Luck and Sod's law

Hi,

As a real novice poker player. I've noticed that luck plays such a major(and sometimes annoying role) in the freeroll poker.

I've no intention of depositing any money in, until I get good enough to win at least a couple of freeroll tournaments.

Its such a pain though, when I fancy a game of poker I have to wait at most an hour(i use UB freeroll every hour) But then, most of the time I'll lose it. Either because I have to keep folding to peoples 'all ins', or because I'll call it, then they get lucky and win.

I've tried that method myself of just 'all in'ing on the first bet. But it doesnt work in the slightest. Infact the only time it does seem to work is when i'm genuinely trying to lose all my chips so I can close the game, then I cant help but win.


How do the rest of you cope with it, or do you suffer from the same problem?

In my experience, freerolls aren't a good way to "test your skill". People generally play like complete donks and make horrible plays that you normally (note I say normally, you'll run into idiots when playing for cash too) wouldn't see in a "real" buy-in game. If you're not comfortable making a deposit & playing for cash yet, try the play chip games. People still generally play crazy but you don't have to wait an hour to get into the next game if you bust. If you're really interested in winning some cash in the freerolls though there is a good article on FR strategy in the poker strategy section, check it out.

deposit money or just accept ur in a game of bingo an accept ur gonna lose most times

actually I've won some freerolls in the past but, the way I approach them is simple, play tight, only coming in hands where you know ur in the lead preflop, and don't bluff because ur more then likely going to get called regardless, if ur trying to start a bankroll through freerolls my advice is play on starts really, yes the fields are huge and the ppl that play in them are retarded but the payout is worth it if u make it to round 2, I think first is 400 or and the play is similar in that so u don't have nothing to worry about if u make it in round 1 u'll make it in round 2, gl

Hi, thanks for the advice.
Next time I fancy a game of poker I may well play on the play money section. Although when you know you can't really lose it makes the game less fun I find.
I'm sorry, what do you mean?

This, in my opinion, is the strategy for freerolls -- tight tight tight at least until you're down to 1/3 of the original starting field. At that point, most of the detritus is gone and the folks that are left are playing to get at the (admittedly small) money for the top 1-5 tables.

I've never made a deposit at a poker site -- the only money I play is what I've won in freerolls, so it can be done.

I agree tight tight tight is right most the time. I only vary from this strategy when I see or read opponent stealing blinds or bluffing way to much, then I shift gears but dont stay in that mode. Play the freerolls not the play chips it didnt cost you to enter and half through the game is when it gets better as most of the free wheelers have lost their chips. GL

I'm not saying you can't make anything of playing freerolls, I've cashed in quite a few. I'm just saying that you should expect to get sucked out on quite a bit because of all the bad play that goes on. I do agree that Ubertight is the way to go, but even then you'll see morons calling with crap & sucking out.