Phil Galfond biography
Phil Galfond was born on January 16, 1985, and grew up in North Potomac, Maryland. He became one of the best online players of the poker boom under the screen names "OMGClayAiken" on Full Tilt Poker and "MrSweets28" on PokerStars, with more than $10 million in online winnings. He was one of the first players to popularize thinking about opponents' hand ranges rather than single hands.
Galfond won his first World Series of Poker bracelet in 2008 in the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha with rebuys for $817,781, and added bracelets in the $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship in 2015 and the $10,000 PLO Hi-Lo Championship in 2018. He also appeared on several seasons of High Stakes Poker. After Black Friday in 2011 he moved from New York to Vancouver so he could keep playing online.
In 2012 he founded the Run It Once training site and later the Run It Once poker room, which was acquired by Rush Street Interactive in 2022. In the Galfond Challenge heads-up PLO matches he came back from more than EUR 900,000 down to beat VeniVidi1993 and then beat ActionFreak. He is married to actress Farah Fath.
Career summary
A three-time WSOP bracelet winner and one of the greatest online PLO players, Phil Galfond founded Run It Once and is one of poker's most respected teachers.
Phil Galfond poker winnings
| Year | Event | Place | Prize |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | WSOP $10,000 PLO Hi-Lo 8 or Better Championship | 1st | $567,788 |
| 2015 | WSOP $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Single Draw Championship | 1st | $224,383 |
| 2008 | WSOP $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha w/ Rebuys | 1st | $817,781 |
Verified live tournament earnings: $3,000,000+, plus 3 WSOP bracelets.
2020 - Galfond Challenge vs. VeniVidi1993 (PLO heads-up) - Won - EUR 100,000 side bet
2021 - Galfond Challenge vs. ActionFreak (PLO heads-up) - Won - EUR 114,000 + EUR 150,000 side bet
Phil Galfond playing style
Galfond is a deeply analytical, range-based thinker and one of the best pot-limit Omaha players in the world, especially heads-up.
Cash games
One of the biggest winners in online high-stakes cash game history, especially in pot-limit Omaha; appeared on High Stakes Poker and played the Galfond Challenge heads-up PLO matches.
Business & sponsorships
Founded the Run It Once training site in 2012 and the Run It Once poker site, which was acquired by Rush Street Interactive in 2022.
Why Phil matters
Phil Galfond was one of the best online players of the poker boom and became one of the game's most respected teachers and entrepreneurs.
FAQ about Phil Galfond
What was Phil Galfond's online name?
He played as "OMGClayAiken" on Full Tilt Poker and "MrSweets28" on PokerStars.
What is Run It Once?
A poker training site Galfond founded in 2012, which later added an online poker room that was acquired by Rush Street Interactive in 2022.
How many WSOP bracelets does Phil Galfond have?
Three, won in 2008, 2015 and 2018.
How much has Phil Galfond won playing poker?
Phil Galfond has won $3,000,000+ in live tournament earnings.
