Are freerolls really worth it?

[aorodrigo]

Very happy that the publication received so much interaction. I've read all comments and it's about 50-50. Keep arguing, folks. It's been very valuable to me

 

[Andrii Lubentsov]

Are freerolls really worth it?​

It depends on the goals you set for yourself in poker.

 

[ramdon p358]

Of course they are worth it, there are rooms that organize freerolls with very attractive prizes and it is the best way to start playing

 

[monkeytilter]

Yes they are worth it if you want to build a bankroll from zero.
Adjust your play to deal with the looseness and don't tilt at the bad beats (there will be plenty!).
A tip is to play lots simultaneously ad don't sweat it if you bust out, just try and play well.

 

[mariale_1990]

I always say like this: freerolls are worth it, the only thing you invest is your time, and you can see several threads with the same name that you posted and you will see that I always say the same thing, they are worth it because you don't invest your money, you only invest your time, now I'm going to ask you: if you play buy-in tournaments:
Are you not going to stress anymore? you are not going to lose with AK, KQ, AA, KK...? Do you think they're not going to call you a preflop all-in with low cards just because it's a buy-in tournament?

variance, badbeats, crazy players, very good players, etc., exist both in freeroll tournaments and in buy-in tournaments, you will probably get more stressed when you play a buy-in tournament and lose AA vs JT because you are losing your money and your investment, I recommend that you try to relax, take it more calmly and try to analyze how you can improve your game

 

[Ogma]

And you certainly invest plenty of time when @mariale_1990 is at the table.

My god, do you invest plenty of time.

 

[pancho_1954]

I only play free tournaments and I think I have had good results, average and bad, the same thing that can happen if I play a tournament for money, when I play a tournament where I have to pay the entry I do it because I qualified from a free tournament, from my point of view, freerolls are worth it, and especially if you do not have the bank to play tournaments by paying entry, another thing is that it does not matter if it is a freeroll tournament or a cash tournament you can always come across players who play very crazy, others play very well, and I know this because I have played some tournaments of $109, $215, $25 etc, where there is no shortage of madness

 

[thedarkman]

Yesterday it was, but not today. if you multitask you have nothing to lose, including time.

 

[pirateglenn]

Well they are free? No obligation and a perfect playground for players to practice their skills and develop - yes there is a massive variance of player ability but certainly the CC freerolls offer up some quality players to compete against and i am grateful for that.
Some really good players over time have built up sizable bankrolls from freerolls too.

 

[antonis32123]

Some players are successful at freerolls , so they get done extra cash back , or tickets . Others are not successful, so they should play many freerolls or not at all . If purse to invest a lot of time and win only pennies in the end , they'd not so good by all means

 

[hungup]

grinding free rolls! no not worth it, the prize size is too small! but if your just having fun playing them, then yeah, that's what they are there for!

ya looking too jam with anything that looks nice at the start, then if you lose not think twice about it cause its a free roll! but if you win then you have an advantage! you got up 4/4 times your oppent's and half off them are sitting out! jam, jam, jam! its fun!

 

[10gerka]

Freerolls are always good to start increasing your profits, it will cost a lot because there are many who participate, but it would be very good to know the game well.

 

[Stringy]

I think the issue is more with the issue of stress, I play freerolls but don't get stressed from them

 

[antonis32123]

Freerolls should have very short blind levels . It is unacceptable to play 3 , 4 , 5 or more hours for a $50 dollars prizepool . It's ridiculous to invest so much time for peanuts . Definitely you need to prioritise the freerolls , which worth's playing and which not , and when you could play it .

 

[_420_420_]

As someone who’s spent a fair amount of time at the virtual felt, I’ve often heard mixed opinions about freerolls. Some players swear by them, while others dismiss them as a waste of time. But after my own experiences, I’m firmly in the camp that believes freerolls are absolutely worth it, especially for newer players or those looking to build a bankroll without much risk. Freerolls are an excellent way to enhance your poker skills, build your bankroll, and enjoy the game without any financial risk. Whether you’re a beginner looking to learn or an experienced player wanting some low-stakes practice, there’s a lot of value to be found in these tournaments. Don’t let anyone tell you they’re not worth your time.

1. Risk-Free Experience

The biggest appeal of freerolls is right there in the name—they’re free. You don’t have to risk any of your hard-earned money to participate, yet you still get the opportunity to win real cash, tournament tickets, or other prizes. For beginners, this is an invaluable way to get a feel for the game without the anxiety of potentially losing money.

2. Building a Bankroll from Scratch

Many poker players have built their bankrolls from absolutely nothing by starting with freerolls. It’s not just about the money; it’s about the confidence that comes from turning $0 into a tangible sum. Even if you’re an experienced player, freerolls can be a great way to supplement your bankroll, especially if you’re between deposits or want to play low-risk poker.

3. Learning and Improving Your Game

Freerolls are an excellent learning environment. The competition might be softer compared to buy-in tournaments, but that’s actually a good thing when you’re trying to refine your strategies. You’ll encounter all sorts of playing styles, from ultra-aggressive maniacs to overly passive players. Adjusting your strategy in response to these different styles is crucial and freerolls offer you plenty of practice.

4. Diverse player styles

Freerolls often attract a diverse group of players, from complete newbies to seasoned pros who enjoy a no-risk game. Participating in freerolls can be a great way to engage with the poker community, make new friends, and even pick up some tips from more experienced players. This is a good opportunity to practice against different styles of play and test new strategies.

5. It's fun

Finally, let’s not forget that poker is fun. Whether you’re in it for the money, the strategy, or just the love of the game, freerolls provide a platform to enjoy poker without the stress of financial loss. The thrill of making it to the final table or even just pulling off a successful bluff is just as real in a freeroll as it is in a high-stakes game.

 

[dreamer13]

Freerolls are often underestimated. You need to focus on showing your best game regardless of what your opponents do. They can make any illogical or negative actions. This should not knock you out of your emotional balance.The strategy needs to be adjusted to be more aggressive, aimed not at outlasting opponents, but at winning the tournament.

 

[Marshmalo1994]

First thing you may answer is: "of course, they are free", but what about wasting time, your stress?
Yesterday I've lost: AK x A3 / KQ x 98 / TT x 87s / AQ x 38 (all preflop)

Again, you may say "of course, it's a thing called variance"
But I desagree. Of course variance exists and we should deal with it, but no where in the world a player would call an all in (over 20~30bbs) with A3 or 38. That really piss me off!!

Here's my graph that says that I mainly play freerolls, Yeah, it's only "for fun",but thinks really stress me out.
Paying a USD2,00, even if is an insignificant ammount, would chance things?

Where do you play? I know what you mean, but there's some freerolls that are not that way at all.

I play $2.2 and $3.3, and I still see some ridiculous hands. I was knocked out from a $109 event with AKo against a 53s. And it was a +20BB shove. Obviously there's more regular players, tho

 

[john_entony]

I don't know what's wrong with you at all. If there were no fishes that call my "AA", it would be harder for me to make money at freerolls. Nerves, stress? I get nervous only when I play tournaments with buy-in more than 100$, and in freerolls I react to such moves with a smile.

 

[sandy358]

First thing you may answer is: "of course, they are free", but what about wasting time, your stress?
Yesterday I've lost: AK x A3 / KQ x 98 / TT x 87s / AQ x 38 (all preflop)

Again, you may say "of course, it's a thing called variance"
But I desagree. Of course variance exists and we should deal with it, but no where in the world a player would call an all in (over 20~30bbs) with A3 or 38. That really piss me off!!

Here's my graph that says that I mainly play freerolls, Yeah, it's only "for fun",but thinks really stress me out.
Paying a USD2,00, even if is an insignificant ammount, would chance things?

View attachment 364760

As for someone with a tiny bankroll freerolls are essential for the case if I suddenly go broke

 

[jerrycheng]

I think it's perfect for practice

 

[Mbushe]

Yes they are, especially for cash prizes, you can hustle your way up with freerolls and start playing micro tourneys, if you don't want to deposit for some reason.

 

[exer888]

I think that freerolls are good for players that dont want to deposit money, and want to grind bankroll from zero. Its a good opportunity for every participant and its free. Just dont play it from some expectation for big score. You dont need to gamble all in preflop, the field is so soft that small ball strategy and picking good spots to put your chips in will pay you sooner or later. If you think that freeroll are pointless and you have money to spare for your bankroll in online poker, then do it that way. But i will allways recomend new players that they try to grind freerolls.

 

[odonob]

It’s a lot of effort for little reward. If you have time then they can add a small bit to your income. They do teach how to play MTTs and this can be a valuable tool to help people get more money out of money tournaments.

 

[InuWill]

Dudes, I mainly play freerolls for the past 03 years of activity, I've earned and cashout ($ in account) something about net and with no loss (other than what I've earned from freerolls and the time I've implemented) about USD 6k, for a middle class (****ed by society) living in south america, I've basically made a second-handed car within 03 years playing from work, making money while I make money. So I could well be saying without this money, I wouldn't be able to finish my graduation, make some trips, pay my bills, drink and eat a lot of expensive things from this money. So yeah if you're dedicated and good gamer, then it's worthy it. (the money I make, sometimes I try my luck in 1,2,5,10 USD depending on how I'm feeling my game is going about that time. (888 + pokerstars + Netbet Poker (before it got out of brazil) were my main playing platforms.

 

[Flyer35]

I like freerolls. You don't have to play stupid unless you want to. If you do, the odds still apply. I don't find them stressful at all. On the contrary I play them to relax.

Are they worth it? Absolutely!