Do freerolls really help you improve as a poker player?

Baco · Oct 6, 2025

I’ve been playing freerolls almost every day to practice, but sometimes they feel too wild.
Do you think freerolls are good for developing real poker skills, or should I focus more on studying strategy and ranges?

perrywh · Oct 6, 2025

Do both!

MK_ · Oct 6, 2025

I think if you're hoping to really learn poker and the math of the game I think doing some study away from the table

can help you learn a lot more than just playing👍

recerveau · Oct 6, 2025

Absolutely. You just have to keep in mind the specific type of freeroll players.

schtiuky · Oct 7, 2025

Yes, I take freerolls as a challenge and i try to get used to the pressure of playing your cards when every 5th hand is a all in, on the bubble I experience some bad beats, on final tables learned to be aggressive/ and its consequences They sure learn you something if your beginner if not don't think so.

dreamer13 · Oct 7, 2025

It's like hands-on training where beginners can test their knowledge without the fear of losing money.

rhoudini · Oct 7, 2025

Freerolls helped me sharpen my short-stack play big time. Since stacks are often shallow and blinds go up fast, you’re constantly in push/fold spots. That forced me to study ICM and preflop ranges more seriously. It’s not glamorous poker, but if you can master survival mode, you’ll be way more confident in real tourneys when the pressure’s on, that's for sure! The main thing is that you need to play them conciously that you are not a pro. They are a tool to help, not the final end.

veszmo · Oct 7, 2025

I think up to a certain level, if you want to be an MTT player. There are some really good freeroll tournaments. However, there is a big difference between tournaments and cash games.

Prophet · Oct 7, 2025

Related to this community , if you play silver or platinum free-buys , you can improve your game... but the bronze tournament it's just bingo, where players shove with any 2 cards, and hard to win a hand or put someone on a range, which can be from 72off to AA.
If you are interested in MTTs you can just play the top 20% hands as a healthy exercise

tabaskichhh · Oct 7, 2025

yes, you can improve your skills there, but you don't need to take them as a basis, people there don't know anything about ITM ICM

monkeytilter · Oct 7, 2025

You will only go so far learning with freerolls and they can introduce serious flaws into game as you get used to playing against:
calling stations (and you make bets you shouldn't vs. better players);
maniacs (and you end up calling too much and never learn to make good folds).

There is no reason why you shouldn't master your ranges in freerolls, but strategies will be limited to simple value based plays and no complex bluffs (as few villains are making good folds).

machinm19 · Oct 9, 2025

They are great for learning the basics and you can also experiment with different ranges etc. You can try playing as a maniac, tight, whatever you like it’s free! I love playing them personally they are great fun.

Flyer35 · Oct 9, 2025

At first, freerolls help a brand new player get the feel of poker. But beyond that, they're a hindrance more than an asset (UNLESS your goal is simply to play freerolls forever).

Playing against whimsical players who have no skin in the game does not help you learn how to play against serious players who calculate how to play every hand.

Kaaskop63 · Oct 11, 2025

Freerolls are different then cashgames. I think i need another strategy.

hilary antonik filho · Oct 11, 2025

Everything is great: Freerolls, MTTs, studying, and in-person.
What you need is to have specific times for each.
What's the best time for Freerolls?
For studying?
Go to poker houses.
And MTTs?
I prefer Freerolls in the afternoon.
Study and analysis in the evening.
In-person on Mondays (afternoon) or Fridays (early afternoon, 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm). Player activity increases after that.

Stringy · Oct 11, 2025

theyll be some aspects that you learn from playing, other that you learn when in person and more that you learn when millions is on the line

Noodeloo · Oct 11, 2025

You can certainly learn things playing freerolls and they are good to gain experience alongside studying . Its up to you what to focus your time and attention on though . i would say they can take up a lot of time > freerolls

Tadi · Oct 11, 2025

Baco said:
I’ve been playing freerolls almost every day to practice, but sometimes they feel too wild.
Do you think freerolls are good for developing real poker skills, or should I focus more on studying strategy and ranges?

At the very beginning you can play free tournaments, but you need to educate yourself theoretically. You have the opportunity to take a course on this forum, to learn and perfect your game.

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Fallenglory · Oct 11, 2025

As long as you can diversify freerolls from regular play you are fine. Freerolls are more of a wild west, with a mix of good players and recreational players who will play any two cards. It's probably more comparable to playing poker with play money then micro stakes.

I play when the field is good enough for the prices offered. For instance 50 players for $100,- price pool is great, while 1000 players with the same price pool is a waste, you are better off playing micro stakes then.

chicbulls2 · Oct 11, 2025

not really,a lot of bingo players at every stage of a freeroll tournament, in freerolls you just need luck

gardenwall · Oct 12, 2025

Hey there,
i think its up to your approach. I feel like my MTT game has improved dramatically as these freerolls have allowed me to feel what it's like to run super deep in a large field of entrants, how to play deep stacked, how to play on the bubble, at the final table... etc.
Even if its not for big money, i guess you can learn everywhere if you take it serious.

Have a nice day,
Natox

stil370 · Oct 14, 2025

obrvu700 · Oct 19, 2025

Of course, this is helpful. lf you
can consistently maintain a strong
ranking in freerolls with large player
fields, it is extremely beneficial
for understanding and executing
proper tournament pacing. Moreover,
the act of cashing in these events
greatly contributes to building your
confidence.

flitspaal · Oct 20, 2025

freerolls
early are 90% like "play-chips" (non-monetary) practice versions but with people who actually know a little bit how and what to play. You'll still find a lot of players who'll play any 2 cards regardless of color or number
mid it's people playing a bit safer
late you'll find more people wo are nit and sometimes trap

Mantinhoo · Oct 20, 2025

Freerolls are good for basic practice and getting used to the game flow, but since most players don’t care much, they’re not great for learning real strategy. Try mixing them with studying ranges or playing small-stakes games for better improvement.

Do freerolls really help you improve as a poker player?

Baco

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perrywh

Common sense!

MK_

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recerveau

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schtiuky

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dreamer13

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rhoudini

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veszmo

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Prophet

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tabaskichhh

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monkeytilter

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machinm19

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Flyer35

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Kaaskop63

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hilary antonik filho

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Stringy

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Fallenglory

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