| Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Preparation.
Before you start, you need to ask yourself two questions:
1. Do I want to win, or just to kill my free time?
It's very important to mentally prepare your self for winning. If your answer is to kill a free time, don't bother -
you'll waste your precious time and probably won't win.
2. Can I spend 4-6 hours in front of my computer?
Sometimes it takes around 3–6 hours to finish the tournament, depending on the tournament and the number of players.
So, make sure your homework is done, your girlfriend satisfied ;) and nobody will distract you from game at least 3
hours. In my expierence it's best to play at night, when everybody is sleeping and you're much more concentrated on the
game.
OK, let's assume you are ready. Go get yourself a cup of coffee and let's get started!
First hour.
The first hour is generally where most everyone will be going all in with any two cards. The trick is - DON'T GET
INVOLVED! (except maybe if you have AA or KK). But keep in mind that even AA or KK are losing hands preflop. The more
people are involved, the more risk you take and your AA might be easily cracked by two pair, set, straight or a flush.
Don't rush your self, let the donks to fight out each other in the first hour.
If you're new to freerolls, I suggest you to fold everything except premium pairs (A's, K's, Q's) or AK, AQ suited and
play very aggresively to extract as much money as you can.
I personally like to play a bit aggresively with any connected, suited and premium hands. In this situation my goal is
to see as much cheap flops as I can. If I hit - I bet big, if i miss - i bet small (the minimum amount) or check/fold.
"The winning freeroll secret is to increase your amount of chips at the beginning of the tournament."
As tournament progress, you will find yourself being moved to other tables frequently. Take your time at the new table
to adjust and observe your opponents. Try to avoid maniacs and sharks. Don't get involved with them, otherwise you may
get into some big trouble. You don't want to finish the tournament in the first hour, aren't you? Your goal is to
extract as much money as you can in the first hour, so find yourself weak/bad online poker players to do so.
Second hour.
Once you've made it to hour two and you have good chips it's time for you to play tight passive game. Wait for good
hands to come and play them wisely.
Trust me, your opponents will react
different if you have a deep stack and play very tight (AA, KK, AK, AQ, QQ, KQ). After few solid wins, they will fold
more and limp less when you play. You will take advantage of bad poker players and even if you will miss the flop, your
bluffs will work more effectively. Just don't overdo, you can't have the nuts all the time and they know that.
TIP: I've recently found myself folding fair hands in the late positions if there is a lot of limpers in front of me.
Rememeber - the more people involved, the more chances to lose. Save your chips for a better situation.
"Patience is key to lasting in freerolls."
Game near payout position.
While reaching near the payouts position, you will see many players switch to defensive mode. Their goal is one - to
get inside the payouts position. In this state they all probably gonna fold except the big blind and the small blind.
If you're serious about winning the freeroll, that is the excellent time for you to strike again and build up your
stack. If you're on the button I highly recommend you to raise 2-3 times the big blind almost every time. There is a
big chance that the small blind and the big blind will fold.
Another great tip: if you have short stack caller preflop. Raise him ALL IN when the flop hits. 8 of 10 times he will
fold, except maybe if he really hits something. But it's worth to risk, because the anties and the blinds are high.
In case you are short stacked.
Let's say you are short stacked and have only 6-8 big blinds left. My advice: fold every hand except TT, JJ, QQ, KK,
AK, AA and push ALL IN preflop. I guarantee that this strategy will help you at least to reach the payout position.
Think of this, Your opponents is concerned to reach payout positions at any cost and at this state they will fold
almost all hands to any raise, so ALL IN will look much scarier to them. 80% they will fold, except maybe if they have
a very good hand. So, if they fold - you get anties and blinds. If someone calls you - there is a chance for you to
double up and get anties+blinds. If someone calls and in some point you lose - well you were short stacked anyway,
your days were counted. Remember if you won't take any actions, you will eventually lose. That's what deep stack players
are waiting for (to get rid of short stackers and get to the payout positions).
You are inside payout position.
Once You are inside the payout position, I suggest you to hang around till you reach the final table. At this point I
like to play only when I'm big or a small blind.
Once your opponents reached the payout position, after 2 hour marathon many players will simply give up and take their
money or will try to take more risk and speed up the game. Allow them to fight out each other... Be patient, you are here
to win the tournament.
TIP: Once you are near the final table - DON'T GO ALL IN at any cost! It's not the best time for you to waste your
chips at this state of tournament. I have lost too many games by doing this and after I lost half of my chips,
it was hard to take it back.
The Final Table.
Congratutalionts you've reached the final table! It's time for you to get another cup of coffee and prepare your self
for a long run. At this point all I can suggest is PLAY YOUR BEST GAME! Good Luck!
For more tips from the pros, head to FullTilt Poker Academy.
|
 |
|
