I've been playing a freeroll or two on a daily basis for a bit now, and that first hour drives me absolutely up the wall. Obviously given the free pass into the tourney, mixed with the generally small prize pool, I can see how a lot of players would treat them with less than total seriousness. Some of the things I've seen are just insane, though. At least two people per table trying to push all in on every hand until they eventually bust or clear out a table. I've busted out of at least a half dozen with hands like QQ or better, while they go all in with hands like 62offsuit. I know suckouts happen, but I'm sure some of these people would call with a 7 and the little instruction card that comes in the box with the deck. So far the only way I found to try to avoid it is to sit out a few levels (in which case you lose chips over time) or to take late registration as late as possible and sit out for an orbit (which puts you quite a ways down from the chipleaders). I mean, other than private freerolls like cardschats there's no real way around it, so mostly I'm just venting. Lol. How do you guys deal with the constant shovers?
I have been trying to figure this out for 3 years. Ive asked the same question numerous times and the answers though helpful and appreciated are all the same. Its variance. Eventually it will come back around in good runs. Be happy you got your money in right and dont worry about the results etc.
Here is the truth as I see it. Play to have fun and expect to lose 50% of the time even when you know you have your opponent beat as long as there are streets left to hit the board. There is no out of bounds number or percentage at which the suckouts will cease or go the opposite direction. This doesnt mean you cant still have great fun as I do and they are free after all.
Yesterday alone I finished 12 out of 691, 16 out of 601, 19 out of 702, 16 out of 655 and the only in the money was 9th out of 688. Every single had that sent me out of each of those tournys I was ahead or way ahead in. Today my only tournys was QQ vs A5 they hit an Ace on the turn. Another one of those every hand players jamming every hand. I had some chips from another win and played 66 against him. Caught a 6 on the flop on a very dry board, they jammed again with 97 suited no pairs no draws and hit runner runner flush. My AK diamonds ran into AK hearts and they flushed me out lol. Another tourny AK suited vs A3 they spiked the 3.
The fact these folks play like this can be answered several ways like free to play. No skin in the game. Want to chip up big early or not waste the time etc. But many of these type players play like this the entire tourny and often have monster stacks..........Because they are use to getting bailed out enough that it is actually + ev.
Have fun regardless but dont destroy your brain trying to figure out how or why on those freerolls like I have.