Basic Poker Strategy in Freeroll Tournaments
by Bodog Poker | Mar 9 2011
More on playing in freeroll tournaments and how to keep your game going.
Our poker strategy articles at Bodog have covered a lot of topics and we've gotten a great response to our discussion bout freeroll tournaments - turns out a lot of you enjoy them and wanted to know how to get through those tough opening stages that can often be like a free-for-all! If you've been using the advice we gave previously.
Open Up - Play More Hands
When you hit the point in the tournament where the deadwood has been hacked away, you'll want to expand your playable hands. Being a bit more aggressive before the flop and playing hands like KJ, QJ, AJ and A10 can help you sweep a few pots and even get in on real action if you manage to play your cards right. You've got to remember that the goal is to really get your hands on as many of the other players' chips while keeping your own safely under your control.
Don't Worry - Don't Panic
It's difficult, but if you learn to not care about where you stand in the overall chip stack race, you'll play a better game of poker. The stress that players feel when they're not running at the front of the pack can lead to bad decisions and even if you're behind the median, poker's a game where patience can benefit you more than hurt. Wait for the right cards to come and then use them to your advantage. Play aggressively when you can, though.
Bluffing - Keep It Simple
As you move towards the final stages of any freeroll and get closer to the bubble, you're going to have to bluff on occasion. That's just a fact of the game. Here's the thing, though - semi-bluffing is out-and-out better than bluffing outright. You'll have outs on your side. Just make sure that stay conservative with your betting unless you have a real handle on things. You may end up losing a hand and you don't want to be hobbled too badly. Yes, it can seem complicated, but the fact is that the middle rounds in any tournament are a minefield for players that don't keep on their toes.
Employ Risk Management - Don't Be Too Tight
It's easy to understand why so many players can be a bit freaked out by the middle stages in a freeroll tournament and even withdraw entirely from any kind of play unless things are guaranteed, but it's better to be betted out of a table instead of having the blinds eat you alive. At least by betting and being beaten, you've gone down fighting.
Play your next freeroll tournament at Bodog Poker. Be a Player.
