As seen in my previous (poker related) posts, I have been playing mostly online freerolls. It sure is fun, convenient, good training ground and you can even win real money even if you don’t have a real money account. You can even work your way to several MTTs and eventually win a seat to WSOP and stuffs.
But like any other thing on Earth, freerolls also have its own disadvantages. And I am starting to realize some of them. Here’s some that I encountered:
- You can’t believe the aggression you’ll witness on an online freeroll, sometimes it’s already idiotic. They don’t fear anything here. No investment, just their time and bandwidth.
- How would you define a situation when a player goes all in on the first hand (no raise, first deal) and around 4 to 5 other players call? Online freeroll play.
- MTTs are fun. How about a Multi-MTT? Meaning, I am playing four different MTTs from different sites all at the same time. It’s a fun and nerve-wrecking experience all at the same time. Try it, it’s good exercise.
- Since I am already used to #3, I sometimes find myself fidgeting during live play. I may have adjusted my game to be different when it is live from the online freeroll, but what do I do when I already folded? I need to see more hole cards!
- You are home but you are not really there. You are virtually with the 10,000 other players all over the globe playing Hubble’s No-Limit Hold-Em (PokerStars). You see me there sitting in front of the computer shifting from one screen to the other. Don’t try to talk to me ‘coz I would just pretend to understand it. Yeah, maybe sometimes I do. But I am really panicking about my game. So just let me be.
- I tend to rely more on cards now. My poker skills are suffering (if I’ve got any, lol!) I’ve been used to online freerolls that the read you can get is limited. I have specified online freeroll because I noticed that online real money is not that far from a live game, only harder to read people. No tells from them touching their face or shaking hands while pushing chips. But you can still make a read or two.
- Try coming to office with no sleep at all by joining a game that starts at such an ungodly hour at this side of the Earth. Such to get in deep but bust out without a pay. Played a good game in a large field should be enough for now.
- Yeah, time difference is such an ass. I remember joining the first Daniel Negreanu’s Protégé in Full Contact and qualifying for round two. Only thing is, I miscalculated the time and date of round two. I ended up logging in the day after the event. Grrr…
- My computer at home is specifically designed to handle heavy graphics and memory eating software. No, I’m not a graphic artist but I supervise one. I have projects that require some software. But none of those sophisticated software would be found in my computer right now. It is all filled with different poker clients and games. Geez…
- Last but not the least, I’m now more of a Poker Addict than I used to be. With live games, I need a bankroll. With the existence of online freerolls, I can feed my addiction.
Given with these drawbacks, I’d still play online freerolls. Why? It’s free dude! :-)
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5 called my bluff (comments):
Agreed but you can be maximizing your time and skills by winning easily 1000 times more jaz!!
And you get to hone your skills against better players playing real money! Set up an account and take the plunge!
Yup agree with Gamefrog, take the plunge. In fact the entry level tourney's online have the best overlays because they usually have $$$ added to the pot. In the PokerRoom network they used to have a $1 tourney with up to $1000 added to the pot, at Stars they have a $.1 tourney with $50 added. So it's very very affordable...
And yeah that time difference is a bitch, I remember one time I also missed a tourney because I didn't account for Daylight Savings Time...
Hehehe! I have to save something for an online bankroll now. Thanks guys! I've been thinking about those bonus dollars when you deposit, too. What's the deal with that? Is that for real? Or should that money stay there for a period of time?
Hi Jaz,
If you need some info on the bonuses etc etc. I had written an article a few months back.
http://gamefrog.blogspot.com/2006/08/online-poker-tips-of-trade.html
Might be helful if you are really thinking of playing. So far Ariel, Tipsy. Maverick and some others are itching to try it as well. Ako naman reverse hehehe baka mag live nalang ako pag uwi...
Also suggest you review rakebacks before you sign up to a site, this is something you won't be able to do once you've signed up so better look into it before it's too late. I can give you a referral if you want...
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