Freeroll strategy

[mothmandan]

I would like to know if anyone can recommend a strategy for freerolls. I have played a few in the past that I considered viable tournaments (e.g. Full Contact Poker - Negreanu Protege 1) and because I am waiting to see what happens with this online poker world before I start playing cash games I started playing a few weekly ones at some of the poker rooms. I am only looking to have fun and if I get really lucky I may win an entry into a small cash tournament in the future. I am not trying to build a bankroll, but I am sick of sucking out after an hour when I think I am playing decent poker.

My problem is that I seem to get short stacked quickly and would like to know how to avoid this. Many people go all in quickly at the start (hey its free, who cares attitude) and this pays off for a few people who can then own the tables. With the little experience I have it seems as though people treat them like SNGs. Should I approach them as a SNG and use the outlines seen in Miller's "Getting Started in Hold'em"? Is there some other approach I should use? It seems as though the sit and pounce strategy isn't working. Should I dive deeper into GSIH and SSH, is there any other reading I should do, or should I just keep practicing?

I guess this is sort of a stupid topic, but maybe someone out there has some advice.

[Rook]

Large Freeroll tourneys are very much crapshoots early on. The first levels play exactly like a rebuy tourney. My suggestion? Loosen up your starting hand requirement a little bit. Maybe include AJ in your reraising/calling range, drop your PP down to about 88.

Don't be scared to push AI to a raise, even if it seems you are massively overbetting the pot. Chances are the raiser will call you anyway.

Don't play stupid (like pushing AI with air, or bottom pair), but don't play super tight either. People have no money invested, so they play like maniacs. You've got to get in there early with them to make any chips. Just try to go in with the best hand, and hope for a good flop.

[Rook]

P.S. This is why freeroll tournaments are really bad for poker development. They require all the wrong tools to do well in early on. They teach bad habits, and those bad habits are tough to kick for the inexperienced poker player.

[PantsOnFire]

Here is my freeroll strategy.

1. The first thing to recognize are the huge implied odds. This means small PP and suited connectors can easily double or triple you up if you hit. I try to see a lot of pots early for cheap.

2. Opposite of point 1., I'll drop out of a lot of hands with AK, AQ, 1010 or lower if there are multiple all-ins. The reason for this is that there will be some Axs guys some KQ some JJ+, etc. and it usually ends up that the cards you need to improve your hand are in somebody elses hand. For multiple all-ins I like only AA or KK and sometimes QQ.

3. Get a good read on the aggressive types. When you hit the flop you are either pushing or checking to the LAG and then pushing.

4. There is very little room for playing actual poker. This is longball poker only.

5. The number of opponents in the pot is crucial. I'll push in with a nut flush draw against one or two opponents. Against multiple opponents, I usually check/call good draws and check/fold TPTK.

6. A hand like two pair, I am carefully assessing the situation and either folding or pushing.

7. On made straights, I am definitely pushing as soon as I have the chance unless I have a good read on an aggressive player and then will check/push. Same thing with a flush other than the nut flush.

8. I will only slowplay a full house or the nut flush. I will only slowplay the flop. After the turn, it's a push (or a large bet if push is ridiculous) and no check/raise attempt on the turn either. Money needs to go into the pot on the turn.

And like one poster said, most of this is contrary to good poker but it is my freeroll strategy and it has worked.

[treo]

thanks for Rook's advice.
I'm often play some private freeroll,
and can get in the money frequently,
but when I was in the money,I always
have the least chips and seldom win big prize.
any advice?