Gossip Column: Galfond Challenge With Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates Hits Scheduling Snag

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  • RUPAM THAKUR February 14, 2023
  • 3 Minutes Read

The poker world is buzzing with anticipation and intrigue as the Galfond Challenge between Phil Galfond and his fifth challenger Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates has been put on hold. The initial plan was for them to play a few sessions in the first couple of weeks before taking a break, but scheduling conflicts have caused the delay to last longer than expected. Close sources are quiet about the delay, but whispers suggest underlying tension between the two players.

As it stands, the high-stakes Pot-Limit Omaha heads-up competition has played out 2,250 of the 7,500 hands on WSOP.com, with the two-time WSOP Poker Players Championship winner, Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates, ahead for $77,500. This is certainly not the start that the Run It Once Poker founder Phil Galfond would have envisioned, as he is yet to lose a Galfond Challenge.

In the meantime, Galfond has already started pitching to other prospective challengers.

 

He first defeated online poker pro ‘Venividi1993’ in 2020 after rallying from nearly a $1 million deficit over 25,000 hands. He then dominated another online pro, Ioannis’ ActionFreak’ Kontonatsios, mostly from start to finish in a 15,000-hand challenge. Next up was bracelet winner Chance Kornuth, who bought out after 7,500 hands facing a massive deficit. Between those matches, he’s also competed in a few mini-challenges against Bill Perkins, Brandon Adams, ‘AmSoGood’ and Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates.

However, Cates has proven to be a formidable opponent, booking impressive wins of $50,000 and $35,000 on the second and third days of the competition, respectively. Galfond managed to secure a modest win of around $10,000 on the first day of the challenge on WSOP.com, but it was not enough to make up for his losses that were to follow. The two had agreed to play 7,500 hands before determining a winner, but no one knows when that will happen.

Fans can watch the match replay on Galfond’s YouTube channel.

 

 

 

 

Adding to the intrigue, rumors are circulating that the delay in the challenge may have to do with financial issues on both sides. Some sources suggest that both players are facing financial troubles, with some even pointing out that they may have run out of money entirely. Others speculate that the delay may be due to personal issues between the two players.

Whatever the reason for the delay, poker fans are eagerly waiting for the two players to return to the virtual felt and resume the competition.

Will Galfond be able to come back and secure a victory, or will Jungleman continue his impressive run and emerge victorious? Only time will tell, and the suspense is palpable.

Stay tuned for updates on the Galfond Challenge on PokerGuru and see if Galfond will have to face a new opponent.

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