Phil Hellmuth made a statement on March 2, taking down Phil Galfond in both heads-up matches during their high-stakes cash game showdown on BetRivers Poker. The $25/$50 freezeout format gave no room for second chances, and Hellmuth took full advantage, executing a clean sweep over the PLO specialist in front of a live-stream audience.
A Battle of Poker Titans
This wasn’t just any poker matchup. It was a meeting of two legends, each with their own decorated history in the game. Hellmuth, the all-time WSOP bracelet leader, is no stranger to heads-up duels, with an impressive record in PokerGO’s High Stakes Duel, where he’s bested some of the biggest names in the game. Galfond, on the other hand, is one of the greatest PLO players ever, famous for his high-stakes battles and his epic comeback in the Galfond Challenge.
Before the first hand was even dealt, there was some debate over the format. Galfond, despite being an elite PLO player, persuaded Hellmuth to stick to No-Limit Hold’em, arguing it would be a more engaging format for viewers. Hellmuth was open to both options but agreed, setting the stage for a classic heads-up Hold’em battle.
The First Match: Hellmuth Strikes First
For the first hour, the action was fairly balanced. Both players exchanged pots, feeling each other out in a patient, strategic battle. Then, a massive cooler shifted the momentum firmly in Hellmuth’s favor.
Galfond had a slight lead when he picked up K♥ 2♥ and raised from the button to $125. Hellmuth, holding K♣ 8♥, three-bet to $375 from the big blind, and Galfond called.
The flop brought K♦ Q♣ 8♣, giving Hellmuth two pair against Galfond’s top pair. A bet and a call led to the 2♠ turn, improving Galfond to a weaker two pair. Sensing an opportunity, he bet just over $582 after Hellmuth checked, only to be met with an all-in check-raise from Hellmuth for nearly $3,900. Galfond called, only to see the bad news—the river changed nothing, and the massive pot went to Hellmuth.
That left Galfond with less than ten big blinds. He clawed back with a few double-ups, but Hellmuth kept the pressure on. In the final hand, Galfond moved all-in with 4♠ 3♠, only to see Hellmuth snap him off with A♦ J♠. The board blanked, and Hellmuth secured the first win.
Second Match: More of the Same
With one win in the bag, Hellmuth entered the second match riding high on confidence. This time, he took control early and never let Galfond find his footing.
• Early aggression paid off, with Hellmuth winning several small pots to build an early lead.
• Galfond struggled to gain momentum, unable to string together enough winning hands.
• A brutal cooler sealed the deal, as Galfond once again ran into Hellmuth’s stronger holdings.
The final hand of the night saw Hellmuth’s Q♠ Q♣ stand strong against Galfond’s A♠ J♦, ending the match and completing the sweep.
What This Means for Both Players
Hellmuth’s win only adds to his legacy as one of the best heads-up Hold’em players around. While he may not be known for online play, his results in live-streamed heads-up matches continue to impress.
For Galfond, the loss stings, but it’s unlikely to impact his standing as one of the best PLO minds in the game. After all, this wasn’t his preferred format. If anything, fans might be left wondering—what if this had been a PLO match instead?
Regardless, poker fans got a show, and Hellmuth walked away with another heads-up victory to his name.
