nelomec
Visionary
Bronze Level
I think it depends on the type of freeroll you're playing. In freerolls with over 500 players, it's really difficult to learn much. Usually, these freerolls are turbo-heavy and have little play time, so players practically play without strategies and play whatever hand they're dealt.
But in freerolls with fewer than 100 players, you can learn something. The variance is lower, and there are strategies from some players who really want to reach the money.
monkeytilter
Legend
Platinum Level
Yes you can learn some basics in freerolls, like good starting hand selection, what a hands to get it in with etc, managing your stack vs the rising blinds.
However there are limitations as most people are playing 'just don't care bingo', so you won't be doing much bluffing (not a terrible thing - stick to getting value for your made hands, that should be the main part of your game in poker anyway) and try to avoid crazy multiway all-ins (unless you have a premium hands)
Freerolls should teach you the value of patience and not to get frustrated against terrible plays that just get there.
However there are limitations as most people are playing 'just don't care bingo', so you won't be doing much bluffing (not a terrible thing - stick to getting value for your made hands, that should be the main part of your game in poker anyway) and try to avoid crazy multiway all-ins (unless you have a premium hands)
Freerolls should teach you the value of patience and not to get frustrated against terrible plays that just get there.
K
Kasztor007
Enthusiast
Silver Level
I actually started the same way — freerolls were my first “training ground.”
They’re not great for learning
You learn to control tilt when some random Q7o cracks your AA 😅 — and that’s a real skill for later stages.
Once you can stay calm and keep playing solid after that, you’re already improving.
They’re not great for learning
You learn to control tilt when some random Q7o cracks your AA 😅 — and that’s a real skill for later stages.
Once you can stay calm and keep playing solid after that, you’re already improving.
T
tuitui
Enthusiast
Silver Level
I have been warned about playing only freerolls, but I feel like at least on the site I'm playing in it is worth playing the daily free rolls. Of course there are people who understand nothing about the game, but you just take their chips. There are plenty of regular player who have some sort of level in their game, though you see all sorts of moves you don't see elsewhere. 
As for the huge free rolls, well, I play them and at some point of the game it starts to feel normal even the start is just nonsense.
As for the huge free rolls, well, I play them and at some point of the game it starts to feel normal even the start is just nonsense.
M
my_world_myway9
Enthusiast
Silver Level
I play freerolls for experience with different player types and how to deal with them. Learning patience and anger management ( an issue for me, tilt control). It can wear on your mental health a bit depending on if you are easily triggered by idiots? Personally I have gained growth in my own game, at least I think so. I dont think it will hurt you, it's a good way to get experience without risking or losing real money.
Best of luck and let us know how it goes... 🫣
R
Ruinkind
Enthusiast
Silver Level
To train starting hands, sure.
To train bet patterns, proper bluffs, ranges according to bets, absolutely not. At least until you're late/deep, there will be many surprises. You're going to have to pay extra attention to people in freerolls, in my humble opinion. I suppose in that same sense, its great for discipline training, and paying enough attention to gauge their strength.
Feel free to play proper poker, especially when you feel like the player has some game knowledge, but don't be surprised by the many surprises waiting in freerolls or super-micros.
Don't fall into the trap of chasing rainbows after you just seen a fish win, its a tournament, play your ABC's until you learn your XYZ's.
If you're short, respect the strength of your hand, and judge their bets according to your game knowledge of them.
To train bet patterns, proper bluffs, ranges according to bets, absolutely not. At least until you're late/deep, there will be many surprises. You're going to have to pay extra attention to people in freerolls, in my humble opinion. I suppose in that same sense, its great for discipline training, and paying enough attention to gauge their strength.
Feel free to play proper poker, especially when you feel like the player has some game knowledge, but don't be surprised by the many surprises waiting in freerolls or super-micros.
Don't fall into the trap of chasing rainbows after you just seen a fish win, its a tournament, play your ABC's until you learn your XYZ's.
If you're short, respect the strength of your hand, and judge their bets according to your game knowledge of them.
dreamer13
Legend
Loyaler
Freerolls are worth playing when you're a beginner, to get your hand in and practice. With a little luck and good play, you can make a couple hundred for further play. Beyond that, they're a waste of time, not to mention more expensive freerolls starting at at least $200.
W
wushibala
Rock Star
Platinum Level
I doubt you’ll really learn anything there. If you want to improve, you need to play micro-stakes — that’s at least somewhat close to real poker, the kind that people play at mid-stakes in both cash games and MTTs.
F
fletchdad
Legend
Loyaler
FRs are a lot of "jam and hope". There is no strategy there. In that case, jam with any feasable hand and fold the rest.
But you can find yourself in a lot of situations where you can learn reading players. Even fish will start to play with "strategy" when they get deep. So, IMHO, in FRs you can start to read players tendancies when you get deep. To a certain extent.
Of course, when you play against a player who is betting their own BR, it does change a lot. So playing for real money is the only way to really learn. And, I mean, why else do most serious players play?
I think FRs are good if you have no BR and want to try and build one. But small stakes for real money is where you need to start playing poker as opposed to FRs, so if you can afford a small BR at a poker site, you will learn (and lose) much quicker.
But you can find yourself in a lot of situations where you can learn reading players. Even fish will start to play with "strategy" when they get deep. So, IMHO, in FRs you can start to read players tendancies when you get deep. To a certain extent.
Of course, when you play against a player who is betting their own BR, it does change a lot. So playing for real money is the only way to really learn. And, I mean, why else do most serious players play?
I think FRs are good if you have no BR and want to try and build one. But small stakes for real money is where you need to start playing poker as opposed to FRs, so if you can afford a small BR at a poker site, you will learn (and lose) much quicker.