Phil Galfond suspends his heads-up challenge

Even the elite players need to know when to throw in the towel, and that time could be now for Phil Galfond against Venividi1993.

The first Galfond Challenge of 2020 has been nothing short of a horror show for Phil Galfond, losing almost every session he has played and being down over €900,000. 

At first a spirited Galfond responded by sharing some very valuable mental game insights into downswings and how he is handling such a bad start. It has started to become too much, however, and last night he announced he is considering quitting the challenge. He has suspended his matches to get his head back together. 

Unfortunately, my downswing in the first #GalfondChallenge has very much continued.

I’m taking a step back to do some thinking. Here’s an update, along with some more of my thoughts: pic.twitter.com/jIcN4Bc1Jz

— Phil Galfond (@PhilGalfond) February 11, 2020

Considered to have one of the strongest mental games in the business, Galfond admitted tilt was creeping into his play and depression off the tables:

In my last couple of sessions, I could tell that I'd abandoned my gameplan for plays that felt better (emotionally), and I couldn't seem to gather my thoughts coherently, or to make reads like I normally do.

I was playing scared. I was expecting to lose. I simply couldn't get my brain to work properly. The most difficult thing about an extended downswing isn't the loss of money — it's the loss of hope. It's the gap between the result and your expectations, and how it changes your vision of your poker future.

He is now taking a break against Venividi1993, paying a forfeit of €3,000 a day for every agreed session he misses while he regroups. 

I've been seriously considering throwing in the towel on this first challenge, accepting defeat, and taking a break to reset my mind before heading into the next ones. The idea feels awful to me, but so does continuing to play poorly against a really good opponent.

In his sessions against Venividi1993 he has won just two and lost 13. They have played a combined 9,927 hands at €100/200 PLO and Phil has lost €900,240. He also has to pay a side bet of €200,000 if he loses the whole challenge. 

This was the first of a yearlong series of challenges, which will also include Bill Perkins, Brandon Adams, Chance Kornuth and 'ActionFreak'. Daniel Cates has also agreed a challenge but terms have not been set yet.

Should Phil quit this challenge? Let us know in the comments: