Phil Galfond Net Worth: How Much Is Run It Once Founder Worth?

Featured image: courtesy of flipchip (left) and Supl0v Poker (right)

When Phil Galfond mounted his comeback in the Galfond Challenge, falling behind by nearly $1 million before clawing back to victory, he earned both the prize money and massive respect from the poker community.

The Maryland native has built his reputation as one of poker’s most analytical minds, turning a modest $50 investment into a multi-million dollar empire.

From his early days playing under the username “OMGClayAiken” to founding Run It Once, Galfond has become synonymous with high-stakes Pot-Limit Omaha excellence.

His three WSOP bracelets and estimated millions in online winnings tell only part of the story.

Today, we’ll have a closer look at this poker mastermind, his biggest wins, and the estimated Phil Galfond net worth.

Full Name: Phil Galfond
DOB: January 16, 1985
Birthplace: North Potomac, Maryland
Profession: Pro poker player, online entrepreneur, YouTuber, and PLO educator
Wife: Farah Galfond (Fath)
WSOP Bracelets: 3
Live Career Earnings: $3+ Million

Disclaimer: Only Phil knows his actual net worth. We can only estimate based on publicly available sources and the usual stakes he plays.

Who Is Phil Galfond? (Early Life & Background)

Phil was born on January 16, 1985, in North Potomac, where he grew up as the eldest of three siblings.

When he was in high school, he studied at Thomas Sprigg Wootton High School before enrolling at the University of Wisconsin-Madison to study philosophy.

His first job was at Domino’s Pizza during high school, though he quit after just one week, later becoming a tutor instead.

During his college years, he discovered poker after watching the 2003 WSOP on television, initially inspired by Dutch Boyd’s success.

He started with a $50 bankroll, lost it all playing Sit ‘N’ Go tournaments, then reinvested another $50 that would eventually grow into millions. At 21, he made the decision to drop out of university to pursue poker professionally.

Currently, he resides with his spouse Farah Fath, an actress and poker player whom he married on May 15, 2015, and their son Spencer, who was born in December 2018.

Phil Galfond Net Worth 2025

Now…

Let’s talk about the estimated Phil Galfond net worth, keeping in mind that only he himself could provide the exact figure.

However, our analysis and reasonable estimate is based on publicly available sources, like his tournament winnings, private high stakes cash games, and various business ventures.

His estimated net worth ranges between $10-15 million, with some sources suggesting it could be as high as $30 million when including his business ventures.

This estimate is reasonable considering his documented live tournament earnings of over $3 million, his online poker earnings that exceeded $10 million on Full Tilt Poker alone, and the successful sale of Run It Once Poker to Rush Street Interactive for $5.8 million in 2022.

With millions in online poker profits and his ongoing business ventures, Galfond has built a diversified portfolio that extends well beyond the poker table.

His financial success stems from consistently beating high-stakes games, smart business decisions, and his reputation as one of the game’s most respected figures.

The Galfond Challenge

Phil Galfond’s defining moment came during his heads-up battle against VeniVidi1993 in the Galfond Challenge of 2020.

The Galfond Challenge was a unique series of high-stakes heads-up Pot-Limit Omaha matches that Phil Galfond set up to test himself against some of the best players online, streamed live to engage the poker community.

Though there is no definite pot at stake, it’s rumored to reach up to millions of dollars, so that’s why many players wanted to take on the challenge.

So far, there were only six brave souls who expressed their willingness to play against Galfond.

The players are Bill Perkins, Chance Kornuth, Ioannis Kontonatsios, Dan ‘Jungleman’ Cates, Brandon Adams, and Venividi1993. Phil was able to win over Ionnis and Venividi.

The first and most famous match was a grueling 25,000-hand duel played at $115/$230 stakes, with Galfond putting up a $230,000 side bet against his opponent’s $115,000. You can watch the final session of the game below:

During the early stages, the poker star found himself in a nightmare scenario, falling behind by over $1,037,000. The deficit was so overwhelming that he temporarily suspended the match to regroup and study his game.

Many observers wondered if the poker legend could mount a comeback from such a massive hole. However, Galfond returned with renewed focus and began one of the most remarkable comebacks in poker history.

The final sessions saw Galfond methodically chip away at the deficit, eventually taking the lead and securing victory on the 24,927th hand with a rivered full house.

This comeback not only earned him over $1,148,000 in combined winnings and side bets but also reinforced his status as one of the greatest PLO players ever.

The challenge showcased his exceptional skill under pressure and helped promote high-stakes online poker to a global audience, while also boosting his Run It Once brand.

You may wonder why Fernando “Jnandez” Habegger didn’t sign up for this considering he’s also a PLO expert.

In his words, he backed down because he didn’t want to accept the backers’ money without fully committing to their EV in a livestream heads-up nosebleed stakes.

There have been no recent announcements of a formal continuation or new season explicitly branded as the “Galfond Challenge,” but Galfond’s ongoing willingness to challenge top players suggests the spirit of the challenge lives on.

His focus in 2025 has also included coaching, mindset training, and organizing events like the Beyond The Game Summit, alongside occasional high-profile heads-up matches such as those against Phil Hellmuth

Poker Career Highlights

Galfond has established himself as one of the most respected players in high-stakes poker, particularly excelling in Pot-Limit Omaha games that have significantly contributed to his net worth and career trajectory.

His analytical approach and dedication to continuous improvement have made him a formidable opponent at the highest levels.

Here are his most important career milestones:

1. First WSOP bracelet win in 2008 ($5,000 PLO event for $817,781)
2. Three-time WSOP bracelet winner (2008, 2015, 2018).
3. Founder of Run It Once Training and Run It Once Poker.
4. Successfully completed multiple Galfond Challenge victories.

Additionally, Phil Galfond is also known as a smart and fearless bluffer. He famously won a huge pot worth $198,000 against poker legend Doyle Brunson on an episode of High Stakes Poker by executing an effective bluff.

As you can see from the video above from High Stakes Poker on PokerGO, Galfond has had many memorable and intense moments playing against some of the biggest names in poker, including Phil Laak, Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and many others.

These battles have showcased his skill, creativity, and competitive spirit at the highest levels of the game.

Top 5 Tournament Winnings

Galfond built his reputation primarily through high-stakes cash games rather than tournament play, but his live tournament results still showcase his exceptional skill across different poker formats.

As a live player, Galfond has three World Series of Poker bracelets, all in non-hold’em events, and $3 million in overall live tournament cashes.

While he’s the first to admit he’s not a tournament specialist, his biggest scores have come at the most prestigious events.

Here are his top 5 tournament cashes up to date:

2008 World Series of Poker

Galfond’s breakthrough tournament victory came at the 2008 WSOP when he conquered a field of 152 players in the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event.

The tournament featured a star-studded lineup including Phil Hellmuth, Daniel Negreanu, John Juanda, and Johnny Chan, making his victory even more impressive.

He navigated through the field with his characteristic analytical style, using his deep understanding of PLO dynamics to outplay seasoned professionals.

In the heads-up finale, Galfond faced Adam Hourani, an accomplished player in both online and live settings. In te video below, the poker star talks about how he felt winning his first WSOP bracelet.

The match showcased both players’ advanced skills in the complex four-card format, with momentum shifting back and forth. Galfond’s strategic adjustments proved decisive in the final moments.

He secured the victory, earning him $817,781 and his first WSOP bracelet. This win established him as a force in live tournament poker and proved that he was truly skilfull in online cash games to the live arena.

• 1st Place 2018 World Series of Poker – $567,788
• 1st Place 2015 World Series of Poker – $224,383
• 2nd Place 2013 44th Annual WSOP – $744,841
• 4th Place 2015 World Series of Poker – $89,939

Additionally, his most recent tournament appearance was in the 2024 WSOP Online where he finished in 13th place, taking home $19,875.

This cash demonstrates his continued involvement in tournament play, though he remains selective about his live event participation.

The result also shows he can still compete effectively in today’s evolved tournament landscape, even while focusing primarily on his other ventures and coaching activities.

Lifestyle, Sponsorships & Side Ventures

This is how the poker legend lives his life outside of the felt, balancing business ventures with his passion for teaching and personal growth.

Run It Once Coaching

Galfond co-founded Run It Once Training in 2012, partnering with elite high-stakes players like Ben Sulsky, Di Dang, and Hac Dang to create premium poker education content.

Together with other professionals like Garrett Adelstein, Ben Sulsky, Brian Rast, Hac Dang, and many others, they have provided meaningful lessons to those who wish to get better at the game.

The platform quickly became a respected resource for players seeking to improve their games, with Galfond personally producing over 650 training videos.

His teaching philosophy emphasizes clear explanations and foundational concepts that benefit players at all skill levels.

In 2016, he also launched the online poker room Run It Once. The platform officially launched in public beta in 2019, featuring innovative approaches to game integrity and player protection.

However, in March 2022, he sold Run It Once Poker to Rush Street Interactive for $5.8 million in cash and stock, joining RSI to help integrate the brand into regulated U.S. markets.

This partnership provides access to RSI’s customer base and gaming licenses across multiple states, positioning the brand for American expansion.

This is how the poker legend lives his life outside of the felt, balancing business ventures with his passion for teaching and personal growth.

Having been able to gain loads of experience playing both online and live, many aspiring players wished Phil could mentor them. In 2012, it seems like the PLO icon heard the call and established a training site called Run It Once.

However, he still remains as an active coach on Run It Once Training, where he continues to share advanced strategies and help players develop both their technical skills and mental toughness. 

Speaking Ventures

Phil Galfond recently hosted the Beyond The Game 2025 World Series Summit, which took place from May 26 to 28 at the Virgin Hotel Las Vegas.

This immersive three-day event brought together top poker professionals like Brian Rast and Scott Seiver for an intensive pre-WSOP bootcamp focused on mental performance and strategic preparation.

The summit aimed to help players overcome mental barriers and sharpen their mindset, going beyond just charts and ranges to address the psychological challenges that hold many players back.

Following the summit, there was a meet-up game at Resorts World on May 29, offering a chance for attendees to connect and apply what they learned in a live setting.

Galfond’s vision for Beyond The Game grew from small group coaching sessions into a comprehensive program designed to prepare players not only for the WSOP but for long-term success in poker. 

Philosophy & Lifestyle

Galfond regularly shares insights about personal development through his website, covering topics like managing envy, optimizing sleep for performance, and embracing discomfort for growth.

His approach to life mirrors his poker strategy: analytical, thoughtful, and focused on continuous improvement.

He advocates for setting achievable goals using his “floor and ceiling” framework rather than traditional SMART goals, believing this approach maintains motivation while allowing for ambitious targets.

His personal openness about struggles and growth has made him a respected voice in the poker community beyond his playing achievements.

OMGClayAiken: Frequently Asked Questions

Is Phil Galfond married?

Yes, Phil Galfond is married to actress and poker player, Farah Fath. They got married on May 15, 2015, and have a son named Spencer who was born in December 2018.

How many bracelets does Phil Galfond have?

Phil Galfond has won three WSOP bracelets. He won his first in 2008 in the $5,000 Pot-Limit Omaha event, his second in 2015 in the $10,000 No-Limit 2-7 Lowball Draw Championship, and his third in 2018 in the $10,000 Pot-Limit Omaha Hi-Lo Championship.

How did Phil Galfond make his money?

He made most of his money playing poker, both online and in live tournaments. Although he already sold it, he started Run It Once, a poker training site and poker room, which helped boost his earnings.

Is Phil Galfond a good poker player?

He is defiinitely one of the best, especially in Pot-Limit Omaha. He’s won multiple WSOP bracelets and is known for being super smart and tough at the tables.

How rich is Phil Galfond?

Phil’s pretty wealthy thanks to his poker winnings and business ventures. His estimated net worth is between $10-15 million while some sources saying it goes up to $30 million.

He’s built his wealth over the years and is respected as one of poker’s top earners.

Phil Galfond Poker Net Worth (Wrap Up)

Starting with just $50 in college, this Galfond’s journey shows how dedication and smart thinking can lead to lasting success. 

With three WSOP bracelets and millions in winnings, his technical skill is undeniable, but it was his epic comeback in the Galfond Challenge that truly showcased his mental toughness.

But beyond the financial side, he’s widely respected for his commitment to teaching and improving the poker community. His genuine passion for helping others has created a legacy that goes far beyond just his own achievements at the tables.

Now, I’d love to hear from YOU:

• In your opinion, how much is Phil Galfond worth in 2025?
• What’s something new or unexpected you learned about Phil Galfond’s career?

Share your thoughts in the comments!

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