So let's imagine for a minute there were no good CardsChat's Freerolls, which are not only real fun to play in, but provide a really good value on a long run too.
But what do you think, is it worth to play all those (non-CC) freerolls everywhere running or is it just a waste of time and better pick some normal MTTs with much smaller field but those cost you some money to play in and concentrate on playing them only, trying to climb on a next limit by that? If you were a beginner or a player with not so big bankroll? And would you play/are you playing (non-CC) freerolls still, even if you are already an experienced player, who did increased his bankroll well enough to escape micro limits?

Well i'm not a beginner myself, however neither a pro or highroller. But i still play many freebuys and freerolls, where i make cash big really not too often (which is typical for many-K-fields). Sometimes it bring me thoughts, maybe i am wasting my time and would be better to open additional MTT or SNG table instead.

In conclusion to my thoughts above, i want to mention some interesting advice i've heard recently from one of PokerStrategy MTT trainer in his video. He literally said, that after many years of playing poker he came to the conclusion, that you better avoid big fields at any costs and seek for smaller fields, as it's not only better for your bankroll, as you cash more often in it, but also for your motivation overall. Of course at bigger field MTT you possibly can win more, if you reach Final Table or even win a tournament. But how often will it happen? One, few times per half year? And it's if you play regularly enough. And the rest of time just min-payouts or nothing. At smaller field MTT you are likely get there more often and it keep your head above water.

So what are your thoughts about it? Please share it!

MTT, the variance is very large, some have rebuys, this leaves even greater variance, and the deck (the cards) does not forgive .. MTT, are challenging, you need to know how to deal with patience and play your best game apply your best technical SNG is really easier because the vast majority have no late registration, and the level of the micro has very recreational it gives you a significant advantage. My advice mix the MTT with SNG, plus play more sng and few MTT, even more if you still do not have a healthy bankrol.

I`m at the same crossroads,i enjoy freerolls,but i feel i could be doing something that improves my game more.It`s hard passing up what i consider `free` money,but i think we have to move on if we want our games to evolve.I find it sometimes hard to change gears after playing a freeroll,then playing a $20 buy-in

I still play the freerolls and some mtt sit just when I get some satelites that in expensive them, but if I had a good bench for these types of micro stacks games I would not even stop playing the freerolls, and I will not participate in the CC here we learn many things from the thoughts of each player and so on.

Tough one. But here's my take on it.

Freerolls aren't supposed to be your bread-and-butter, its supposed to give you an idea of the elements involved in a tournament (stages, equities, game-plan, etc). You're not in it to make a crushing bankroll, one win here-and-there and you should be more than happy.

Now getting to more details of MTTs, you're right in saying that you should favor small field tournaments than big fields. To get to the maths, if the number of players in the tournament are 2000, then your chances of winning the 1st place is 1/2000 or 0.05%. So you can calculate you chance of winning a place by that simple formula: (Place/No. of entrants). Now, not every player in the field has the same kind of experience or same level of game, that is why some people multiply "Edge" to the chance of winning. But that's a very different topic altogether.

Anyways coming back to the point, should you start by playing Freerolls or should you start playing micro-stakes MTTs? Its simply a choice, if you can take the risk of Bankrolling yourself for micro-stakes, then sure, go for it. That said, the skill level of player doesn't change that much from a freeroll to a micro, you'll see the same kind of play. Should you directly invest into playing medium buy-ins? Sure, if you've the appetite for it (skill level of opponents will be very different from a micro though). The skill level keeps increasing as you go up the ladders, players in general are better equipped and have a better knowledge of the game. So to conclude, its your risk-appetite that should determine what stake you want to start playing. Just remember, don't whine when you loose ("he just got lucky", "site is rigged", etc etc ~ You know the drill). Learn, that's the only way to becoming a better MTT player.

game on small fields quick and the game better don't know how you can make money on small margins, earnings probably too small

I'm of the opinion that there is value in any learning opportunity. Freerolls do teach us certain things. As you've pointed out, it's really hard to win in a massive crowd. But people do win. Why? It's not just luck, although that certainly comes into play. If you can only afford to play freerolls, you need to learn how to play them well. Surviving in a massive crowd is a skill that can then be taken to massive tournaments with real money buy-ins such as the Pokerstars Sunday Storm and the Sunday Million.

I believe that one with the other what changes is the variance, in freeroll the first levels are a Russian roulette, instead in MTT you get more conservative players depending on the buy in of the tournament,
but I am one of the players that each tournament play seriously is freerrol or MTT,

Play to your bankroll and your ability, if you dont have bankroll or the ability then freerolls are definitely the way to go. They are also a good place to work on your game. If your bankroll can support the micros freerolls are still good to "fill your screen" and they lower your risk of ruin.

I like to play non-CC freerolls because it is a donk-fest. When there are more tables open they are not my priority tables. Just having some fun and maybe you have some luck and get some extra $$

Originally Posted by imnoobpoker

I like to play non-CC freerolls because it is a donk-fest. When there are more tables open they are not my priority tables. Just having some fun and maybe you have some luck and get some extra $$

absolutely!!!! Just played an acr freeroll, 1st hand AA, I raised and our ever so clever donk goes allin, well thats what you want with AA isnt it. The winner? His 63o, flopped 2 pr.
But it doesnt bother me at all because these donks will be our bread and butter sooner rather than later!

Hi, man!
As a newbie in poker who has played several thousands of hands I would defienetly stand for Sit and Go tourneys; there are not so many plyers in them (loke 45 in one for 0.25$) and it lasts max 3 hours in extreme cases when everyone's waiting for monsters to open with. That's what I've discovered though may be there are some other optiones that I'm missing, aren't there?

I totally agree with the small fielded MTTs because it reduces the variance.

As for the freerolls I believe that the vast majority of them are donkfests with players who bet and call without having no idea what they are doing. Sometimes I open the $10 on demand on ACR and the things there are very wild :P

I find no difference in micro limits MTTs compared to the freerolls at the early stages BUT later on after some hours you can tell who is a bad and who is a good player!

I am afraid that if you want to learn poker you have to take into account the buy in you have paid.

Freerolls dont cost money to play... Micro gives you similar or worse winnings to freerolls... Logic... Freeroll is better.

I'm giving up poker and trying chess

I tend to disagree with most of the posters here. There is a lot of dead money in larger tournaments. This will allow better player to grow their stack. When you have a decent stack you take take a beat and still be able to play. In a smaller tournament if you lose a big pot, you may be all but on the rail.

I think there's absolutely no reason NOT to play freerolls when you're building a bankroll, especially if you're relatively new. I have't proven this yet but, I believe tournaments are beatable if you understand tournament strategy.They are an excellent way to practice new techniques you are implementing.
In the last month, just running them in the background once in a while, I've cashed:
1st place: $5.75 in $25 freeroll
3rd: $7.00 in $100 freeroll
6th: $0.50 in $10 freeroll
21st: $1.00 in $100 freeroll

Yesterday I won my first real money tournament for $115.00 using the exact strategies I honed in the freerolls.
I also do a ton of poker homework and strategy and hand analysis off the table to improve my game. Sorry this was so long, I'm new here

I really haven't noticed too much of a difference between micros and free rolls, as far as quality of play. As someone else already pointed out, sometimes the payouts are better in FRs. I think SNGs can offer a step up in play as well as a different type of challenge coming off of MTTs.

Originally Posted by alienat3d

In conclusion to my thoughts above, i want to mention some interesting advice i've heard recently from one of PokerStrategy MTT trainer in his video. He literally said, that after many years of playing poker he came to the conclusion, that you better avoid big fields at any costs and seek for smaller fields, as it's not only better for your bankroll, as you cash more often in it, but also for your motivation overall. Of course at bigger field MTT you possibly can win more, if you reach Final Table or even win a tournament. But how often will it happen? One, few times per half year? And it's if you play regularly enough. And the rest of time just min-payouts or nothing. At smaller field MTT you are likely get there more often and it keep your head above water.

So what are your thoughts about it? Please share it!

Hello Al! I rarely see you posting any threads

Anyway I totally agree with what I've quoted of your post.
Just think about the time you are committing vs the results you get. And additionally & most importantly, how it effects you mentally.
Then you decide for yourself.

I honestly believe moving up in stakes and playing higher level tourneys with a lesser number of players or catching the odd tourney that don't attract many is what should be done. At least for me.
And also the room you are playing plays an important role as well. People love PS cause of the bigger payouts regardless of the rake. But how many successful MTTers at low stakes do you see there?

Even the streamers who play low & mid stakes, I've seen so frustrated & tilted at times.

So I agree with playing lesser fields more. Money at MTTs is at the FT. So the more FTs you make, the more money you'll win. So it comes down to the odds of you making the FT.

in my opinion for a beginner I think it would be better to start with the Freeroll first to get acquainted with the personal style of the game. to start johar the Micros

Most people that play freerolls and micros aren't interested in the money aspect, I'd assume. I'd say that you'll probably get a more enjoyable game out of the micro's given that you've put something in the pot and so has everyone else. There will likely be more carelessness in a Freeroll.

It is very important for beginners to first play a certain number of hands on freerol tournaments and then start real money playing...

As far as i understand, freerolls and small mtts have a great difference in-between. So it is really your own selection to what to play. That thing is what you can play better.

the freerolls are excellent for their prizes but for many hours, the amount of players is huge, I like more sit & go that do not have repurchases,

Usually when i play the free rolls tournaments ppl just keep goes all in cause they have nothing to lose. The real poker strategy games and the fun are the tournaments with value. Im still a beginner and plays freerolls or max 5,5$ buy in. My vision is to win one of those and then start play higher cash tournaments.

Originally Posted by rckstr2b

Yesterday I won my first real money tournament for $115.00 using the exact strategies I honed in the freerolls.
I also do a ton of poker homework and strategy and hand analysis off the table to improve my game. Sorry this was so long, I'm new here

Mind if you could elaborate your strategy?

For me, it's not very difficult to gain a few cents from freerolls. Though after I secure a few cents, I say "f**k it", and start playing badly. Also, the blinds are getting big at this stage, I can feel it "eating me". Then I get eliminated, usually with a "ah f**k it, all in".

Still figuring it out how to solve this.

Originally Posted by Gulas

Mind if you could elaborate your strategy?



For me, it's not very difficult to gain a few cents from freerolls. Though after I secure a few cents, I say "f**k it", and start playing badly. Also, the blinds are getting big at this stage, I can feel it "eating me". Then I get eliminated, usually with a "ah f**k it, all in".



Still figuring it out how to solve this.

First off, to me it sounds like you’re playing off feeling, not strategy. I used to do the same. It’s horribly ineffective online I’ve found.
You gotta look deeper, for instance you said you get nervous and unsure what to do when you’re short stacked. That’s literally 2/3 of the tournament. I could tell you a bunch of strategies, but that won’t help until you get used to practicing off the tables.
GL to you tho

Some great advises here. Basically play up to your bankroll and ability. If you have bankroll don't play freerolls.