On October 5th, we saw the last play in the second incarnation of the Tom Dwan Million Dollar Challenge, or Durrrr Challenge for short. The ongoing battle between Dwan and Dan “JungleMan12” Cates stretches for 50,000 hands. But, as of the end of the October 5th session, just 7,660 had been played. When will see resumption of the Durrrr Challenge?
The railbirds came out in earnest when Dwan and Cates first started their challenge in late August. After all, this was one of the most feared players in all of poker facing off against one of the game’s rising superstars. Since then, Cates and Dwan have wagered an amazing $46 million and Cates has built a $657,000 lead.
In case you’re not familiar with the Durrrr Challenge, here are its parameters. Dwan and Cates are battling for a total of 50,000 hands of $200/$400 Heads-Up No Limit Hold’em. If Dwan is up by $1 or more at the end of 50,000 hands, Cates will owe $500,000 in cash. If Cates is up by $1 more, then Dwan will fork over $1.5 million after giving any challengers 3:1 on their money. In either case, the victor keeps the spoils of the action.
Of the 10 largest pots in the second installment of the Durrrr Challenge, Cates has won six of them, including the top four, which likely helps explains how he’s jumped out to such a large lead early. Dwan actually held the financial edge in the challenge during the first 2,000 hands, but Cates turned up the heat shortly thereafter. Cates has won 4,691 of the hands dealt, whereas Dwan has scooped 2,926.
In recent days, Dwan has been pent up in Macau playing in nosebleed cash games with pros like Chau Giang and Phil Ivey along with a host of local businessmen. He’s also been amusing himself with prop bets, Tweeting a few days ago, “Just bet Chau Giang $100 I’d like bird’s nest soup – lost it – don’t like that bird spit yo.”
Meanwhile, halfway around the world, Cates entered a $5,000 buy-in tournament at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City. He ultimately Tweeted his demise: “Busted out in 45th or so. Lost two very big pots with 80%+ equity.” Will a resurrection of the Durrrr Challenge be in order now? Stay tuned to find out!
