Dirk Gerrits—AKA Venividi1993— is close to winning his $1,000,000 bankroll challenge after 20 long months of grinding to accumulate an impressive profit of $838,356.
The PLO high-stakes master announced to his followers on X last year that he wanted to jump straight into another challenge after falling short in his Galfond Challenge match against Phil Galfond.
The premise was simple: use a $66,641.88 bankroll to win $1,000,000.
"$1,000,000 bankroll challenge"
Since I have an outstanding track record when it comes to challenges, I decided to start another one. Will be playing a mix of mostly PLO cash games and some MTTs on Sunday to achieve my goal. Suggestions for content are more than welcome! pic.twitter.com/IqhDSpUCTb
— Venividi1993 (@thevenividi1993) January 23, 2023
Although he is known as a PLO specialist, Gerrits would be playing a mixture of mostly PLO cash games with some exciting MTT action thrown in for good measure.
Well, what can we say? It’s been a rocky road since January last year marked by significant ups and downs, where we saw Gerrits showcasing both his skills and the inherent volatility of high-stakes poker.
We were left in no doubt that even if many of poker’s lower stakes players could hack these high-stakes tables, most wouldn’t have the stomach for the vicious swings.
But Gerrits has never been deterred as he posts regular updates to his fans and those who love to follow this kind of challenge.
Week 1:
Cash games -$23,249
Tournaments +$575Rakeback +$7,427
Rake -$13,549Hands played 9928
Grand total on account: $46,144
Obviously not the result we were hoping for, but have definitely been putting in the hands + study time. Back next week with better news! pic.twitter.com/ZROnAVk8v6
— Venividi1993 (@thevenividi1993) January 30, 2023
The effort didn’t get off to a great start, either. A loss of $23,249 knocked the starting bankroll down to only $42,006, threatening to derail the whole thing right from the off.
And it got worse. After 12 weeks, There was only $14,453 left in Gerrits’ GGPoker account which left him with a decision to make as that’s no bankroll for high-stakes.
In the end, Gerrits opted to top up the starting bankroll by $33,200 to make it a $100,000 to $1,000,000 challenge which would allow him to choose some juicier games.
Week 12:
Total on account: $14,453
Cash games including rakeback: +$7,387
So this week felt great since I managed to play more hands, the games on average were softer and the focus was just were it was supposed to be.
Sharp observers will see that the bankroll dipped just… pic.twitter.com/OTD0d2BLns
— Venividi1993 (@thevenividi1993) May 15, 2023
He later wrote:
”Yes at these times I start to question my abilities, which is normal. I’ve been losing for a while now and doing everything to turn it around, so it’s normal that I start doubting the fact that I lost my touch and have been away from the game for too long.”
And then steadily, the results started to come in and traction began to take hold.
By week 18, there was $112,005 on account and Gerrits started to regain his lost confidence.
Week 18:
Total on account: $112,005
Cash games including rakeback: +$27,140
A like on this post is much appreciated.
Stacking up the big wins and it's feeling pretty great. Whenever variance goes your way, you tend to play a bit better and vice versa. I like to think it's… pic.twitter.com/MtY7m4r5PV
— Venividi1993 (@thevenividi1993) June 27, 2023
After 27 weeks of playing challenge hands, the bankroll reached an impressive $334,378 and there was more to come.
As the 2024 WSOP began, the momentum took on a life of its own and before long the bankroll surpassed the half a million mark and we were all beginning to wonder if it could all be over in a matter of weeks.
Week 32:
Total account balance: $531,874
Cash games including rakeback: +$42,021
MTT results: +$22,379
A like on this post is much appreciated.
Another great result in the challenge, but it feels bittersweet this time. Yesterday, the $50/$100 table proved tough, and handling… pic.twitter.com/uw6NScxdEz
— Venividi1993 (@thevenividi1993) June 18, 2024
A couple of weeks ago, Gerrits posted that he had won a whopping $148,564 from cash games alone and confirmed on Monday that he was within $175,000 of achieving his ambitious goal.
Week 36:
Total on account: $838,356
Cash games including rakeback: +$2,197
MTT results: +$30,002
Private game results: +$8,384
Another week in the green and another hot run at the MTT tables. Not too many hands were played this week, and the next update will be in two weeks… pic.twitter.com/zyEGhDZ9Pg
— Venividi1993 (@thevenividi1993) August 5, 2024
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