Galfond's Run It Once Poker Site to Launch this Summer

In September 2016, Phil Galfond first announced his intention to add a real money playing section to his Run It Once training site. Over the past years, however, the poker pro suffered a series of setbacks and delays that had players wondering if the project would ever get off the ground, with Galfond recently stating:
“Our software delays weren’t the typical delays that come with the territory. We made some significant missteps early in our software development (I don’t just mean our tech team – I’m as much to blame as anyone) and it set us on a course that’s been very difficult to navigate.”
This week, Run It Once Poker finally took a step closer to being realized after Galfond revealed that the site had now begun its private beta testing phase, and that an initial version of the online poker site should be ready to go live this summer.
Cash then Tournaments
Phase 1 of the roll out will offer cash games, while tournament play will be added in Phase 2 later on down the line. Explaining the rationale behind his phased roll out, Galfond said that his team was further along in the development of their cash game offering than tournaments, and that the site would rather launch with a polished version of their product that a partial one. Galfond further pointed out that launching with cash games also made sense as it would allow the site to steadily build up its customer base, whereas “launching with tournaments only would be extremely challenging for a new site fighting for liquidity.”
Phase 1
Galfond is one of the most active members of the online poker community, and over the years has regularly provided his insights into how the game could be be innovated and improved for the players. The pro said that he is now looking forward to putting some of those innovations into practice at his new real money poker site, although more details as to what they may be will be released and fully marketed gradually via his blog
“We have some fun features and distinct policies that you’ll have to wait to hear about, but I assure you that Run It Once Poker, even in Phase 1, will be different from the rest,” explained Galfond
Phase 2
Wetting his followers appetite, Galfond said that Phase 2 would include a range of enhancements in terms of software and user options, and that its SNG and MTT products would offer “awesome nosebleed stakes” and an innovative experience. Nevertheless, no timetable has yet been provided for the final phase, with Galfond explaining:
“I just became ready to announce Phase 1, so I’m still a ways away from sharing estimates for Phase 2. You’ll hear from me on that once I have something concrete to tell you.”
Poker Room for Players
Over the past couple of years, a focus on recreational players by the major online poker operators has left many of the pros feeling sidelined. Nevertheless, professional players feel that brands should be able to offer benefits to both groups of poker players at the same time, with Phil Galfond deciding to turn his dream into a reality by announcing his intention to create a fair and transparent real money site complete with a lower rake, and a reward system slightly skewed in favor of dedicated pros.
It now remains to be seen just how different Run It Once Poker will be compared to other rival sites, but what Galfond has guaranteed, at least, is a unique product whose focus will be on producing a fun and authentic poker experience for its players. Attracting large numbers of players, however, will ultimately determine whether or not the site will be a great success, and offer a valid alternative to his competition.