Record-Breaking Pot: What Made Eric Persson Pull the Trigger?

Phil Galfond breaks down a record-breaking televised poker pot - a $1,978,000 No Limit Hold‘em poker hand played by Patrik Antonius and Eric Persson on PokerGO’s No Gamble No Future: Clash of the Titans Live Poker Show.
🌟 Learn with my PLO Training Course: ➡️ galfond.link/This-Is-PLO
🎁 3 Free Training Videos: ➡️ galfond.link/GetFreePokerTrai...
A huge THANK YOU to Eric Persson for sharing his poker strategy thoughts with Phil on this record-breaking televised poker hand.
This was the biggest poker hand played in televised U.S. poker history at the time, there may have been a larger one on a high stakes poker live stream but that's a different ball game!
This is NOT your average high stakes No Limit Hold ‘em live stream poker hand, the Clash of the Titans event from No Gamble No Future had a $100,000 side bet in place with an additional $500,000 to the winningest player!
As Phil explains in this poker hand breakdown, the side bet changes the poker strategy and ranges that each of these high stakes poker players could have as there is a $600,000 upswing for the person who wins the most!
The NGNF: Clash of The Titans high stakes poker event was live streamed on PokerGO and featured Eric Persson, Patrik Antonius, Rob Yong, Andrew Robl, MJ Gonzales, and Markus Gonsalves.
The entire poker audience wins when High Stakes Legends and Elite Poker Pros CLASH on a live poker stream, especially when they break records and Phil Galfond gets to explain the poker strategy!
With a $500,000 initial buy-in and an optional $500,000 add-on, it was no surprise that one of the biggest poker hands in televised poker history happened (at the time, it was the biggest pot in American TV poker history) on this legendary high stakes poker live stream.
To watch full No Gamble, No Future episodes: www.pokergo.com
Are you a new poker player or a poker beginner? Do you just need the best Texas Hold'em poker strategy and best Pot Limit Omaha poker tips, or do you have a high stakes poker related question you’d like a poker professional’s advice on?
Leave a comment and your question might end up in the next one of Phil’s quick poker tips videos!
Remember to Subscribe for more high stakes poker content and turn on notifications so you don't miss any Galfond Challenge livestreams or other poker live streams!
***
Weekly poker insights: www.philgalfond.com/mindset-yt
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🎁 3 Free training videos: galfond.link/Free-Poker-Training
Follow the Players here:
Eric Persson’s Social links: linktr.ee/ericperssonpoker
Eric Persson’s KZbin: / @ericperssonpoker
Patrik Antonius Instagram: / patrik_antonius_official
Patrik Antonius Twitter: / patrik_antonius
Patrik Antonius’ First KZbin Poker Vlog: • $2.100.000 for Patrik ...
Credits:
Producer: Thomas Deming-Henes
Brand Design: Dan Deming-Henes
Creative Specialists: Quentin Cardinal-Juneau, Miikka Anttonen

[@PhilGalfond]

Free 44-page Mindset Strategy Playbook -> philgalfond.com/mindset

[@SmokeRingsPipeDreams]

Great video!

[@indramatic]

Thank you Phil!!!

[@Rude_i_Wredne]

7:24 Damn, facing two Patrick Antoniuses in that big of a pot must be really stressful.

[@PhilGalfond]

😂 oops

[@enochkimphotography]

😂

[@blazeron12]

Biggest pot in history AT THE TIME*. Tom Dwan owning Wesley's soul is the current record I believe.

[@PhilGalfond]

You are correct 🙂

[@LLOYD-tl9vb]

Thanks hero

[@kevincostelloe4006]

Glad to hear ya question the efficacy of these hand analysis as to their educational value. Now I don't feel so bad. The fact is, most of us would have to skip a bunch of foundational steps to really comprehend what your saying.

[@brianriley2488]

Great breakdown. Thankyou. 👍🙏

[@Aoughi]

I can't argue with one of the best poker players on the planet that you are but. Dont you think table dynamics and body language and talks made by persson plays a much bigger role here? I ve seen the whole show and after all I ve seen from Patrick over these years, I think he would have called with an offsuit ace as well on turn. He loves big hands and he has played so many of these hands against fish that he ll play here probably far away from theory but on instincts and tells of persons behavior. Can't that be true a bit as well?

[@twertyto]

Your analysis during these hand reviews is highly educational. It is fascinating to hear the logic of a top tier player in these spots. Please continue to make content like this.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thanks so much! I will!

[@Mark-rw3kw]

There is no evidence that either Patrick or Eric analyzed the hand they way Phil did, so I am not sure what use the analysis is. I personally think that Phil is a better poker player than either of them, but he wasn't playing the hand, so what difference does it make?

[@DelusionalNYC]

@@Mark-rw3kwif this is what you believe, why do you even bother watching a hand analysis video like this? No hate, just curious.

[@Mark-rw3kw]

@@DelusionalNYC I watched to see the hand played by the players, not the analysis by someone else. From what I saw, it was a semi-bluff that went bad for Eric and not all that complicated.

[@MarkoAssi_pokervlogger]

Semi bluff that is obvious. I'm playing lows takes but if he had a clear lead wouldn't he bet smaller to get a call? Bet looked more like a bluff than a value bet.

[@jaybingham3711]

6:32 Watch Persson's right hand when announcing all in. The hitch (along with body movements) gives off an impression of conflict upon making the announcement. Far from a definitive tell. But worth noting.

[@jluchette]

Let’s go, Phil! Been re-watching your PLO challenge with Jungleman. As fun as it is to hear your level-headed, logical commentary contrasted with his ramblings about “falcons… natural predator is owls…” A thorough hand breakdown from Phil is exactly what I needed.

[@PhilGalfond]

Happy to deliver!

[@gorydays28]

Fr such a hilarious juxtaposition in those vids

[@Weedmc420]

I watch alot of poker blogs and streamers, Phil. None of them breaks down hand histories better than you. Like, yours is alot easier to understand and you break it down in really simple terms. You're definitely as good a poker educator than you are a player. Thanks for the videos. Little nuggets of knowledge I've learned through them has helped my poker game. Could you do a hand history of the Dwan/Ivey 98 A6s hand?

[@williamdavis2505]

When you have inside info on players’ thought process it makes these hand history reviews extra interesting.

[@squilliumfancyson5228]

Phil your format is absolutely amazing. You don’t just spit out every word you say. Very well spoken, you explain everything very clear. I really am learning a ton every video I watch of yours. Thank you! Keep up the great work👍

[@brianpotter2812]

You're earned a new subscriber for the hand analysis and the info from Eric on why he made his decision. It's easy for us the viewers to see that the play was bad, but seeing it from his perspective and his read helps us understand and can see the game from other angles than our own. HUGE insight and informational.

[@user-bm4px7xy7g]

I always try to educate when watching videos for sure. Your videos are #1 for education and I'm proving what you need polished and/or having issues with in your game. Thanks a ton & please keep them coming, please don't hesitate when making them. They are fantastic poker videos

[@codycortello]

I subscribed. Love a lot about how you made this video. Your vocal tone is perfect for my tastes - it's neutral, not over-hyped and not droning or dispassionate. I also love your statement at 11:08. On the dot, and exactly what I hope for in these kinds of videos and don't often get. The combination of tone and educational breakdown for the popular hand history analysis is a sweetspot. Wishing you the best on this platform.

[@ericcomp7032]

appreciate PokerGO for allowing Phil to use footage and Jeff's excitement is like butter on popcorn. LFG 🍿

[@Eric-tj3tg]

Easy on the butter, please.

[@gorydays28]

Never too much butter bud

[@Ver5587]

The sun people are coming

[@markstakelbeck8889]

I think you do a really good job of breaking down hands and explaining things throughout the whole hand, and I really enjoyed this video and look forward to watching some more

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you so much! 😃

[@erkesurer4443]

Thank you Phil for the breakdown. And also it's so valuable that you share your conversations with actually the players who played the hand. Cheers

[@PhilGalfond]

My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@skidm0]

The way you break down the hand is the best I've seen on YT. Earned a sub from me!

[@qtamomusic7620]

Interesting hand and nice that you got Perssons perspective as well! Would be interesting to know what Antonius was thinking, though I'm not sure if he would reveal his secrets. I'm guessing Antonius had some read on Perssons flop raising range being very bluff heavy, and Antonius wanted to get max value from Perssons bluffs by 3betting small with AK, which is ahead of all of them. But who knows.

[@hannesrask2607]

Thanks for sharing Phil! Much appreciated!! 🙏🏻

[@markfromct2]

Thanks Phil. Great post and commentary. GL

[@robertod893]

The Jungle content is the best poker content since the Galfond challenge. I would love watching you break down the biggest PLO pots online with players like Berri and Bujtas.

[@3six967]

As someone who's struggling to improve my game, I do watch a lot of different hand histories, from alot of different creators- And I feel like I am learning from videos like this: They are all peeks into various ways this game is thought about. different types of processes used during a hand to arrive at decisions. I appreciate the shared insights for videos like this. For me personally, I need to improve how I structure my thinking as a hand progresses. These seem to help, Ty.

[@gstung]

If you want to improve your game, don't watch any televised high stakes poker game

[@nikolascrisci4233]

I am just going to tell you this is good content for TV ;) I am not really playing poker much, I am sometimes getting into it for a couple of weeks and then I am dropping off again. I like watching it way more and this kind of breakdown is very entertaining because it shows how you think and people can be in awe of the thought process itself. I am not sure if it needs to be educational there are other videos for that. That said idk if it is educational because where I am at right now I wont play games in general like that anymore. Anyway this was very entertaining and if you decide to do more of these I am sure your channel will grow ;)

[@Timrud1]

I enjoy the insight you give on these situations - please do more!

[@PhilGalfond]

Will do. Thank you!

[@NotFadeAway522]

Great job. Your videos are both entertaining and educational.

[@PkerBruno]

Nice content Phil. Always nice to watch your stuff.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you!!

[@qsdailydose8970]

Phil is so humble and a great teacher

[@cronstrubzo]

This is not true. hes arrogant and a student.

[@Butcho22]

Phil's the man! Hand histories are great when there's a hand that's worth of reviewing. (Such as this hand.)

[@KyraStitch]

You’ve always been one of my fav players. Enjoying your channel more & more.

[@PhilGalfond]

Thank you 😊

[@hankghosh3268]

Love this breakdown Phil. Also wanted to say learning from you these past couple years helped me tale my plo game to the next level. Been smashing 25/50 plo and plo5

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing that with me. I'm so glad I've made a difference for you.

[@MattSullivan-xf6oj]

Cool story , but no one cares about your 0.25/0.50 game lol 5 $ buys Ins are a joke

[@midmadden70]

@@MattSullivan-xf6ojthe evidence is right there that he cares incel

[@dlb2421]

sufres en silencio las hemorroides?@@MattSullivan-xf6oj

[@dawsonje]

On that flop re-raise Patrick just knew his customer, it’s that simple. Knew Eric would call. The turn jam confused Patrick for a bit, but he found the right call, and the rest is amazing. Persson is just a maniac with a lot of cash Great video PG!! Thanks

[@wwz1011]

Great hand review. Persson's move now makes a lot of sense. I didn't understand it at the time. Thanks!

[@PzIz]

Sublime content and how pedagogical you are! Looking forward to more content.

[@djwalker6608]

I love these HHs and also love the YT shorts. Keep it up Phil

[@WalkerForJudge]

Thank you for sharing your world class knowledge. It is literally something we couldn't even purchase if you decided not to provide your insight and it is immensely helpful for those of us trying to improve our play and understanding of the game's finer intricacies.

[@drfunkinstein1]

This reminds me of when I play $1/2 and don't really care about the money so I just play any suited cards and bluff any flush draw. I always end up running into a flush over flush by overplaying non-nut flush draws. That was how I viewed this hand, but your analysis adds some more depth to the decision to make the play beyond just being a crazy gambler who is willing to bluff big with any flush draw after playing any suited cards to any raise preflop.

[@kimikmusic]

great video, big thanks!

[@d0zeboy]

Another reason I like the jam by Persson on the turn is that it puts 99-KK, which Antonious could easily have based on his line, in a tough place because an ace high flush draw connects - just so happens to be the hand Antonious has I also agree the three bet at the flop is strange but it does make sense given the AX suited situation, even if Antonious is against a set he still has equity and might get lower pockets or other non-made hands to fold

[@DJDonkeytron]

Love me some Antonius at the poker table!

[@petedupre85]

I like that your videos are not specific to specifically PLO or NLH, although as a primary PLO player I'd be interested in some more specifically PLO stuff in general

[@MisterReid]

Does anyone else get the feeling from Persson's body language that it was an impulsive all in? Like he just got the thought and immediately acted on it

[@lawrencemason6160]

He appears to be on tilt. The way he beats Patrik in to the pot for a raise, like he is frustrated

[@JohnnyBagvieGolf]

his insta-raise would have generally been a red alert to me he was weak.

[@maxi6074]

Thank you for this video. Really interesting, and valuable as always. 👌👌

[@PhilGalfond]

You're very welcome!

[@Labergemusic]

Love your analysis of this play Edit: to the point in your outro - I most definitely learned more about the reasoning behind that play. Most people represented it as spewy but this explained it much more clearly.

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome! Thank you 😊

[@Robert-wb8ok]

Appreciate your analysis 👍

[@chrisholland8226]

Awesome analysis of this hand, love the way you breakdown all these hands. I saw this hand discussed on another youtube channel or in a FB group where there were several people saying that Eric and Patrik had a piece of each other in this game, which means the end result wouldn't be quite as big of a loss as it appears. Any idea of that is true?

[@Pokerfarhang]

I think there are a lot of live reads and stuff in plays of people like Patrik and Dwan, I genuinely think that Patrik sensed weakness on Eric's fast raise on the flop and especially the fast call is most likely a draw which has to be dominated

[@stevegoldy2196]

Hey Phil, can't wait for you to review some hands from the hustler PLO stream with Tom Dwan. I have been enjoying watching it so much so i hope you can break down some interesting hands for us and i think there was plenty to choose from

[@Alex-yu4yi]

Please keep making these videos.. One of the best poker players of all time making free hand analysis videos for everyone 😁

[@JackFate61]

Thanks, Phil, loving this series.

[@TrondArneAusdal]

I. love thesehand analysis vids PLEASE KEEP`em Coming

[@tq6892]

Phil you’re a legend, you and Dwan inspired me to start the grind many years ago, loving this analysis content.

[@AmitSharma-qu7wq]

I like all the poker knowledge you insert in the hand reviews. That's why I watch! :)

[@PhilGalfond]

I appreciate that - thank you!

[@ashlynsperry9380]

This is really great stuff, I feel both entertained and educated :)

[@vinonations]

Great analysis PG. thanks.

[@adamshort2534]

Your comment reminded me of something I believe Barry Greenstein said about his book Ace on the River. He said that the reason he put hand history reviews in it is because if a poker book doesn't have hand history reviews no one will buy it, even though most players won't benefit from them because if you have the knowledge to benefit from them you probably already know the concepts that the hand demonstrates, and if you don't already know the concepts you probably won't really understand what's happening. Hand history reviews are entertaining, and if you curate them really well they can be educational if you look at lots and lots of them, but for the most part they are just for fun.

[@PhilGalfond]

Yeah, they’re for fun, but people tell themselves they’re learning from them. I want to try to actually help people improve.

[@terjetron]

Thank you for your insight. Super interesting hand right there.

[@MumooKevin]

Great editing by the editor!

[@Pisco514]

Thx Phil for your input, very valuable!

[@PhilGalfond]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jaredgonzales9498]

Amazing breakdown Phil, thank you so much for the content, love the reasoning and makes complete sense. I have never played live with PA but I have seen him make some huge calls, rarely see him make big laydowns. With EP's table image, and PA's tendency to call in marginal spots, from an exploitative standpoint, is this a wise move for EP to make??

[@schnu2u]

Great analysis and outcome.

[@user-gx2yy1df6f]

i have to add to what people are saying and that is , EXCELLENT job phil, very informative!

[@chrisko6439]

Persson should sell T-shirts: "9 or Queen" ;)

[@JohnLewis-old]

Enjoyed the content and certainly had a lot to think about. I would probably have gotten a little bit more out of the video if you had graphics to explain some of the more nuanced strategy. Keep up the good work.

[@PhilGalfond]

Noted! Really appreciate this feedback!

[@CostaRicaJack]

Fist video I have seen of yours. Good job. I now subscribe to your channel.

[@johnmar6376]

Great review, thank you phil

[@PhilGalfond]

Thanks for watching!

[@TrevorKNYC]

First time viewer here and I love the breakdown. Been playing for about 15 years now and I still get a little lost in the poker logic. I liked the reasoning behind why the only A3 he could have is diamonds, I learned something new there.

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome! Welcome to the channel!

[@bigtimetimmyjim6486]

While I think trying to analyze a poker barbarian's thought process (Persson's) is a bit ambitious, I still respect you giving his lines as much credibility as those you would give to a professional.

[@mannmusica]

Patrick’s table manners should be commended here

[@stephenrowe4588]

Great job!

[@alextop1850]

Hi Phil, can you do a video on the best digital tools to improve no limit holdem cash game against full ring table. Best software to use etc and apps to transfer against ai to get better in 2023?

[@bobbywhite1645]

Any value in trying to check raise the turn with a player like Persson as played?

[@WretchOnYT]

Wasn't the recent Tom Dwan pot over $3 mill?

[@PhilGalfond]

Yeah I think it broke this one's record 🙂

[@WretchOnYT]

Do you think you'd ever be invited to Triton's cashgames? They're great to watch and you'd make a killing!

[@MateoAJ]

@@PhilGalfond Seems like this was recorded months ago before the Million Dollar Game.

[@MRBURNS-nk9en]

you deserve the success coming

[@xKumei]

The hand history is nice, but your voice is also so calming lmao

[@itsaninsidething]

What about this is Televised? It is on an online streaming site. No different than youtube. The Dwan, Westley hand on HCL makes this look small.

[@user-bm4px7xy7g]

best poker detailed videos in the game. Galfond for president!

[@prestonphelan9882]

I'm curious why two overcards with a flush draw isn't a big/core part of the range we would put Patrik on in this case? Is it just that the flop 3-Bet is so strange, and we'd heavily discount a lot of combos of overpairs/flush draws that would just call? Is it because we have the Qh? Given Persson's aggressive table presence, it seems like Patrik would have a wider flop 3-Bet range. I wanted to hear more about why that range was so difficult to construct

[@PhilGalfond]

It's just that the flop 3bet is so strange that I couldn't put him on any hand. Here's my best shot at a short answer: You need to construct a betting or raising range around value hands, and there are almost no value hands that want to 3bet this flop. AA has Persson's bluffs drawing slim and doesn't want to get all in. Putting in stacks with anything worse than trips on this flop is just too much to put in, so since Patrik's potential value hands don't really want to raise, he shouldn't be raising anything.

[@prestonphelan9882]

@@PhilGalfond Thanks and thanks for the content!

[@jacobgeorge8677]

​@@PhilGalfond With Eric's bluff frequency being higher than average, Patrik risks a strong chance of being bluffed off his hand on the turn if his hand doesn't improve. By 3-betting the flop, he either gets to keep the betting lead or choose whether or not he wants to call it all off and gamble. I think being OOP makes calling -EV because we don't have much showdown value and very few 3's in our range. Eric knows we have very few 3's which increases the likelihood he is trying to steal the pot(which we know he loves to do). Am I way off with this rationale? Thanks

[@Mad1Lee]

Phil is so polite here trying to avoid saying that Persson totally punted it with Q9s for millions of big blinds.

[@brendan3143]

To call me a recreational player would be a vast overstatement. I don’t know jack about poker. But it did strike me that Eric was hoping for a queen after he called. It seemed to me like he didn’t even consider the cards Patrick may have. Basically, it felt like a shove made on gambling wishes rather than reason. Maybe that’s unfair but for that level of stakes, I thought more time and thought would have gone into it.

[@carlo.demichelis]

i love that in every monster pot spot the world class player is not afraid to call down

[@MrRagnovelenoso1]

Bring in more video analysis please 🙏 ❤

[@johnmackay1701]

Patrick on the river thinking : "fishes line make no sense - CALL" :)

[@calpoker21]

phil these videos are awesome ty so much for sharing. particularly fun to hear you turn absolute donkey spew into reasonable just unlucky play 🤣

[@pelimies1818]

Aggro won't work against Antonius. I think this has been well established for circa 20 years.

[@raymondpatrick2918]

There were some big pots on Poker After Dark during the 2010s that were over 1.5 million

[@Oheeeoh]

I'd like to be a fly on the wall in the room where Phil Hellmuth watches this hand.

[@petedupre85]

Best hand history review of any kind I've ever seen, bar none.

[@cleissooo]

Amazing content as aways! We need you to breakdown some of the hands on the crazy PLO cash game $500/$500 that happened this week on hustler casino, with durrrrrr =D

[@ernstvondincklage9762]

You def accomplished that Phil. Polkerhands has got some competition💪

[@comicbookchris3509]

Persson is the Big Fish that the pros love to play.

[@losyart]

Ofc u educated me Phil . Fun and education its all im here for. All the best

[@PhilGalfond]

Awesome!

[@anilyzerr]

it's true Antonius's value/calling range is in actuality pretty narrow, however that ligic kind of works both ways, right? Perrson's raising range is pretty narrow too, so he's extremely polarized there and could be like 75% bluffs. Also the low SPR as you mention might make call easier if this were say a $2-$5 game... possibly... say like $5150 in the pot and stacks are $2500 and guy goes all in. I mean in terms of brute big blinds yes seems scary but he already made decision to get to turn and makes small teaser bet to encourage action. But its true though is turn is 10d or 4d Patrick maybe bet fold on the turn and most of his likely range folds regardless to a shove. But patrick likely wouldve got more in on flop with KKs or QQs I think and when he gets to turn AKh is a very likely hand.... his range might be like AXh, KXh, KK-55 and some bluffs like AKo, 8x, 67s

[@gs6810]

Wasn't there a bigger hand on hustler casino live like a month after this?

[@JohnnyBagvieGolf]

What did you make of Persson's insta-raise? I usually find that to look extremely weak while trying to look very strong.

[@hassounmerchad7530]

Phil is such a good teacher

[@mcpartridgeboy]

ive a new found respect for high stakes poker now, i used to think a good 80% of them were idiots with too much money, i still believe there are players like that, but there are much less players like that than i thought. Thanks for the lesson

[@Rubaduck]

Phill have you considered heading to the lodge to battle it out with doug? would love to see it 😍

[@gscgold]

Isn't that the whole point?confuse your opponent to make a bad move? Patrick is brilliant imho.

[@toddfarkman2177]

Patrick is really good at masking his hand especially with the nuts. I've seen several YT videos of the guy extracting the max. And Perrson is the biggest fish in the barrel. Dude will pay out huge if you show any sign of weakness. His go-to play is stack bully.

[@toddfarkman2177]

What's funny is that Patrick knows Perrson. And basically has a delayed snap call. "What do you have?" Likely nothing, lol.

[@mohsenk1438]

How can you do EVERYTHING right? how is that possible to be this good at everything Poker related? Huge fanboy here Keep it up Mr Galfond ❤️

[@PhilGalfond]

Wow, thank you ☺

[@Justin-np3ki]

Thank you for putting this content out. For free nonetheless. Legendary.

[@PhilGalfond]

You're very welcome 😃