Freerolls tournament is a great way to increase your bankroll. Most freerolls have tiny prizes pools. However, there is a trend were freerolls would have rebuys and add ons to cover the cost.
There is no perfect strategy that would guarantee that you will win. The reason is also the same reason for micro tournaments. Understanding the factors than actually trying to formulate a winning strategy is more effective.
Understand the field
Freeroll tournaments attract lesser skilled players more. Good players, of course, would rather play decent buy-in tournaments due to this factor alone.
Less skilled players or recreational players tend to be erratic in their gameplay. They could call your bet due to “a feeling” or “a hunch.” which could bust you out.
They could even be playing pocket deuce badly enough that you get hit on the river.
Freeroll tournaments which have rebuys option are much worst. A player could have a bankroll that just because you busted him in the wrong way, he keeps rebuying for revenge. You might be skilled, but one mistake could destroy the stack you built.
Take note of how each player play could help you understand more on how to adjust your game.
The early stage is chaos.
The early levels are a warzone, with players willing to go “all in” with anything. To players ready to gamble and call when they think the pot is good enough. It is a virtual land mine.
Surviving the first few levels is the key. As the tournament goes deep, the survivors will be players who got lucky during the earlier shove fest, and those who are taking the game more seriously.
Patience is key.
Play the basic
Know what hand to play in what position. Most of the tables you can search are base on studies and percentages. There are logic and reasoning behind those tables.
With too many recreational players on the field, a player could shove any hand at any given time. It may not make sense, but he could be wanting to double up or leave.
Micro tournaments also have the same logic.
Knowing which hand has a higher percentage to win at what position is an edge.
limit (if not completely eliminate) bluffs
If players can shove with any hand or call due to a hunch, bluffing will be very difficult.
As much as possible, especially during the initial stage, be patient and do not bluff.
Avoid the chip leader.
The chip leader can be a lucky player who was able to amass a good stack or a player with skills. You do not win the tournament by having the biggest stack in the early level or mid-levels, you win a tournament by being the last man out.
again patience!
Take advantage of the bubble time
A player who played a freeroll tournament. Especially a Poker tournament that attracted a lot of players. Chances are they want to get paid. Find out which players will hang on to get into the money and take advantage of it.
Freeroll tournaments have a tendency to have high payout only on the top. This is an old practice that poker operators use to make it appear that the money is worth it.
Make sure you can cash out
Make sure you can cash out, especially true in online Poker. There might be a hidden clause you have to deposit before you can make any withdrawals.
Last advice
Understand that due to COVID19, the world is far different now than before.
There are a lot of people that log in during the start of the pandemic. However, the truth is that the numbers are going down. With so many people losing their real jobs. Recreational players are playing less.
As recreational players are growing smaller, grinders are also shifting to more populated sites to find fish.
If players are looking for freerolls or good valued Micro tournaments, Players might find good deals in branded sites. Smaller sites and new sites tend to have limited marketing capabilities and will only result in old marketing tactics.
Small guaranteed freerolls or high rake backs are the usual tactics.
But the online world is growing. Look around, and you might find better freerolls that are worth your time.
