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Dwan Versus Cates Durrrr Challenge

Dan Cates, also known as "jungleman12", widened his already substantial lead over Tom "durrrr" Dwan in the Million Dollar Challenge after defeating Dwan in a session lasting for 780 hands in the early morning hours of Friday, March 25 (Central Standard Time). The two masters played $200/$400 No-Limit Hold'em, as in all other sessions. The morning's largest pot was $127,000. Cates won that hand with a straight (nine high) against Dwan's two pair (sixes and fives).

By the end of the session, Cates's lead had increased by $270,000 to $1.2 million. At this point Dwan, who was apparently playing while riding on an airplane, declared that he was losing his internet connection due to turbulence, and play was concluded. The action brought the total number of hands played in the Challenge to 18,236 out of a planned 50,000. The previous session, which the two played earlier in March, saw Cates win $122,000.

The stakes of the Million Dollar Challenge are even higher than the big numbers already posted would suggest. According the rules established by Dwan, should Cates end up as the victor in the Challenge, he will get not only the money he has won, but also an additional $1.5 million. If, on the other hand, Dwan makes a comeback and finishes ahead, Cates will have to give him an extra $500,000.

Dwan, 24, is a member of Team Full Tilt. He has made a name for himself over the past few years through his success both on- and offline. He has won seven money finishes at the World Series of Poker, and has also earned distinction on the World Poker Tour. The 21-year-old Cates is one of the online poker world's biggest up-and-comers as signified by a recent profile of him in the New York Times Magazine - who won $5.5 million in 2010. With his string of victories over Dwan in the Million Dollar Challenge, Cates seems poised to take Dwan's place as the top wunderkind of poker. He has lead Dwan for nearly the entire course of the Challenge.

Poker enthusiasts the world over will be watching the remainder of the Dwan-Cates battle. With over half the total number of hands still left to play, the final result is anything but certain.

More information on the Million Dollar Challenge, along with updates, can be found on its official website at http://www.durrrrchallenge.com/. The Challenge also has its own Twitter feed and YouTube channel.