The Durrrr Challenge Continues
Posted by Mal | February 4, 2010 | Posted in: Articles | Comments (0)When Tom “Durrrr” Dwan offered a three to one challenge for $500,000 to any player that dared face him in a four table 50,000 hand PLO and Texas Hold’em poker online match, the world could not believe the audacity of this young poker professional. Indeed even I questioned whether he was simply an adrenalin junkie destined to go broke and his challenge was more about fulfilling a gambling need rather than driving home an actual advantage in this setting.
Unfortunately for fans of the challenge it has taken nearly a year to reach this point where currently 31,912 of the 50,000 hands have taken place. Earlier in the challenge it seemed that Durrrr was going to be made to pay handsomely for his bravery as Antonius took a large lead apparently adapting to the four tabling that Durrrr professes to be the best in the world at and looked to be in full control. Recent sessions after a long break, where Durrrr was battered by Isildur1 and the high stakes action was at an all-time high, they finally found time to play some more sessions of this intriguing challenge that had found itself somewhat on the backburner of high stakes poker interest.
Hearing that the Durrrr challenge had re-started for two quick fire sessions was like hearing a player had come out of retirement. It was a surprise. Durrrr has increased his lead to $1,077,932.50 winning 17,041 hands to Antonius’ 14,753. With only 18,088 hands remaining in the challenge we are reaching a point where Antonius must start gambling to turn around this deficit to win the $1.5 million Durrrr must pay him if he finishes even $1 dollar ahead of him after the allotted 50,000 hands have been played. It should get exciting from here on in. There has now been a total of 4 days and five hours of poker played in this challenge and exactly $260,476,997.50 wagered. That Durrrr is only $1 million ahead of Antonius shows the skill in this format that both players have.
The biggest hand of the last session was won by Patrik Antonius scooping a pot worth $189,993.50 when he hit a queen hit straight with an 8 falling on the turn. Durrrr continued to be the aggressor eventually getting all-in with only a pair of nines. Durrrr was always dominated in this hand with Antonius holding the Queen that would have had Durrrr beaten even if he had not made his straight on the turn. The hyper aggressive style that Durrrr employs did not reap dividends for him on this occasion.
Much has changed since Dwan issued this challenge. His profile is much more established publicly and he is now a Team Full Tilt Pro, possibly even with a share of Full Tilt ownership. He has successfully issued a live challenge that was broadcast on British TV and has cemented his position as one of the three best cash game players in the world alongside Phil Ivey and Patrik Antonius. Apart from Phil Ivey I struggle to see who would accept a challenge against Durrrr over 50,000 hands believing they hold an advantage. Even the $5 million pounding he took from Isildur1 did not slow him down and he has clawed a good proportion of that back since those losses.
We may have to enjoy this challenge while it lasts as it may be the last of its kind from Durrrr for some time, especially as Isildur1 has been seen again at lower limits and may be preparing himself for another shot at the nosebleed games.
By Malcolm Clarke
