Dissatisfied with GG weekly freerolls

[hjuosh]

Last year it was 'Pokerstars is scam.' 'Pokerstars is going out of business' because they stopped handing out freerolls to private affiliates... no more freerolls (even though they still have some very easy to qualify for 'free' stuff you can get via Powerpath route)

A year later, now it's GGPoker is scam. Because they're only giving out $100k/week to players who have to do practically nothing to qualify for it.
Newsflash -
You do understand that the site is making an effort to get more players playing on the site. It's not their aim to just give out free money to players who never even play on their tables & buyin tournaments. They are trying to generate interest.... traffic.
imo, they should put a requirement on every single dollar that is won via a freeroll, that it needs to be cleared after generating a certain % in rake.
ie. If you were to win $100 from freerolls or a freeroll promotion, you should have to play with that money until you have paid 20% ($20) in rake to clear it (at minimum... maybe even 50% would be best). OR only pay out in T$'s.

Honestly, I think pokerstars forgot something important.
I used to win money on PS — just like I do now on GG — starting only with the free stuff they gave away. But now, it’s really hard for me to feel motivated to keep playing on PS.

As I mentioned, GG’s daily freebies let me keep studying in a real scenario, with a real chance to earn some money. Of course, I lose everything sometimes — but the money comes back through the same platform. GG gives me space to learn, experiment, and keep coming back every day to try again.

It used to be the same on PS, until they removed that opportunity. Now I only visit PS a few times a week, not daily like before, when they offered more ways to play using just free rewards.

Obviously, it’s very hard for anyone to build a poker career starting only with freebies — maybe one person in a million. But GG lets you try, and that’s why so many people play there every day. PS forgot how important it is to keep people coming back to the platform.

 

[MAFNL16061986]

sadly they changed it

 

[fundiver199]

Honestly, I think PokerStars forgot something important.
I used to win money on PS — just like I do now on GG — starting only with the free stuff they gave away. But now, it’s really hard for me to feel motivated to keep playing on PS.

As I mentioned, GG’s daily freebies let me keep studying in a real scenario, with a real chance to earn some money. Of course, I lose everything sometimes — but the money comes back through the same platform. GG gives me space to learn, experiment, and keep coming back every day to try again.

It used to be the same on PS, until they removed that opportunity. Now I only visit PS a few times a week, not daily like before, when they offered more ways to play using just free rewards.

Obviously, it’s very hard for anyone to build a poker career starting only with freebies — maybe one person in a million. But GG lets you try, and that’s why so many people play there every day. PS forgot how important it is to keep people coming back to the platform.

It seems like you completely missed the point, which Poker Orifice was trying to make. Which is, that sites dont make any kind of promotions in order to get more people to play for free. They make these promotions in the hope of making more people deposit and pay to play, because this is the only way, the sites can make money.

So its not a "loss" to PokerStars, if you play there less often, if you never deposited and spend you own money anyway. And at the same time its not a gain for GG Poker, if you go there more often, if its only to collect the daily freebie and perhaps spend the money, you win from these. They only gain something, when you deposit and spend your own money to play.

 

[hjuosh]

It seems like you completely missed the point, which Poker Orifice was trying to make. Which is, that sites dont make any kind of promotions in order to get more people to play for free. They make these promotions in the hope of making more people deposit and pay to play, because this is the only way, the sites can make money.

So its not a "loss" to PokerStars, if you play there less often, if you never deposited and spend you own money anyway. And at the same time its not a gain for GG Poker, if you go there more often, if its only to collect the daily freebie and perhaps spend the money, you win from these. They only gain something, when you deposit and spend your own money to play

You’re right — I understand that poker sites run promotions mainly to encourage deposits, not just to give away free money. And I agree: from a business perspective, they only profit when players actually deposit and spend their own money.

But my point wasn’t about whether they make money directly from me. It’s about how those small freebies can create engagement, build habits, and eventually lead some players (maybe not all) to deposit in the future. In my case, GG’s daily rewards keep me active, studying, and emotionally invested. That kind of long-term engagement has value — even if it doesn’t convert immediately.

PokerStars used to do the same, and it worked. I was visiting daily, interacting with the platform, and even considering depositing. But when they cut back on those opportunities, my motivation dropped. So while I may not be a “paying” customer yet, I’m part of the ecosystem — and I think platforms benefit from keeping that door open.

 

[hjuosh]

But just to clarify: PokerStars did get me to deposit. I had to make a deposit in order to withdraw my winnings from the freebies. At one point, I even built up to $800 just from those promotions and playing cash and some tourneys — and I played it all back on the site. So that money cycled back into the ecosystem, which is actually EV+ for PokerStars in the long run.

Think about it: that $800 likely came from a depositing player. I won it, then lost it back into the pool. That same player (or others) will probably deposit again to chase their losses. So even though I started with free money, I became part of the revenue cycle — and that’s exactly what smart promotions are designed to do.

GG Poker is doing that well right now. They keep me engaged daily, and that engagement increases the chance that I’ll deposit again in the future. It’s not just about immediate profit — it’s about building a habit and a relationship with the platform.

 

[Mario7]

The issue isn’t frequency—it’s how the wheel spins! Tell me, why is a frequency attached if the wheel is supposed to spin randomly, as it should? They should provide actual statistics, not probabilities! Probabilities make sense in RNG-based games like poker.

This clearly shows the wheel spins according to a programmed algorithm. It’s an illusion—just like online roulette and slot machines! Trust what I’m telling you.

Of course the wheel is not real - it is just some graphic - and you are right, it is the same in online roulette and slot machines, BUT also with the cards
Obviosuly, the algorythm works, gives the result according to given probabilities and after that we receive the result. Obviously, to achive given probabilities (like about 47/100 for x2 multiplayer vs 5/100000000 for x40K multiplayer) the wheel cannot move in phisycal, natural way. It just just a moving graphic. And as I said , I do not find it quite fair, not smart - it let pople complain it is "rigged" just because of it's nature. I am personally the realist, I just do not expect to hit x40K multiplayer, just because it stands on the picture. So for me, it is nothing to complain about. I look at numbers and it is much more possible I'll be hit by lighting several times in my life than hit this multiplayer just once

 

[CDNMAN 42]

A scam is a scam , dont make this post like i need some poker lessons , this is completely besides the point .

In case you didn't know this is the definition of a scam. "A scam is any means someone uses to get you to part with your money." seeing you are concerned about a FREEROLL being a scam? Huh?

 

[Brigistul]

In case you didn't know this is the definition of a scam. "A scam is any means someone uses to get you to part with your money." seeing you are concerned about a FREEROLL being a scam? Huh?

This isn’t about freerolls! It’s real-money Spin&Gold — starting from $3 and up!

 

[Brigistul]

Of course the wheel is not real - it is just some graphic - and you are right, it is the same in online roulette and slot machines, BUT also with the cards
Obviosuly, the algorythm works, gives the result according to given probabilities and after that we receive the result. Obviously, to achive given probabilities (like about 47/100 for x2 multiplayer vs 5/100000000 for x40K multiplayer) the wheel cannot move in phisycal, natural way. It just just a moving graphic. And as I said , I do not find it quite fair, not smart - it let pople complain it is "rigged" just because of it's nature. I am personally the realist, I just do not expect to hit x40K multiplayer, just because it stands on the picture. So for me, it is nothing to complain about. I look at numbers and it is much more possible I'll be hit by lighting several times in my life than hit this multiplayer just once

Well done, Mario7! You’re one of the players who truly understands what’s going on behind what we see! It’s an illusion that draws in many players...

 

[Rosylly]

idk what to think since i have a little time for a poker right now and wasn't able to see what's going on with those freerolls, but MTT freerolls with big prizes are what i've been waiting for a long time from GG.

but, yeah, i see that a lot of people aren't satisfied with those freerolls at this time...

 

[Robbie1583]

Too bad now the title has been altered by moderator even though it is fitting , it would have generated less reactions i guess .

 

[Robbie1583]

In case you didn't know this is the definition of a scam. "A scam is any means someone uses to get you to part with your money." seeing you are concerned about a FREEROLL being a scam? Huh?

A conman telling me what a scam is , come on !

Then this freeroll is not a total freeroll as i had to play real money games for daily tickets and 1 day i play over 1000 hands .
So in week 1 i put time and effort and money in and i got 4 weekly tickets .
Then without any info beforehand they changed the prizes and distribution in a big way , that is just a big nerf to this series of weekly freerolls .
This is why i maintain i should be granted the right to call this a scam if this is my opinion .

 

[Robbie1583]

@Tammy
Could we please get a thread title change? This one is extremely inaccurate & surely it doesn't reflect the majority of the CC forum who not only like the site but also APPRECIATE the CC freerolls on GG (I don't play them but I'm sure that those who do really appreciate them)

Its almost im not entitled to my own opinion , then i like to use my own words .
I think everything when look at the facts in within bounderies .

 

[Robbie1583]

Title of thread needs to be changed.
Here are some suggestions:

"GG still not a scam - - they are giving away money for FREE!"

or
'Underage poker player has temper tantrum... wants easier access to free money'

'GG tries to make it extremely easy to qualify for FREE MONEY & yet they still complain about it'

'Payout frequencies for SPINS is explained in great detail. CC member chooses to ignore the detailed response, instead letting us know how highly educated he is while putting his focus on how the payout wheel seems to get stuck right at the big money payout... (BUT THEN THEY MAKE IT MOVE!!!'

-- for the freerolls i complained about , i had to play real money games to get these tickets .
-- I am over 50
-- I feel i have the right to be critical when they nerf this series of weekly freerolls during the event after one week without any info beforehand .

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

This isn’t about freerolls! It’s real-money Spin&Gold — starting from $3 and up!

No the thread was originally about freerolls on GG and to this topic he answered to 😅 wrong again, wrong wrong wrong....

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

-- for the freerolls i complained about , i had to play real money games to get these tickets .
-- I am over 50
-- I feel i have the right to be critical when they nerf this series of weekly freerolls during the event after one week without any info beforehand .

You sound extremely dissatisfied so the thread title is more than accurate imo.

U cant really expect others to follow if you missuse words. And especially not if u missuse them by creating a thread on a public forum. The definition of a scam is not given here, read through all the answers again.

 

[Mario7]

Well done, Mario7! You’re one of the players who truly understands what’s going on behind what we see! It’s an illusion that draws in many players...

I bet it's obvious to everyone after playing several spin games

 

[Poker Orifice]

Honestly, I think PokerStars forgot something important.
I used to win money on PS — just like I do now on GG — starting only with the free stuff they gave away. But now, it’s really hard for me to feel motivated to keep playing on PS.

As I mentioned, GG’s daily freebies let me keep studying in a real scenario, with a real chance to earn some money. Of course, I lose everything sometimes — but the money comes back through the same platform. GG gives me space to learn, experiment, and keep coming back every day to try again.

It used to be the same on PS, until they removed that opportunity. Now I only visit PS a few times a week, not daily like before, when they offered more ways to play using just free rewards.

Obviously, it’s very hard for anyone to build a poker career starting only with freebies — maybe one person in a million. But GG lets you try, and that’s why so many people play there every day. PS forgot how important it is to keep people coming back to the platform.

You're not describing me (& many others, although you wouldn't know it while visiting what this forum has turned into).
The very first day I played online poker I deposited on two sites, Pokerstars & Fulltilt, $150 & $175. I intuitively followed good bankroll management, rarely playing above $2 buyin for MTT &/or SnG's (until I could afford $5 & $10, etc.). I also played in some freerolls but back then the freerolls & promotional freerolls were very juicy (was normal to have multiple thousands in promotional freerolls, depositor freerolls, new depositor, etc. etc.). And there were dozens of great sites to play on... and so I deposited on many of them as well. These games weren't my main goals even then. I was more geared towards Private tournaments, leaderboard contests and trying to play above the micros where the games are better & more exciting albeit a bit tougher competition.

Life circumstances got in the way of myself pursuing things further and I actually had to steer almost completely away from playing Tournaments. Had things been different, I would've hoped I'd have been playing $33 to $109's+ today, instead of 25nl cash (& 10nl late at night if there's not enough traffic) with hopes of playing in MTT's above $11 to $33.

I would be playing on Pokerstars right now (22:30 where I live), if they weren't down for a 5 hour update. I can go on the site pretty much any hour of the day and play for as little or as long as I want and 4 out of 5 times I have a winning session (I can go on there and win a few dollars whenever I want). So for me, Pokerstars hasn't failed me at all. (although I do wish they hadn't made the huge blunders they did in the past when they got rid of the Supernova Rewards program as I believe that & some other similar decisions caused their site to go downhill (not the loss of freerolls).

I think many of you CC members who seem to be hooked on solely playing the freerolls, could take some more time to study and try to improve so that you could play the micros (& beyond) and enjoy playing poker anytime you want to, and even make some money while doing so (maybe even a lot of money... some dedicated folks are doing just that)

 

[Poker Orifice]

You’re right — I understand that poker sites run promotions mainly to encourage deposits, not just to give away free money. And I agree: from a business perspective, they only profit when players actually deposit and spend their own money.

But my point wasn’t about whether they make money directly from me. It’s about how those small freebies can create engagement, build habits, and eventually lead some players (maybe not all) to deposit in the future. In my case, GG’s daily rewards keep me active, studying, and emotionally invested. That kind of long-term engagement has value — even if it doesn’t convert immediately.

PokerStars used to do the same, and it worked. I was visiting daily, interacting with the platform, and even considering depositing. But when they cut back on those opportunities, my motivation dropped. So while I may not be a “paying” customer yet, I’m part of the ecosystem — and I think platforms benefit from keeping that door open.

Obviously it didn't work... you never deposited and instead have gone elsewhere and not depositing there either.

Did you stop to consider that perhaps Pokerstars marketing team decided after doing a lot of research, that it was no longer in THEIR best interest to give out freeroll cash to players who have no intention of depositing on the site.

 

[up not down]

It seems to me that when you go to GGPoker Spin-and-gold with the Freebie ticket, it gives you the lowest multiplier.

If you go with cash, it's fair spin.

Am I wrong? Just observing as a beginner GGPoker user.

 

[Collie2022]

On a spin and go table with GGisaScam

 

[Mario7]

Obviously it didn't work... you never deposited and instead have gone elsewhere and not depositing there either.

Did you stop to consider that perhaps Pokerstars marketing team decided after doing a lot of research, that it was no longer in THEIR best interest to give out freeroll cash to players who have no intention of depositing on the site.

But just to clarify: PokerStars did get me to deposit. I had to make a deposit in order to withdraw my winnings from the freebies. At one point, I even built up to $800 just from those promotions and playing cash and some tourneys — and I played it all back on the site. So that money cycled back into the ecosystem, which is actually EV+ for PokerStars in the long run.

Just my 2 cc here. Even if a player does not deposit a penny, but keeps playing freerols, winning sometimes and playing for money won, as hjuosh did, this is profit for poker room - they earn rake from every game.

 

[ms_attack]

It seems to me that when you go to GGPoker Spin-and-gold with the Freebie ticket, it gives you the lowest multiplier.

If you go with cash, it's fair spin.

Am I wrong? Just observing as a beginner GGPoker user.

No its not correct, i had a lot of x10 Spins with the daily freebie ticket.

 

[ms_attack]

Just my 2 cc here. Even if a player does not deposit a penny, but keeps playing freerols, winning sometimes and playing for money won, as hjuosh did, this is profit for poker room - they earn rake from every game.

I see it the same way; poker sites earn their money through rake, regardless of whether you won the money through freerolls beforehand. So, if you continue to wager the money and don't withdraw what you won from freerolls, and remain consistently active on their site, you'll be a profitable player for the poker site in the long run.

 

[ms_attack]

Regarding the general discussion about whether tickets or cash are awarded, it is and remains a freeroll where you can win something for free. So, in my opinion, it's not a scam. The €100,000 prize pool hasn't changed; only the payout method has. Sure, tickets might not be ideal for some players, but with a bit of luck, you can still win a big cash prize with them. And you get to play in tournaments you wouldn't otherwise have. I think we shouldn't be so pessimistic; everything has its pros and cons.

Imagine you won a package to the Bahamas with the ticket from the freeroll, would you still be complaining about it so much?