Freeroll
A tournament with no entry fee that still pays real prizes, used by online rooms to attract new players and by clubs as a loyalty reward. Also describes a hand where you cannot lose but might win, such as the same straight with a flush draw on top.
Related terms
Full glossaryFrequently asked questions
What is a freeroll tournament?
A tournament with no buy-in and a real prize pool, run by operators to attract or reward players. The prize may be cash or a ticket into a larger event.
Are freeroll tournaments really free?
There is no buy-in, but there are usually conditions. Eligibility may require being a new player, having generated a certain amount of rake, or holding a password. Prizes may come as bonus funds or tickets rather than withdrawable cash, so the terms are worth reading first.
What does it mean to freeroll someone in a hand?
To be in a position where the worst outcome is splitting the pot and the best is winning all of it. The usual case is two players with the same made hand, one of whom also has a draw to a better one — so they can win outright but cannot lose.
Why are freerolls worth playing if the prizes are small?
Because there is nothing at risk, the arithmetic is favourable regardless of how small the prize is. The practical limits are the time spent and the field size, which is typically very large relative to the money available.