Phil Ivey first? Doug Polk launches new high-stakes heads-up challenge

Doug Polk
Dave Woods
Posted on: February 20, 2026 14:17 PST

Doug Polk has issued a new open heads-up no-limit hold’em challenge.

He is ready to take on challengers over 5,000 hands at stakes of 100/200 (the equivalent of $100/$200) or higher on ClubWPT Gold.

The challenges will take place across three days. If anyone beats him, they get a $25K bounty. Each match Polk wins sees that bounty rise by another $25K, up to a maximum of $100K if he wins three matches in a row.

The money is significant, but this challenge is also for YouTube views. Polk has said he’ll select opponents based on who “will make the most compelling match for viewers.”

Who will accept Doug Polk's challenge?

Opponents must be able to play on ClubWPT Gold, which likely rules out many sponsored pros.

Polk floated several potential opponents, including Phil Hellmuth (unlikely), Senor Tilt (likely — the two have recent beef), Phil Galfond (possible), and fellow WPT ambassador Phil Ivey. The last match-up would be a blockbuster.

Phil Ivey is also a WPT ambassador, and that could see him step up to the plate after Polk called him out. Phil Ivey is also a WPT ambassador, and that could see him step up to the plate after Polk called him out.

One name that was absent from Polk’s list is Daniel Negreanu. The two have history after Negreanu lost $1.2 million to Polk in another heads-up challenge. But Negreanu is a GGPoker pro and would almost certainly not play on a rival site.

Among the names Polk has floated are:

  • Senor Tilt
  • Eric Persson
  • Phil Hellmuth
  • Phil Galfond
  • Matt Berkey
  • Luke Schwartz
  • Bryn Kenney
  • Big Huni
  • Phil Ivey

So far no one has stepped up to the plate. But one thing we can be certain of – when someone does accept, the action will be streamed on Polk’s YouTube channel.