Phil Galfond Analyzes Key Hands from Durrrr Challenge

In a recent analysis, Phil Galfond dissected several hands from the Durrrr Challenge, a high-stakes poker showdown between Tom Dwan and Daniel Cates. Galfond, known for his deep strategic insights, posted his analysis on his website PokerStatic.com.

Tom Dwan and Daniel Cates played 958 hands in the second round of the Durrrr Challenge, with Daniel Cates emerging as the winner, accumulating a total of $692,400. Galfond noted that both players open frequently from the button and make many 3-bets, with Tom Dwan preferring to bet $3,600 and Daniel Cates adjusting his 3-bet sizes based on the stack sizes.

One of the hands Galfond analyzed involved Tom Dwan making a 3-bet preflop, and Daniel Cates calling. On the flop of 5d 5s 4d, Tom Dwan made a continuation bet of $4,800, slightly more than half the pot. Daniel Cates called, and on the turn Ah, Tom Dwan bet again, this time $11,200. Galfond commented on the unusual nature of Tom Dwan's betting given the board texture and the range of hands Daniel Cates could have. He noted that in modern no-limit games, if a player calls on such a flop, they often have a hand like a pair of fives, A-high, K-high, or various suited connectors. Galfond suggested that Tom Dwan's betting was unusual because it lacked fold equity.