Buyins better than freerolls

[aces_up]

I used to play a lot of freerolls just because I was bored and it was a great way to learn about a new site. The problem I had with that was it didn't take me long to get the feeling that even in private games players seem to play differently if it's a freeroll than they would even if the buyin was only $1. Anyone else seen this, or is it just my imagination?

[The Professor]

Freerolls are a completely different kettle of fish - it's almost like play money games.

I don't play them to be honest, they're usually alot of hard work, for pretty small reward with most freerolls having alot of players and very erratic betting patterns / actions.

[najdoyza]

I don't play them anymore either unless they are private games. Private games have better prize pools and smaller fields with players that are generally better than the run of donks and freeroll whores you see in the open games.

Prof is right - the average freeroll player doesn't play them like there is any money involved becasue they didn't pay to get in. So you see a lot of all in or fold play until most of the field is gone and then 1/2 of what's left are sitting on big stacks cause they got lucky playing stupid and drawing out.

It takes more time to weed them out - if you ever do get them all and then the prize is so small that even if you win you just spent 3 hours avoiding the idiots for a few bucks. It's not worth the time and effort. And it isn't much fun either.

[MissCrissy]

I'm a lot more reckless with freerolls or playgames and video games than I am when my money's on the line. The problem is I'm not developing smart gaming or good playing habits that way.