Table Of Contents
Looking for the best poker freerolls to play online but don't know what sites have the best ones in 2020? You are not alone.
Free poker tournaments (poker freerolls) are events where you connect with other players to play poker and win prizes with no buy-in fee.
These free poker tournaments are part of a site's tournament schedule and take place every week at the same time. Prizes can include real money, tournament tickets, and more. New Players Freerolls. Online Poker Tournaments Sign up and sign in to start playing any of our online poker tournaments at Borgata Poker Online! Find free rolls, seasonal tournaments, and more and start winning real money!
While these tournaments can feature a wide range of prizes real money prizes, they all have one thing in common: they are all free.
In this guide to poker freerolls, you'll learn:
- and lots more
This isn't a collection of all the freeroll poker tournaments out there.
Our list of freerolls brings you only the best free poker tournaments running at the top online poker sites in 2020. In other words, if you are looking for value and you want to play freeroll tournaments to win real money, you'll love this guide.
Top Freeroll Poker Sites
What is a Poker Freeroll?
A poker freeroll is a tournament that costs nothing to enter. You register, you play, and (if you end amongst the top players) you win something.
Freerolls play exactly as the most expensive poker tournaments. They run around a structure made of levels, they feature increasing blinds and ante bets, and they reward a number of players at the end.
Beginners consider freerolls to be the ideal way to learn how to play poker (you play free poker games, get a chance to win, risk nothing). Pros, see them as value-packed events — especially when freerolls give you a shot at tickets to enter more expensive events for free.
While the real money prizes you can win playing freeroll poker tournaments online aren't massive or life-changing, these tournaments are popular among those who want to learn how to play poker without spending anything.
Once on a poker site, you'll find several different types of freeroll events.
The majority of them are open to all players, some require a password to play, and others are open only to VIP players who have collected a specific amount of points.
In this guide, you'll find everything about the different types of freeroll poker tournaments available online and you'll learn how to identify the best ones to play.
Pros and Cons of Freeroll Poker Tournaments
Before we dwell into the specifics of all the different types of freerolls to play online, let's have a quick run at the pros and cons of these poker games.
Freerolls are one of the most popular tournament formats in poker, played by hundreds of thousands of poker players every week.
Some people enjoy them because it gives them the chance to play poker for free, while others take advantage of the fact there is no tournament buy-in so they can try new strategies without any risk to their bankrolls.
It isn't only amateur players who you'll find competing in a poker freeroll because they are often used by more experienced players who are trying out the features and software of a poker room that they haven't used before.
Pros
- Freerolls cost nothing to play
- Most event tend to attract beginners and low-skilled players
- Freerolls are great to learn how to play different poker variants
- They are low-pressure poker events where you can explore different poker strategies.
Cons
- The prize pool is usually small
- Beginners make the play unpredictable
- The best freerolls are either password-protected events or open only to VIP players
- Only the biggest poker sites have freerolls to play lesser known poker variants
How Poker Freerolls Work
If you are about to sit at your first-ever freeroll, here are a few bits that we want you to go through before you begin.
These few points will help you understand more about the tournament you are about to play and spare you from any last-minute surprises.
The Prize. The poker site hosting a free poker event sets a prize pool that will be distributed to a number of players at the end of the competition. Prizes can include real money, tickets to other events, special poker bonuses, and swag.
The prize pool can either be split among a number of participants or go all to the winner's account (winner-take-all freerolls).
The Stack. Once the event begins, you receive a free stack of chips to play. This is referred to as the 'starting stack.' All players begin with the same starting stack.
The Gameplay. Everything in a freeroll plays as in a regular poker tournament — that's why beginners love these events so much. The goal of the game is to end the competition with all the chips in the game in your stack.
The Structure. The tournament's betting antes and blinds may increase as the event goes along. The straddle bet is not very common in free poker tournaments.
Additional Info. Each freeroll can feature a particular set of rules in regards to the time of play, the split of the prizes, or bounties awarded to the players when they complete a predefined action (e.g. bust a brand ambassador).
To see the complete list of these rules and a complete breakdown of the prizes, open your favorite poker client and double click on the freeroll of your choice.
This will open a dedicated window where you find all the most important details about the event.
Can You Really Win Money?
If you are looking for one shot to change your life forever, you better drop the idea of playing freeroll tournaments online.
(In all fairness, that's not the mindset you should have to play poker as that's the wrong approach even if you want to become a professional poker player)
But if you want to finance your bankroll at no cost, freeroll tournaments should be on the top of your list.
Yes, you can win real money when you play freeroll tournaments that award cash prizes to the winners.
While the numbers tend to navigate around the two or three-figure range, the cash you win on freerolls is real and appears on your poker account as soon as the competition ends.
Understandably, most of the best freerolls (i.e. those with a four-figure prize pool) tend to be connected with special requirements. These include having raked enough player's points or having played a certain number of hands in a set amount of time.
Are Freeroll Tournaments Really Free?
Freerolls are always free, by definition. To be included in the list of freeroll events, a tournament needs to have no entry fee and yet distribute prizes of some sorts.
You're probably sat there, reading this article and thinking that there must be a catch and that freerolls can't really be completely free.
Well, you need not to worry about there being any hidden fees or nasty surprises in store because freerolls are free poker tournaments that cost nothing to enter, otherwise, they couldn't be called a poker freeroll!
The only downside to these free poker tournaments is that the prizes on offer are not usually very large.
Often, the total prize pool is only $50 to $100 dollars, although there are regular PokerStars freerolls that have $3,000 prize pools to play for and some of the PokerNews-exclusive freerolls have massive prize pools of $10,000 and even $20,000 for you to compete in.
Real money freerolls are very popular amongst beginners. Qualifier satellite events where you play to win tickets to enter other tournaments are popular among the more experienced players.
Types of Freerolls
Every poker site on this list features a wide range of freeroll poker tournaments. As we mentioned, some come with real money prizes while others focus on giving away tickets to other events.
Poker sites offer freerolls because they want to introduce the game to as many players as possible.
Some of the biggest names in poker started out as freeroll players.
While players like Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey didn't start out grinding freerolls since online poker sites didn't exist when they started their poker journeys, many online players did have their first poker experience in freeroll tournaments.
Often, they've never looked back after their first win, and never had to deposit in their lives.
Of course, there isn't a success story for everyone. You got to get lucky and run good in these events. But, then again, there's no downside to trying as freerolls are truely free poker tournaments, there's no catch!
While all freerolls are free, some can come with specific entry requirements, limiting the number and types of players that can participate.
Online poker sites offer several different freeroll tournaments, all of which allow you to play free poker.
One of the most common poker freerolls is the new player freeroll, which is only open to players new to a site and is designed to give you the chance to feel your way around the site's software and to say thank you for signing up to them.
Another common freeroll is one that rewards you for making your first deposit on a site.
These usually have a larger than typical prize pool and are only available to players who've made their first deposit during the qualifying period.
Freerolls are often used as the first step in the satellite process, making it possible to qualify for major online and live tournament for free, while offers are exclusive to players who have created their poker account via PokerNews links.
PokerStars, GGpoker, and partypoker are an example of the sites sites that have these freeroll steps on offer.
The lowest step is free to enter. Win that one, and you'll find yourself with a ticket for Step 2. Continue on and you could make your way to a hefty payday, all for free.
Exclusive Freerolls
An exclusive freeroll is an event available only to a small set of players that meet requirements defined by the poker site that runs the tournament.
Most exclusive freerolls are 'password-protected' events, so only the players who have the right password can register and play.
Here on PokerNews we have our own set of exclusive freerolls running at all the largest poker sites in the world.
The events are open only to the players who are part of the PokerNews community.
Weekly Freerolls
The most common type of freeroll events. These free poker tournaments are part of a site's tournament schedule and take place every week at the same time.
Prizes can include real money, tournament tickets, and more.
New Players Freerolls
The most popular freerolls amongst beginners. These freeroll competitions are available only to new players right after they register to play on poker website.
Satellite Freerolls
A satellite freeroll is a feeder event where you play to win tickets to enter a bigger real money tournament.
Joey Armadillos Poker Tournament Schedule 2020
Satellite winners win 'tickets,' entries they can use to participate in other games for free.
Poker Freeroll Passwords and Schedule
Keeping up with all the latest freeroll passwords and schedules can be a real nightmare. With so many poker sites out there, it's almost impossible to keep track of what happens every day in the online poker world.
And since passwords are usually released one or two hours before an event begins, the only way to make sure you don't miss anything is to live glued to the screen.
But you can't do that, can you?
The solution to your problems? Register here.
Every week, we send you all the latest freeroll passwords (and more!) in an easy-to-digest recap that brings you nothing but the best events to play.
Leave your e-mail on this page to receive:
- The best freeroll poker sites in USA.
- A list of the the Omaha and Texas Hold'em freeroll tournaments.
- All the latest passwords to enter massive online, freerolls
- Access to all the PokerNews-exclusive events
Where Are the Best Freerolls?
Each online poker room offers a different take on their freerolls so it is difficult to give one the label of best, plus what is not to like about getting to play for real prizes for free? Surely that means that all freerolls are best?
If we had to put our necks on the line and choose a best freeroll, then we would have to go with the World Series of Poker freerolls.
GGPoker and WSOP Poker NJ run special promotions in the run up to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) that award seats to the WSOP bracelet events and even the Main Event!
How awesome would it be to win your way to the WSOP for free?
PokerStars Freerolls: Top 5
| Tournament Name | Prize Pool | How to Enter | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Stars Rewards Freeroll | $2,500 | Win tickets from playing games | Twice on Sundays |
| School Pass Event | $29.70 | Be a member of the PokerStars Poker School | Daily |
| EPT Live Freeroll | Tickets for future EPT tournaments | Open to people who have a password to enter the event | Daily |
| School Pass Big Bang Satellite | Big Bang competition tickets | Be a member of the PokerStars Poker School | Twice on Wednesdays |
| Weekly Stars Rewards Freeroll Big Value | $10,000 | Win tickets from playing games | Sundays |
888poker Freerolls: Top 5
| Tournament Name | Prize Pool | How to Enter | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 SNAP Free Tournament | $20 | Available to all players | Multiple times each day |
| $1,000 Depositors Freeroll | $1,000 | Complete a deposit on the site in the past week | Twice on Saturdays |
| $500 First Depositor Freeroll | $500 | Available to people who have completed their first deposits on the website | At least once each day; the schedule varies |
| Level Up Freeroll | $500 | Available to VIP members | Daily |
| Level 20+ Freeroll | $500 | For VIP members who have reached level 20 or greater | Daily |
GGPoker Freerolls: Top 5
| Tournament Name | Prize Pool | How to Enter | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step to WSOP | $21.60 | Earn enough tickets from playing | Daily |
| Mini Satellite Freeroll | Ticket for a future event | Open to the public | Daily |
| $50 Freeroll | $50 | For all members | Daily |
| $200 Daily Freeroll | $200 | Available for entry about an hour before it starts | Daily |
| $200 VIP Freeroll | $200 | Available only to VIP players | A few times each week |
PartyPoker Freerolls: Top 5
| Tournament Name | Prize Pool | How to Enter | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3 Daily Cash Boom Tournament | $3,000 | Score two points in SPINS at any limit for a ticket to qualify | Daily |
| $2.20 Mini Satellite Ticket Freeroll | Ticket for future event | Open to the public | Daily |
| Million Freeroll 20x 2.20 Qualifier | Ticket for future event | Available to VIP members and others who play often | Daily |
| $200 Daily Freeroll | $200 | Available for entry about an hour before the event starts | Daily |
| $500 VIP Freeroll | $500 | Available to VIP members | Daily |
Freerolls vs. Play Money: Main Differences
You may think that there isn't much difference between play money and freeroll tournaments because they are both playing poker for free — but that is where the similarities end.
Play money games are free to enter, but you can't win any real money. You play against other players who risk their own play money bankrolls, and you can only win play money.
Especially in the lower stakes play money games, play can be wild. Players often go all in every hand, just to try and build a stack. Being patient in these games is important.
On some sites, most notably PokerStars, playmoney chips can be converted to real money, but you need millions of playmoney chips to really get a starting bankroll.
Playing freerolls is often a better starting point than to try and run up a bankroll in playmoney games.
In the early stages of a freeroll tournament, there are often players who go all-in frequently like there are in play money games.
However, once the prize money – which is real, actual money – is in sight or if the freeroll awards large prizes, free poker tournaments start to play very much like those tournaments that command an entry fee.
This fact alone makes freerolls the perfect platform to hone your poker tournament skills.
FAQs
Can I play freeroll poker tournaments for free?You could play these tournaments on freeroll poker sites for free. Sometimes you might have to qualify by depositing enough funds. But you can get in an event without paying anything if you meet the proper requirements.
You can check what freeroll poker sites require before you start playing.
Can I win real money on freeroll poker games?You can win actual money through many poker freeroll competitions. Sometimes you might win a ticket to a future event, but that is for a satellite program. But could still win real money.
You should review the terms and rules for your tournament before you enter the poker freeroll competition. The effort is to help you get more out of the game you play.
Can I play freeroll tournaments on Android or iPhone devices?Many of the best freeroll poker sites in USA and in the rest of the world offer Android and iPhone apps that you can use for playing while on the go. You can log on the app and then start searching around for freeroll events.
Sometimes you might also need to play a game on a mobile browser. This point is for cases where the website doesn't have a dedicated mobile app.
The device you use should be up to date and capable of playing whatever it is you are interested in the most before you start.
Is it hard to win money when playing poker freeroll events?Poker freerolls are only as hard for you to win as you make them. Your skills in playing poker will be essential to seeing whether you can win anything while playing.
You will be competing against many others who have experience in playing poker and are looking to win money just like you.
Why are some freerolls restricted from some players?Poker websites often have limits on who can enter freerolls. They do this to encourage people to deposit money or reach the VIP club on a website. Sometimes a freeroll limits these tournaments to people who are learning how to play these games.
The most common point is that a site will want to keep a freeroll from being too crowded. A freeroll will be limited to having a specific number of people competing in the event.
You can check the rules on a freeroll to see what works when entering.
What are the best poker sites with freerolls?You have many choices to consider when looking at what poker site has the best freerolls. Some of the top choices include places like PokerStars, 888poker, GGPoker, and PartyPoker.
You can look around online to see what games are open and what you might be interested in playing the most.
Most poker freeroll competitions are open about an hour or so before they start. The tournaments open this late to ensure people are committed to playing and that they will be available for these competitions.
What forms of poker can you play in an event?Most freerolls entail one of two poker games. You can play Texas Hold'em freeroll tournaments in most places.
You may also find Omaha poker games, or even seven-card stud competitions. These are among the more common versions of poker available at these venues.
Check what game will be played at an event before you start, so you can be prepared for whatever will come about in the game.
Can you learn how to play poker through these games?It is possible to learn how to play poker when competing in an online, freeroll Texas Hold'em or Omaha poker tournament.
The program is a great place to learn, as you're not going to spend any money on the competition.
It does help to learn fast if you want to be more successful in these events without leaving too soon. You can get more out of your game if you know where you are going regarding the rules of poker.
Table Of Contents
The 2020 Borgata Winter Poker Open runs from January 14-31, 2020 at Atlantic City's Borgata, and PokerNews will be on-site to live report the series in its entirety.
Highlights from the 25-event schedule include the $540+$60 Deepstack Kick-Off NLH, which offers five starting flights and boasts a $2 million guarantee; the $350+$50 buy-in, $1 million GTD Almighty Stack; a $3,000+$125 buy-in Heads-Up event; a Charity Series of Poker Tournament; a $5,000+$100 High Roller; and the $3,500 buy-in, $3 million GTD World Poker Tour Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship from Sunday, January 26 through Thursday, January 30.
'Poker Brat' is Defending BWPO Heads-Up Champ
One of the most entertaining and competitive tournaments on the Borgata Winter Poker Open schedule is the heads-up event. This year's edition boasts a $3,000+$125 buy-in on Saturday, January 25, and while last year's buy-in was a lesser $1,590, the defending champ is the one and only Phil Hellmuth.
In 2019, he navigated a 64-player bracket to win the BWPO Heads-Up title for $37,248.
Hellmuth's path to victory – each step was a best-of-three format – began by defeating Wenhao Ying in the first round followed by Tim Reilly in the second. After that, he bested Travis Greenawaltt in Round 3.
In Round 4, Hellmuth dispatched Steven Sarmiento and then it was on to the finals against Joey Cappello in what turned out to be a three-hour affair.
According to updates from the event, the final hand took place in Level 6 (500/1,000) when Cappello got his last four bigs in holding queen-seven suited and Hellmuth called with king-nine offsuit. Cappello failed to improve and had to settle for second place and $18,624 in prize money.
'The man played amazing and certainly did not give his chips away,' said Hellmuth.
WPT First Visited Borgata Back in 2003
The World Poker Tour first visited Borgata back in Season II (2003) and the Borgata Poker Open remained a staple on the schedule ever since. The inaugural tournament had a $5,000 buy-in, while from Seasons III-VII it was doubled to $10,000. Starting in Season VIII, the price tag was lowered to $3,500 which is where it remains today.
'I realized the younger players are really good and they're going to be doing better. I'm happy for the experience I had.'
Speaking of that first-ever WPT Borgata Poker Open, it was the late Noli Francisco topping a 235-entry field to win the tournament for $470,000. He beat a final table that included Carlos Mortensen, David Oppenheim, and Charlie Shoten.
Back in 2012, PokerNews caught up with Francisco, who was 72 years old at the time.
'I got lucky and it was very exciting. I think I reached my goal. I was so happy to win, I reached my goal,' he said of his victory. 'I know it's hard work, and I was happy. After that, I realized the younger players are really good and they're going to be doing better. I'm happy for the experience I had, and now I live a contented life.'
Francisco went on to participate in Season II's Battle of Champions Invitational which included Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari, Mel Judah and Hoyt Corkins. Unfortunately, Francisco came up one spot shy of victory when he finished as runner up to David Benyamine.
Tony Dunst's Vintage Raw Deal
In Season X of the WPT, Raw Deal host Tony Dunst actually broke down the heads-up match between Francisco and Shoten.
The match is remembered as one of the strangest in WPT history, as evidenced by a few unorthodox hands. In one of the hands Dunst analyzed, Shoten called a raise to 70,000 with his 11-big-blind stack. Both players proceeded to check the flop and river, bringing about the river. At that point, Shoten checked his and Francisco went to bet with the inferior ; however, as he was cutting out chips, Shoten announced a call. The betting amount had yet to be determined, so Francisco bet and lost the minimum. 'I said I call to stop you from betting,' Shoten explained after winning the hand.
As if things couldn't get any stranger, in the very next hand, Shoten announced all in out of turn while Francisco was in the process of putting out a raise. 'It's my fault,' Shoten said. This time Francisco made the call with and was out in front of Shoten's , but the board ran out and the latter doubled.
'Noli Francisco is not a man to be outgunned,' Dunst explained. 'Noli is a man of resiliency. A man that doesn't let one lost coin flip deter him.'
Sure enough, Francisco managed to recover and on a board min-raised Shoten's 100,000 bet holding . Shoten, who held , responded by moving all in and Francisco called. The bricked on the river and it was all over, though you couldn't tell it as both men stood staring at the board in a confused stupor.
Eventually, the situation sank in and Francisco celebrated by raising his hands in the air in what would become one of Season II's most memorable moments.
Anthony Zinno's Rise to Fame
This isn't a collection of all the freeroll poker tournaments out there.
Our list of freerolls brings you only the best free poker tournaments running at the top online poker sites in 2020. In other words, if you are looking for value and you want to play freeroll tournaments to win real money, you'll love this guide.
Top Freeroll Poker Sites
What is a Poker Freeroll?
A poker freeroll is a tournament that costs nothing to enter. You register, you play, and (if you end amongst the top players) you win something.
Freerolls play exactly as the most expensive poker tournaments. They run around a structure made of levels, they feature increasing blinds and ante bets, and they reward a number of players at the end.
Beginners consider freerolls to be the ideal way to learn how to play poker (you play free poker games, get a chance to win, risk nothing). Pros, see them as value-packed events — especially when freerolls give you a shot at tickets to enter more expensive events for free.
While the real money prizes you can win playing freeroll poker tournaments online aren't massive or life-changing, these tournaments are popular among those who want to learn how to play poker without spending anything.
Once on a poker site, you'll find several different types of freeroll events.
The majority of them are open to all players, some require a password to play, and others are open only to VIP players who have collected a specific amount of points.
In this guide, you'll find everything about the different types of freeroll poker tournaments available online and you'll learn how to identify the best ones to play.
Pros and Cons of Freeroll Poker Tournaments
Before we dwell into the specifics of all the different types of freerolls to play online, let's have a quick run at the pros and cons of these poker games.
Freerolls are one of the most popular tournament formats in poker, played by hundreds of thousands of poker players every week.
Some people enjoy them because it gives them the chance to play poker for free, while others take advantage of the fact there is no tournament buy-in so they can try new strategies without any risk to their bankrolls.
It isn't only amateur players who you'll find competing in a poker freeroll because they are often used by more experienced players who are trying out the features and software of a poker room that they haven't used before.
Pros
- Freerolls cost nothing to play
- Most event tend to attract beginners and low-skilled players
- Freerolls are great to learn how to play different poker variants
- They are low-pressure poker events where you can explore different poker strategies.
Cons
- The prize pool is usually small
- Beginners make the play unpredictable
- The best freerolls are either password-protected events or open only to VIP players
- Only the biggest poker sites have freerolls to play lesser known poker variants
How Poker Freerolls Work
If you are about to sit at your first-ever freeroll, here are a few bits that we want you to go through before you begin.
These few points will help you understand more about the tournament you are about to play and spare you from any last-minute surprises.
The Prize. The poker site hosting a free poker event sets a prize pool that will be distributed to a number of players at the end of the competition. Prizes can include real money, tickets to other events, special poker bonuses, and swag.
The prize pool can either be split among a number of participants or go all to the winner's account (winner-take-all freerolls).
The Stack. Once the event begins, you receive a free stack of chips to play. This is referred to as the 'starting stack.' All players begin with the same starting stack.
The Gameplay. Everything in a freeroll plays as in a regular poker tournament — that's why beginners love these events so much. The goal of the game is to end the competition with all the chips in the game in your stack.
The Structure. The tournament's betting antes and blinds may increase as the event goes along. The straddle bet is not very common in free poker tournaments.
Additional Info. Each freeroll can feature a particular set of rules in regards to the time of play, the split of the prizes, or bounties awarded to the players when they complete a predefined action (e.g. bust a brand ambassador).
To see the complete list of these rules and a complete breakdown of the prizes, open your favorite poker client and double click on the freeroll of your choice.
This will open a dedicated window where you find all the most important details about the event.
Can You Really Win Money?
If you are looking for one shot to change your life forever, you better drop the idea of playing freeroll tournaments online.
(In all fairness, that's not the mindset you should have to play poker as that's the wrong approach even if you want to become a professional poker player)
But if you want to finance your bankroll at no cost, freeroll tournaments should be on the top of your list.
Yes, you can win real money when you play freeroll tournaments that award cash prizes to the winners.
While the numbers tend to navigate around the two or three-figure range, the cash you win on freerolls is real and appears on your poker account as soon as the competition ends.
Understandably, most of the best freerolls (i.e. those with a four-figure prize pool) tend to be connected with special requirements. These include having raked enough player's points or having played a certain number of hands in a set amount of time.
Are Freeroll Tournaments Really Free?
Freerolls are always free, by definition. To be included in the list of freeroll events, a tournament needs to have no entry fee and yet distribute prizes of some sorts.
You're probably sat there, reading this article and thinking that there must be a catch and that freerolls can't really be completely free.
Well, you need not to worry about there being any hidden fees or nasty surprises in store because freerolls are free poker tournaments that cost nothing to enter, otherwise, they couldn't be called a poker freeroll!
The only downside to these free poker tournaments is that the prizes on offer are not usually very large.
Often, the total prize pool is only $50 to $100 dollars, although there are regular PokerStars freerolls that have $3,000 prize pools to play for and some of the PokerNews-exclusive freerolls have massive prize pools of $10,000 and even $20,000 for you to compete in.
Real money freerolls are very popular amongst beginners. Qualifier satellite events where you play to win tickets to enter other tournaments are popular among the more experienced players.
Types of Freerolls
Every poker site on this list features a wide range of freeroll poker tournaments. As we mentioned, some come with real money prizes while others focus on giving away tickets to other events.
Poker sites offer freerolls because they want to introduce the game to as many players as possible.
Some of the biggest names in poker started out as freeroll players.
While players like Daniel Negreanu and Phil Ivey didn't start out grinding freerolls since online poker sites didn't exist when they started their poker journeys, many online players did have their first poker experience in freeroll tournaments.
Often, they've never looked back after their first win, and never had to deposit in their lives.
Of course, there isn't a success story for everyone. You got to get lucky and run good in these events. But, then again, there's no downside to trying as freerolls are truely free poker tournaments, there's no catch!
While all freerolls are free, some can come with specific entry requirements, limiting the number and types of players that can participate.
Online poker sites offer several different freeroll tournaments, all of which allow you to play free poker.
One of the most common poker freerolls is the new player freeroll, which is only open to players new to a site and is designed to give you the chance to feel your way around the site's software and to say thank you for signing up to them.
Another common freeroll is one that rewards you for making your first deposit on a site.
These usually have a larger than typical prize pool and are only available to players who've made their first deposit during the qualifying period.
Freerolls are often used as the first step in the satellite process, making it possible to qualify for major online and live tournament for free, while offers are exclusive to players who have created their poker account via PokerNews links.
PokerStars, GGpoker, and partypoker are an example of the sites sites that have these freeroll steps on offer.
The lowest step is free to enter. Win that one, and you'll find yourself with a ticket for Step 2. Continue on and you could make your way to a hefty payday, all for free.
Exclusive Freerolls
An exclusive freeroll is an event available only to a small set of players that meet requirements defined by the poker site that runs the tournament.
Most exclusive freerolls are 'password-protected' events, so only the players who have the right password can register and play.
Here on PokerNews we have our own set of exclusive freerolls running at all the largest poker sites in the world.
The events are open only to the players who are part of the PokerNews community.
Weekly Freerolls
The most common type of freeroll events. These free poker tournaments are part of a site's tournament schedule and take place every week at the same time.
Prizes can include real money, tournament tickets, and more.
New Players Freerolls
The most popular freerolls amongst beginners. These freeroll competitions are available only to new players right after they register to play on poker website.
Satellite Freerolls
A satellite freeroll is a feeder event where you play to win tickets to enter a bigger real money tournament.
Joey Armadillos Poker Tournament Schedule 2020
Satellite winners win 'tickets,' entries they can use to participate in other games for free.
Poker Freeroll Passwords and Schedule
Keeping up with all the latest freeroll passwords and schedules can be a real nightmare. With so many poker sites out there, it's almost impossible to keep track of what happens every day in the online poker world.
And since passwords are usually released one or two hours before an event begins, the only way to make sure you don't miss anything is to live glued to the screen.
But you can't do that, can you?
The solution to your problems? Register here.
Every week, we send you all the latest freeroll passwords (and more!) in an easy-to-digest recap that brings you nothing but the best events to play.
Leave your e-mail on this page to receive:
- The best freeroll poker sites in USA.
- A list of the the Omaha and Texas Hold'em freeroll tournaments.
- All the latest passwords to enter massive online, freerolls
- Access to all the PokerNews-exclusive events
Where Are the Best Freerolls?
Each online poker room offers a different take on their freerolls so it is difficult to give one the label of best, plus what is not to like about getting to play for real prizes for free? Surely that means that all freerolls are best?
If we had to put our necks on the line and choose a best freeroll, then we would have to go with the World Series of Poker freerolls.
GGPoker and WSOP Poker NJ run special promotions in the run up to the World Series of Poker (WSOP) that award seats to the WSOP bracelet events and even the Main Event!
How awesome would it be to win your way to the WSOP for free?
PokerStars Freerolls: Top 5
| Tournament Name | Prize Pool | How to Enter | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weekly Stars Rewards Freeroll | $2,500 | Win tickets from playing games | Twice on Sundays |
| School Pass Event | $29.70 | Be a member of the PokerStars Poker School | Daily |
| EPT Live Freeroll | Tickets for future EPT tournaments | Open to people who have a password to enter the event | Daily |
| School Pass Big Bang Satellite | Big Bang competition tickets | Be a member of the PokerStars Poker School | Twice on Wednesdays |
| Weekly Stars Rewards Freeroll Big Value | $10,000 | Win tickets from playing games | Sundays |
888poker Freerolls: Top 5
| Tournament Name | Prize Pool | How to Enter | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| $20 SNAP Free Tournament | $20 | Available to all players | Multiple times each day |
| $1,000 Depositors Freeroll | $1,000 | Complete a deposit on the site in the past week | Twice on Saturdays |
| $500 First Depositor Freeroll | $500 | Available to people who have completed their first deposits on the website | At least once each day; the schedule varies |
| Level Up Freeroll | $500 | Available to VIP members | Daily |
| Level 20+ Freeroll | $500 | For VIP members who have reached level 20 or greater | Daily |
GGPoker Freerolls: Top 5
| Tournament Name | Prize Pool | How to Enter | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step to WSOP | $21.60 | Earn enough tickets from playing | Daily |
| Mini Satellite Freeroll | Ticket for a future event | Open to the public | Daily |
| $50 Freeroll | $50 | For all members | Daily |
| $200 Daily Freeroll | $200 | Available for entry about an hour before it starts | Daily |
| $200 VIP Freeroll | $200 | Available only to VIP players | A few times each week |
PartyPoker Freerolls: Top 5
| Tournament Name | Prize Pool | How to Enter | When |
|---|---|---|---|
| $3 Daily Cash Boom Tournament | $3,000 | Score two points in SPINS at any limit for a ticket to qualify | Daily |
| $2.20 Mini Satellite Ticket Freeroll | Ticket for future event | Open to the public | Daily |
| Million Freeroll 20x 2.20 Qualifier | Ticket for future event | Available to VIP members and others who play often | Daily |
| $200 Daily Freeroll | $200 | Available for entry about an hour before the event starts | Daily |
| $500 VIP Freeroll | $500 | Available to VIP members | Daily |
Freerolls vs. Play Money: Main Differences
You may think that there isn't much difference between play money and freeroll tournaments because they are both playing poker for free — but that is where the similarities end.
Play money games are free to enter, but you can't win any real money. You play against other players who risk their own play money bankrolls, and you can only win play money.
Especially in the lower stakes play money games, play can be wild. Players often go all in every hand, just to try and build a stack. Being patient in these games is important.
On some sites, most notably PokerStars, playmoney chips can be converted to real money, but you need millions of playmoney chips to really get a starting bankroll.
Playing freerolls is often a better starting point than to try and run up a bankroll in playmoney games.
In the early stages of a freeroll tournament, there are often players who go all-in frequently like there are in play money games.
However, once the prize money – which is real, actual money – is in sight or if the freeroll awards large prizes, free poker tournaments start to play very much like those tournaments that command an entry fee.
This fact alone makes freerolls the perfect platform to hone your poker tournament skills.
FAQs
Can I play freeroll poker tournaments for free?You could play these tournaments on freeroll poker sites for free. Sometimes you might have to qualify by depositing enough funds. But you can get in an event without paying anything if you meet the proper requirements.
You can check what freeroll poker sites require before you start playing.
Can I win real money on freeroll poker games?You can win actual money through many poker freeroll competitions. Sometimes you might win a ticket to a future event, but that is for a satellite program. But could still win real money.
You should review the terms and rules for your tournament before you enter the poker freeroll competition. The effort is to help you get more out of the game you play.
Can I play freeroll tournaments on Android or iPhone devices?Many of the best freeroll poker sites in USA and in the rest of the world offer Android and iPhone apps that you can use for playing while on the go. You can log on the app and then start searching around for freeroll events.
Sometimes you might also need to play a game on a mobile browser. This point is for cases where the website doesn't have a dedicated mobile app.
The device you use should be up to date and capable of playing whatever it is you are interested in the most before you start.
Is it hard to win money when playing poker freeroll events?Poker freerolls are only as hard for you to win as you make them. Your skills in playing poker will be essential to seeing whether you can win anything while playing.
You will be competing against many others who have experience in playing poker and are looking to win money just like you.
Why are some freerolls restricted from some players?Poker websites often have limits on who can enter freerolls. They do this to encourage people to deposit money or reach the VIP club on a website. Sometimes a freeroll limits these tournaments to people who are learning how to play these games.
The most common point is that a site will want to keep a freeroll from being too crowded. A freeroll will be limited to having a specific number of people competing in the event.
You can check the rules on a freeroll to see what works when entering.
What are the best poker sites with freerolls?You have many choices to consider when looking at what poker site has the best freerolls. Some of the top choices include places like PokerStars, 888poker, GGPoker, and PartyPoker.
You can look around online to see what games are open and what you might be interested in playing the most.
Most poker freeroll competitions are open about an hour or so before they start. The tournaments open this late to ensure people are committed to playing and that they will be available for these competitions.
What forms of poker can you play in an event?Most freerolls entail one of two poker games. You can play Texas Hold'em freeroll tournaments in most places.
You may also find Omaha poker games, or even seven-card stud competitions. These are among the more common versions of poker available at these venues.
Check what game will be played at an event before you start, so you can be prepared for whatever will come about in the game.
Can you learn how to play poker through these games?It is possible to learn how to play poker when competing in an online, freeroll Texas Hold'em or Omaha poker tournament.
The program is a great place to learn, as you're not going to spend any money on the competition.
It does help to learn fast if you want to be more successful in these events without leaving too soon. You can get more out of your game if you know where you are going regarding the rules of poker.
Table Of Contents
The 2020 Borgata Winter Poker Open runs from January 14-31, 2020 at Atlantic City's Borgata, and PokerNews will be on-site to live report the series in its entirety.
Highlights from the 25-event schedule include the $540+$60 Deepstack Kick-Off NLH, which offers five starting flights and boasts a $2 million guarantee; the $350+$50 buy-in, $1 million GTD Almighty Stack; a $3,000+$125 buy-in Heads-Up event; a Charity Series of Poker Tournament; a $5,000+$100 High Roller; and the $3,500 buy-in, $3 million GTD World Poker Tour Borgata Winter Poker Open Championship from Sunday, January 26 through Thursday, January 30.
'Poker Brat' is Defending BWPO Heads-Up Champ
One of the most entertaining and competitive tournaments on the Borgata Winter Poker Open schedule is the heads-up event. This year's edition boasts a $3,000+$125 buy-in on Saturday, January 25, and while last year's buy-in was a lesser $1,590, the defending champ is the one and only Phil Hellmuth.
In 2019, he navigated a 64-player bracket to win the BWPO Heads-Up title for $37,248.
Hellmuth's path to victory – each step was a best-of-three format – began by defeating Wenhao Ying in the first round followed by Tim Reilly in the second. After that, he bested Travis Greenawaltt in Round 3.
In Round 4, Hellmuth dispatched Steven Sarmiento and then it was on to the finals against Joey Cappello in what turned out to be a three-hour affair.
According to updates from the event, the final hand took place in Level 6 (500/1,000) when Cappello got his last four bigs in holding queen-seven suited and Hellmuth called with king-nine offsuit. Cappello failed to improve and had to settle for second place and $18,624 in prize money.
'The man played amazing and certainly did not give his chips away,' said Hellmuth.
WPT First Visited Borgata Back in 2003
The World Poker Tour first visited Borgata back in Season II (2003) and the Borgata Poker Open remained a staple on the schedule ever since. The inaugural tournament had a $5,000 buy-in, while from Seasons III-VII it was doubled to $10,000. Starting in Season VIII, the price tag was lowered to $3,500 which is where it remains today.
'I realized the younger players are really good and they're going to be doing better. I'm happy for the experience I had.'
Speaking of that first-ever WPT Borgata Poker Open, it was the late Noli Francisco topping a 235-entry field to win the tournament for $470,000. He beat a final table that included Carlos Mortensen, David Oppenheim, and Charlie Shoten.
Back in 2012, PokerNews caught up with Francisco, who was 72 years old at the time.
'I got lucky and it was very exciting. I think I reached my goal. I was so happy to win, I reached my goal,' he said of his victory. 'I know it's hard work, and I was happy. After that, I realized the younger players are really good and they're going to be doing better. I'm happy for the experience I had, and now I live a contented life.'
Francisco went on to participate in Season II's Battle of Champions Invitational which included Phil Laak, Antonio Esfandiari, Mel Judah and Hoyt Corkins. Unfortunately, Francisco came up one spot shy of victory when he finished as runner up to David Benyamine.
Tony Dunst's Vintage Raw Deal
In Season X of the WPT, Raw Deal host Tony Dunst actually broke down the heads-up match between Francisco and Shoten.
The match is remembered as one of the strangest in WPT history, as evidenced by a few unorthodox hands. In one of the hands Dunst analyzed, Shoten called a raise to 70,000 with his 11-big-blind stack. Both players proceeded to check the flop and river, bringing about the river. At that point, Shoten checked his and Francisco went to bet with the inferior ; however, as he was cutting out chips, Shoten announced a call. The betting amount had yet to be determined, so Francisco bet and lost the minimum. 'I said I call to stop you from betting,' Shoten explained after winning the hand.
As if things couldn't get any stranger, in the very next hand, Shoten announced all in out of turn while Francisco was in the process of putting out a raise. 'It's my fault,' Shoten said. This time Francisco made the call with and was out in front of Shoten's , but the board ran out and the latter doubled.
'Noli Francisco is not a man to be outgunned,' Dunst explained. 'Noli is a man of resiliency. A man that doesn't let one lost coin flip deter him.'
Sure enough, Francisco managed to recover and on a board min-raised Shoten's 100,000 bet holding . Shoten, who held , responded by moving all in and Francisco called. The bricked on the river and it was all over, though you couldn't tell it as both men stood staring at the board in a confused stupor.
Eventually, the situation sank in and Francisco celebrated by raising his hands in the air in what would become one of Season II's most memorable moments.
Anthony Zinno's Rise to Fame
Today, Anthony Zinno is one of the most accomplished and respected players in poker. He's won three WPT titles, was crowned WPT Season XIII Player of the Year, and has a pair of World Series of Poker gold bracelets to his name. It's an impressive résumé and it all began at Borgata.
Back in Season XII, he bested a 1,189-entry field to win an $825,099 top prize in the Borgata Poker Open after beating Vanessa Selbst in heads-up play. In the process, he denied her from becoming the tour's first-evet female champ of a WPT open event.
It was an impressive performance, but did you know he nearly captured a WPT Borgata title the year before? In Season XII he finished 11th in the WPT Borgata Winter Poker Open for $39,821.
Allen Kessler Actually Won a Tournament at Borgata
Allen 'Chainsaw' Kessler has had a lot of close calls when it comes to capturing WSOP gold, and while the bracelet continues to elude him, he can at least console himself with some coveted Borgata trophies.
Joey Armadillos Poker Tournament Schedule 2019
That's because back in 2010 he topped a 141-entry field to win the $400 Omaha/Stud Hi-Lo tournament for $14,744 and two years later beat a 170-entry field to win the $400 Limit Omaha Hi/Lo for $17,314.
At the 2013 Borgata Winter Poker Open, he also took down the $560 H.O.R.S.E. event for $15,107 – the 57th largest score of his career.
Be sure to follow live updates throughout the 2020 Borgata Winter Poker Open right here on PokerNews.
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Allen KesslerAnthony ZinnoBorgataPhil HellmuthPoker TournamentsTony DunstWorld Poker TourWPTRelated Tournaments
World Poker TourRelated Players
Phil HellmuthAllen KesslerTony DunstAnthony Zinno
