Freerolls
What are Poker Freerolls?
Poker freerolls are exactly what they sound like, a free shot at making some money. They are tournaments that are free to enter, but award prizes all the same.
Freerolls are a way for players to engage in poker tournaments without any financial commitment, but they are not the same as play money tournaments, as they have prizes with actual value attached to them.
Such tournaments allow you to compete for real money or prizes, making them particularly appealing to both new and seasoned players looking to boost their bankrolls.
With no entry fees, freerolls provide a risk-free environment to practice strategies, build confidence, gain experience and if you’re lucky, win some real money.
Freerolls operate similarly to traditional poker tournaments, where players begin with a stack of chips and compete until one player remains.
Prizes can vary significantly, ranging from cash rewards to tournament entries and other incentives, depending on the hosting platform.
Freeroll Restrictions
There are several different types of freeroll and while they are free to enter by definition, not all of them are simply open to anyone to play. Many are private, or have qualifying criterion in order to play, such as making a deposit, finishing in the top 100 places on a leaderboard, competing in a tournament series or completing a promotional mission.
Examples of restrictions that can be placed on freerolls:
- Loyalty Points: Some freerolls require players to accumulate a specific number of loyalty points before they can register.
- Account Verification: Players may need to verify their accounts by providing identification or proof of residence to participate.
- Deposit Requirements: Certain freerolls are only accessible to players who have made a deposit within a specified timeframe.
Where to Find Freerolls
The vast majority of online poker sites don’t have a section of their poker clients entitled ‘freerolls,’ that would be too easy. Instead, most sites list freerolls in relevant sections of their clients, often within the main tournament lobby. The easiest way to find them is via search or filter, depending on what options the site you are using provides.
Simply type ‘freeroll’ into the search bar of the lobby and see what you can find. Alternatively, some sites have advanced filtering options, which enable you to easily find any available freerolls to play.
Types of Poker Freeroll
Freerolls serve lots of different purposes for online poker operators. Essentially they are an engagement tool that offers something of value to eligible players. Here are some common types of freeroll you will find:
- Sign Up/Welcome Bonus Freerolls
- Deposit/Redeposit Freerolls
- Open Freerolls
- Satellite Freerolls
- Freebuys
- Participation Freerolls
- Reward Freerolls
- Private Freerolls
- Apology Freerolls
- Champions Freerolls
Sign Up/Welcome Bonus Freerolls
These tournaments are typically offered to new players as part of their welcome package. They often feature large prize pools to attract new participants, helping them get acquainted with the online poker room and its various products.
Deposit/Redeposit Freerolls
These freerolls reward players who make deposits within specific timeframes, incentivizing them to continue playing on the site. They usually have low participation compared to open freerolls, leading to better chances of winning for those who are eligible to enter.
Open Freerolls
As the name suggests, these tournaments have no restrictions on entry, making them accessible to all players. They often attract a large number of participants, creating a lively and competitive atmosphere.
Satellite Freerolls
These tournaments allow players to win entry into larger, often higher-stakes tournaments. They serve as a stepping stone for players looking to compete at a higher level, providing an exciting opportunity to advance in their poker journey.
Freebuys
In these tournaments, players can enter for free but have the option to buy additional chips during the event. This format can lead to larger prize pools and more competitive play, as players can enhance their chances of winning.
However, most offer very low initial starting chip stacks, encouraging players to add chips with their own funds.
Freebuys are best avoided by those looking for a truly free poker experience, as they tend to favour the players who can boost their stacks with rebuys and add-ons.
Participation Freerolls
These tournaments are designed to reward players for simply taking part in a promotion or a tournament series. For example, all players who play in the WSOP Online at GG Poker, have the opportunity to take part in continental freerolls whenever a player from their continent wins a bracelet.
Reward Freerolls
Exclusive to loyal players, these tournaments often feature enhanced prizes and are designed to thank players for their continued support and engagement with the site. Often they are linked to VIP status, with weekly or monthly tournaments for players who achieve specific rank within a poker site’s loyalty club.
Private Freerolls
These tournaments are limited to specific groups, such as members of a poker community or forum. These are usually not open to you, unless you are a member of a specific forum or group that is running one. If you are invited to a private freeroll, you will be informed on how to enter and any passwords required.
Apology Freerolls
Those can be offered by online poker sites as compensation for technical issues or service outages. For example, of a big tournament is cancelled during the running of it, sites sometimes run a freeroll as form of apology to affected players.
Champions Freerolls
Exclusive tournaments for players who have won or performed well in events. This kind of freeroll is more commonly seen in live poker environment, such as the WSOP Tournament of Champions, to which WSOP bracelet holders and WSOPC ring winners are invited.
How to Approach a Freeroll
While freerolls offer a risk-free opportunity to play poker, succeeding in these tournaments requires a strategic approach. In the early stages, prioritize playing tight and avoid impulsive all-ins, as many inexperienced players will be making reckless decisions.
As the tournament progresses, shift to a more aggressive strategy in the middle stages, exploiting opponents' weaknesses and taking advantage of their impatience.
On the bubble, look for spots to bluff effectively, but exercise caution and only attempt it when you have a strong read on your opponents.
By employing these strategies and adapting to the unique dynamics of freerolls, you can improve your chances of cashing out and building your poker skills without financial risk.
In summary, freerolls are an essential aspect of the online poker experience, allowing players to hone their skills and potentially earn rewards without any financial risk. There are many different types of freeroll and some that are open to all players, with no commitment or deposit required to participate.
You might have to do a bit of sleuthing on poker sites to find freerolls, but that is what the search bar and tournament filters are there for. There’s free money to be had if you look carefully for it.
Freerolls FAQs
What are freerolls in poker?
Freerolls are poker tournaments that award prizes but are free to enter
Where can I find the best freerolls?
Most poker sites offer freerolls, both to new players and existing customers, but you may have to search to find them, as they won't always be easily sign posted in poker sites
Where can I find the biggest freerolls?
Online poker sites like GG Poker and other big rooms are the best places to look for freerolls with big prizes. Generally, the bigger the poker site, the bigger the freerolls.
