.
While the match against Ioannis "ActionFreak" Kontonatsios didn't quite bring the drama of the "Venividi1993" one that Galfond won in a squeaker, it did bring plenty of big pots. Bigger, in fact, than had been seen in the first match since the stakes were €150/€300 rather than "merely" €100/€200.
Once again, PokerNews decided to go back through the coverage of the 15,000-hand match and pick out the biggest pots the two nosebleed grinders played on Run It Once Poker and partypoker.
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Day 5: €122K Pot
One of ActionFreak's biggest wins could have been far bigger if not for an unfortunate river that cost him the biggest pot of the entire challenge.
They were two buy-ins deep when Galfond three-bet preflop and called a four-bet to €8,100 from his Greek opponent. The flop came 4♦K♥7♠ and ActionFreak bet €10,691. Galfond check-called the wager, bringing a Q♠. Galfond liked the card enough to come out potting for €37,581. He had just €4,642 back and ActionFreak set him in for that amount. Galfond called and was in rough shape.
Galfond: K♠10♠9♦6♦
ActionFreak: A♠J♠K♦8♦
ActionFreak had the superior hand in every way — better spades, better straight draw, better kicker for his king. Unfortunately for him, the 6♣ brought deliverance for Galfond and sent the €122K pot his way.
Day 5: €115K Pot
Galfond three-bet preflop to €2,700 then checked the 10♥6♣8♠ flop. ActionFreak bet €2,699 and Galfond raised to €8,098. ActionFreak called for a 5♦ turn. Galfond went with a small sizing of €7,126. ActionFreak responded by potting to €42,976. Galfond had a tough decision but tank-shoved for €47,173 and ActionFreak called.
Galfond had J♦10♦10♠7♥ for top set with a straight blocker, but ActionFreak nonetheless held the nuts with 9♠7♠5♠4♦. The Q♣ river didn't improve Galfond, so a pot of €115,942 went to ActionFreak.
Day 8: €113K Pot
ActionFreak was the three-bettor to €2,700 in this hand, with Galfond calling to see a 9♥7♠3♦ flop. ActionFreak opted to check and call €3,671. Galfond continued betting with a pot-sized wager of €12,741 on the 2♦ turn.
ActionFreak shoved for €50,322, and Galfond took a long time in the tank before calling with J♦8♣6♣5♥ for a wrap. ActionFreak was in great shape with Q♦Q♣9♣7♦ for top two with a flush draw, but once again a six on the river — the 6♥ this time — saved Galfond the massive pot.
Day 14: €109K Pot
ActionFreak three-bet preflop and continued with a half-pot sizing of about €2,700 on 6♣9♣A♠. Galfond called and a 10♦ arrived. ActionFreak continued his aggression by potting for €10,798. Galfond stayed sticky, bringing a J♠ river. ActionFreak potted again for €32,394.
Galfond had €44,987 and shoved. With €109K in the pot and only about €12K to call, ActionFreak nonetheless clicked fold, so Galfond won the huge pot without needing to show his hand down.
Day 19: €104K Pot
ActionFreak three-bet preflop and Galfond called €2,700. On the 10♥J♠6♦ flop, ActionFreak continued for half pot, €2,699. Galfond called and ActionFreak slowed down with a check on the 6♠ turn. Galfond potted for €10,798 and ActionFreak called. The river was the 4♠ and Galfond potted for €32,394.
This time, it was ActionFreak shoving for €39,446 and giving his opponent a sick price on a call. Once again, the bait went unheeded as Galfond found the fold button and conceded a six-figure pot similar to the one he dragged on Day 14.
Day 11: €103K Pot
ActionFreak raised and Galfond three-bet to €2,700. ActionFreak called and a fairly dry 10♥7♦3♣ flop hit the board. Galfond bet €1,781 and ActionFreak called, bringing a 2♠ turn. Galfond checked, ActionFreak potted for €8,962 and Galfond potted for €35,849. ActionFreak piled in his €47,061.
ActionFreak: 10♦8♣4♣7♠
Galfond: J♣7♣9♦8♦
Galfond had a pair and a wrap but needed help against top two. The 3♠ river was a brick for him, and ActionFreak collected one of two six-figure pots that day.
Day 11: €102K Pot
In the other, Galfond was the three-bettor for €2,700 and ActionFreak called to bring a 3♥J♦7♠ flop. Galfond bet €1,781 and ActionFreak raised to €6,262. Galfond potted it right back at him and ActionFreak stuck in his €48,552.
Galfond had flopped big with J♠10♣9♦7♣, top two and a gutter, but he trailed 6♠5♥3♣3♦ for bottom set. The K♣ turn gave Galfond two straight draws but the A♥ river kept ActionFreak's set a winner.
Day 6: €102K Pot
ActionFreak put in a three-bet to €2,700 and then bet €2,699 on J♣Q♠4♥. Galfond raised small to €6,262 and ActionFreak called, bringing a K♣. Galfond bet €12,188 and ActionFreak called, leading to a 7♦ river. ActionFreak checked and Galfond shoved for €29,967.
ActionFreak tanked briefly before calling with J♦J♥10♥9♣ for a straight to the king. Galfond just had 10♠10♣6♦5♠ for blockers.
Day 3: €99K Pot
ActionFreak raised and called a three-bet to €2,700 from Galfond, who continued for €2,699 on 10♣K♦8♥. ActionFreak potted to €13,497, Galfond potted back to €45,891 and ActionFreak stuffed it for €961 more.
Galfond: A♠J♠Q♥J♦
ActionFreak: K♠10♥8♣2♥
ActionFreak had flopped top two but was fading a piled of cards. An A♦ turn completed Galfond's straight and ActionFreak didn't fill up on the 3♣ river.
Day 5: €97K Pot
There seemed to be something in the water on Day 5 as three of the 10 largest pots went down that day.
The smallest of the three but the first chronologically began with Galfond raising and calling a three-bet to €2,700. ActionFreak slowed down with a check on 6♠7♠5♥. Galfond bet €2,699 and ActionFreak called. Galfond potted the 3♥ for €10,798, and ActionFreak continued to the 10♣ river. Galfond potted again for €32,394 and ActionFreak called a final time.
Galfond could only show down K♥9♥J♣2♣ for total air and a straight blocker. ActionFreak had A♥8♥7♣4♣ for an eight-high straight to secure the pot.
