Why play freeroll tournaments?
Freerolls are preferred by modest players. Remember that freerolls are not for players who want to improve their playing technique or those looking to have fun playing poker. Only the prize pool is interesting. Generally, there are no winnings in a freeroll. By cons, it is not uncommon for them to provide opportunities to participate in tournaments where the stakes are much more motivating.
You will meet players belonging to the following categories:
- Players who do not care about tournaments
- Players who do not know any poker rules
A freeroll is an opportunity for poker players to break free from the constraints of the game, so do not expect to see spectacular poker games.
The first phase of a freeroll tournament:
The pre-flop
You will find it difficult to determine your opponents to fold during this phase. The chances that you get a very good hand against the flop are average. Therefore, you should expose your "monsters" in this phase of the game regardless of your position and even if a bet was placed before you.
In middle and late position, you will have the opportunity to go all-in with an AQ and JJ combination if no one has raised the bid before you.
If you are in late position, you can play with small pairs (pay only the big blind) and with connectors (similarly colored cards in sequence).
On the flop
Fold if you have not cashed in. Stay in the game only if you have two pairs or better! Also bet if the jackpot is large and if you have a flush or straight (on both sides)!
Bet if you have high pairs (the highest card in your hand and the flop) and if there are only two opponents in front of you (or one, of course)! By cons, bet with caution if there are more than two.
The late phase
This phase starts when players have an average of 20-25 blinds. In this case, you have to raise or fold. If an opponent raises before or after you and your hand is strong, call it!
Watch out for stacks: Make sure you have strong cards because otherwise, you will lose your stack.
Be careful if you are facing big stacks that you could be eliminated from the tournament. Poker tournaments strategies are different from cash games. Refrain from playing against them unless of course, you have a very strong hand.
Do not make unnecessary bets and save your chips.
The pre-flop
Raise four big blinds with strong hands - AA, KK, QQ, JJ and AK - in early position. If another player has already raised the bet, follow.
If you have three times the big blind with an AQ or AJ combination, fold. The same holds true if you consider that the amount of the carpet is too large or if you notice that one or more players have placed an ante bet before you.
In middle position, you can add 99 and 10 and you can re-raise.
So, remember: Raise in pre-flop and then restart, depending on the position. Fold if you have an AQ or AJ combination.
On the flop
The hands are arbitrary on the flop. The pot is often significant and you cannot change your mind if you have bet too much.
If you raise on the pre-flop and if there is only one opponent left in the game, you can win half the pot.
Re-raise if you have a high pair or more. The same goes for flush draws.
Act the same way if you have nothing, but hold two cards of a value above that of the cards on the table (also known as community cards).
The long awaited moment has arrived: The final phase!
The final phase
Be happy when you reach this stage because this is not consistent with each party. Now you calculate the payouts without forgetting those who helped you arrive in this final stage.
Behave the same way in the finals as you did in the late phase.
However, focus on your position at the table in the final stages. Bet to win the jackpot when no one has been paid out before you. You will often get the chance to collect the bet if you make the first move (bet).
As for the re-launch of the early and mid-table, remember that they are often in possession of a hand. If there is a raise in early position and when you are in possession of the combinations AA, KK, QQ, JJ, AK, then you should raise, too.
Do the same at the mid-table by adding AQ, 9-9 and a pair of tens.