Print up a chart of drawing odds and keep it handy (maybe tape it to your screen). Understanding the mathematics is also an important tool in surviving in the freerolls. Playing tight early is important for long term survival. With these multi-table tournaments, the name of the game is survival and sitting out the first fifteen minutes usually does you no harm. Within half an hour half the field is gone. Within ten minutes of the first deal, usually 10% of the field has been eliminated. Because they have no real money at stake, a great number of players will imitate what they see on TV and go “All-in” constantly. You can see this by sitting out and watching what happens as the freerolls progress. One of the most important things to realize in dealing with these freerolls is that the opposing players behave in a different manner than in most other situations. When you start to consistently finish in the top 10% of the freerolls you can begin to see the prospect of hitting the money.
A simple piece of paper and a pencil will keep track of your finishing position and is one sure way to know how you are improving over time.
By playing frequently and studying poker strategy, a serious player can chart their progress. Whether you are playing the freerolls at FullTilt or PokerStars you have to be good to win. Make sure to check out Part I before reading this – No Deposit – All Returns: How to Build a Bankroll from Nothing Part I
