Are freerolls a good place to practice tournement strategy?

[jtd00123]

Hello, are freerolls were a good place to practice tournament strategy? I noticed that practicing with play chips just teaches poor tactics (wait until you have a hand, then push), and while freerolls are not exactly like real money, people tend to play better then they do with play chips. I don't want to risk any money until I improve, but at the same time I don't want to practice with play chips, because the level of play is horrible (if you want to win with playchips, play super tight until you have a hand, then overbet, won a lot this way). I was in the money several times and usually finish in the top 5-10 percent in freerolls (isn't saying much, half the people like to go all in), and I want to have more practice before I put in any more money (i've only put in 20 dollars so far in online poker). Despite the stigma of freerolls, people do tend to play better past the first break.

Should I stick to freerolls to gain more experience, or does is simply teach me bad play and I should I play the microstakes?

[hERESY]

no, freerolls are not a place of strategy

[McMelchior]

Once in a blue moon I'll play a freeroll or a 10 cents buy-in on Stars ($50 added, whoohoo!).

I haven't been able to tell any difference in the level of play.

As a matter of fact I don't think there's any substantial difference between the play in the freerolls and the Sunday hundred grand, at least during the first half hour.

If $20 is an issue for you I suggest you try to build a small roll by playing freerolls and then take frequent shots at micro limit SnGs.

[M1cKmAcK]

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I haven't been able to tell any difference in the level of play.

As a matter of fact I don't think there's any substantial difference between the play in the freerolls and the Sunday hundred grand, at least during the first half hour.

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I disagree with this statement. Freerolls are not realistic enough. It's way too easy to finish in the money every single tournament or sng. My suggestion to you is this; deposit $20 again. This time, play strictly the same game, whether it is a $1 sng or a $1 tournament. Keep track of your results in a notebook. After you have finished 10 sngs, or 10 tournaments, see where your bankroll is at. If your up, continue to do this until your bankroll is high enough to try to push it to the next level. It is very important to play the same stake every time though. This will tell you how consistent you are at that level. If you have lost money after the first ten games, you know you are not ready yet for real money games.
This I offer to you whether you are ready or not... Make sure to read Harrington on Hold Em 1 and 2. It will further your game beyond belief. He really knows how to teach poker so it is easy to understand. Good luck... let us know how you do.

[WJL]

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I disagree with this statement. Freerolls are not realistic enough. It's way too easy to finish in the money every single tournament or sng.

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If you think this is true, I think Chris Ferguson would love to have a chat with you . . . since it took him 6 months to get over $7 playing freerolls and micros at FT during his $10000 Challenge.

In fact, I challenge you to play the $100 Freerolls at FT once a day for a week. If you make the money once, I'll be a believer.

So far, all I'm playing is freerolls and satellites. I have my reasons, and this will be changing soon. However, I have watched the HH reviews, and from what I see, the middle-to-late stages of the money freerolls at FT are every bit as tough as some of the SSMTTs. Alot of the freeroll players are people who, for whatever reason, can't get real money into the system, and making the money in these things is the only way they have to generate working capital in FT or wherever.

With all due respect, there are a lot of idiots out there playing freerolls . . . I may be one of them . . . but there are also some pretty decent players out there, and it is far higher quality play than the play money games.

I'll be seeing you guys in the 180s soon.

[wizard]

Wow - I had to read a lot of posts before I found one with which I agree. Obviously freerolls get very little respect on 2+2. I have found that I get knocked out early with some pretty loose wierd play but after the first hour or so the play gets pretty sound. At least as sound as the under $100 tourneys that I played before I pulled out of serious on line play. Nice post WJL

[MMagicM]

There was a discussion about freerolls in the Beginners forum a while ago:

Strategy for Freeroll's?

IMO, don't waste your time with freerolls! The 18 or 45 player tourneys for $1 on Full Tilt and Stars are the best way to start.

[umistboy]

[ QUOTE ]
There was a discussion about freerolls in the Beginners forum a while ago:

Strategy for Freeroll's?

IMO, don't waste your time with freerolls! The 18 or 45 player tourneys for $1 on Full Tilt and Stars are the best way to start.

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Couldn't agree more. Anyone can find a sng ot mtt that has a low enough buy-in for them. You will only begin to play to your own ability when you play for stakes that mean something to you.

Starting with even the $1 SnG's is infinitely better than freerolls if you are wanting to learn. Just wait til you start winning, too. Then see how you motivation to improve further will rocket.

[BrandiFan]

I think playing freerolls to learn could get you alot of bad habits.
IIRC, penny nl ring games play fairly seriously and are another avenue to consider for improving your game, esp since deepstacked play is one of the major weaknesses of donkamenters.

[ZenMusician]

I agree...do the 1¢ NLHE cash games. Especially on
FT and UB they are much tougher than you would expect,
because I think people are playing with their last
dollar!

-ZEN