Early Play In a Freeroll Tournament

  Whoever said you cant get something for nothing has probably never heard of a freeroll tournament. Somebody can spend more money playing their local state lottery for worse odds of winning big, than they will to play a freeroll tournament. When playing this sort of tournament you can put your wallet away because there is no buy in or entry fee. You simply show up and play poker.  You can play these holdem tournaments a little more aggressively then you would other tournaments. Winning would be great, but you also dont have anything to lose. In the early goings, if your starting hand is a pair of aces or kings, raise before the flop. Some people have done well going all in with those starting hands in the early goings.   After the flop there are a number of things you can do:- With a pair and over cards on the board, a 4 flush or 4 straight bet 2x the minimum bet, call raises up to 4x the minimum bet or 20% of your stack. Fold to bigger bets.- With top pair or 2 pair and an unpaired board bet 4x the minimum but fold to any raise more than 50% of your stack unless you have top 2 pair and there is no chance of a flush or straight. Consider re-raising all in if this happens.- With trips, straights, full houses, etc. try to slow play after the flop. If you dont get any action put in some big raises and end there.  When you are in the early part of the tourney, it is important not to show weakness. Big bets before the flop sometimes work out well, but occasionally miss. If you are holding a pair of aces, kings, or an ace/king combo as your starting hand, you still have the advantage. Going all in may be a bit to aggressive for you, but make an effort to play loose in the early goings. This will also advertise you to the room as aggressive. You will hold an edge later in the tournament when you tighten up and play closer to the vest.