bremp555
Enthusiast
Silver Level
I can understand the frustration. Tournament poker can be really tough because even when you play well, the variance is huge, and it’s normal to get eliminated often. Making final tables in freerolls and micro stakes already shows that you’re learning and improving. The key is to see those eliminations not as failures, but as part of the process that builds long-term experience.
One thing that might help is focusing more on your decisions rather than just the results. For example, review the hands where you busted out and ask yourself if you made the best choice with the information you had. Sometimes you’ll find leaks in your game, and other times you’ll see that you played correctly but just got unlucky. Both outcomes are valuable to learn from.
Also, freerolls and micro stakes can be very unpredictable because players often play much looser than they would at higher stakes. Don’t let that discourage you. If you keep working on patience, position play, and understanding stack sizes, you’ll start noticing better results over time. Keep going—you’re probably on the right path.
One thing that might help is focusing more on your decisions rather than just the results. For example, review the hands where you busted out and ask yourself if you made the best choice with the information you had. Sometimes you’ll find leaks in your game, and other times you’ll see that you played correctly but just got unlucky. Both outcomes are valuable to learn from.
Also, freerolls and micro stakes can be very unpredictable because players often play much looser than they would at higher stakes. Don’t let that discourage you. If you keep working on patience, position play, and understanding stack sizes, you’ll start noticing better results over time. Keep going—you’re probably on the right path.
Mantinhoo
Rock Star
Bronze Level
You have to understand that freerolls and micro-stakes tournaments have their own dynamics. There are a lot of unpredictable plays, so you need to be mentally prepared for things not to go your way most of the time — just like in your case. You’ll see players shoving with hands like 9-2 or Q-3, which you won’t see as often in higher-stakes games. Patience and acceptance are key.
Another important thing: you won’t win every time. Learning how to lose is just as important as learning how to win — and bankroll management is everything. Just keep putting in the work. Success comes to those who grind.
Another important thing: you won’t win every time. Learning how to lose is just as important as learning how to win — and bankroll management is everything. Just keep putting in the work. Success comes to those who grind.
GarotoMaroto
Visionary
Platinum Level
IF you want to make real money playing poker join a pro team they will teach you everything you need.
God bless
God bless
Mig32
Rock Star
Platinum Level
I’ve been through that same stage — reaching deep runs in freerolls and micros but getting knocked out before closing. What really helped me was focusing on ICM concepts (understanding chip value near the bubble and final tables) and adjusting aggression depending on stack sizes. Sometimes I was pushing too hard when I didn’t need to, or being too passive and letting blinds eat me up. Another key shift was learning to play short-handed, since final tables are often 6–8 players, and ranges widen a lot.
If you’re already making final tables, you’re clearly doing many things right. Now it’s about sharpening those late-stage skills: stealing blinds more, avoiding marginal all-ins, and paying attention to pay jumps. Don’t get discouraged — consistency in reaching that stage means you’re close to breaking through.
If you’re already making final tables, you’re clearly doing many things right. Now it’s about sharpening those late-stage skills: stealing blinds more, avoiding marginal all-ins, and paying attention to pay jumps. Don’t get discouraged — consistency in reaching that stage means you’re close to breaking through.
W
WellAA
Visionary
Platinum Level
Hi there! Try break into pieces, first of all get into ITM, and moving into better places, this way You'll be profitable enough.
Take some time to review your played hands after the session. and write down, what You could do to improve the game.
Are You folding too much? Or calling too many bluffs?
That's good You're getting into some FTs. Isn't easy to improve, not impossible though. GL and see You at the beautiful FT.
E
EarnDAStack
Visionary
Platinum Level
That's just part of the game, most days are going to be losing days, even more so if you play tournaments.
Only one person can win a tournament so in theory everyone else will be eliminated. The important factor is long term profitability. You don't actually need to ever win a tournament to make a lot of money playing poker, however the games that have smaller field sizes will provide you with the opportunity to make FTs more often but you will make less money compared to making an FT in a massive field tournament but you will make this FT much less frequently.
eg, if you're playing an MTT with 90 people you should make the FT 1/10 or 10% of the time assuming no skill edge.
If you play a MTT with 900 players you'll only make the FT 1/100 or 1% of the time, however the payoff for 9th will be much (10 times) higher
Just focus on playing well, improving your strategy and the results will come and if you start making FTs with regularity start to study how to play at FTs as they have a much different approach due to ICM. Studying this might be the difference between busting early at the FT and winning the tournament, but it's a skill that needs to be worked on individually as part of a well rounded MTT gameplan.
Hope this helps and good luck at the tables!!
EDS
Only one person can win a tournament so in theory everyone else will be eliminated. The important factor is long term profitability. You don't actually need to ever win a tournament to make a lot of money playing poker, however the games that have smaller field sizes will provide you with the opportunity to make FTs more often but you will make less money compared to making an FT in a massive field tournament but you will make this FT much less frequently.
eg, if you're playing an MTT with 90 people you should make the FT 1/10 or 10% of the time assuming no skill edge.
If you play a MTT with 900 players you'll only make the FT 1/100 or 1% of the time, however the payoff for 9th will be much (10 times) higher
Just focus on playing well, improving your strategy and the results will come and if you start making FTs with regularity start to study how to play at FTs as they have a much different approach due to ICM. Studying this might be the difference between busting early at the FT and winning the tournament, but it's a skill that needs to be worked on individually as part of a well rounded MTT gameplan.
Hope this helps and good luck at the tables!!
EDS
RALF_AK
Visionary
Platinum Level
..the best way to evolve in poker is to be critical of your decisions during the tournament... remember that just playing without studying will make you stay in the same place without evolving... step by step the evolution will happen...
moraeskvmi
Rock Star
Platinum Level
you’re on the right track already making final tables in freerolls and micros means you’re improving. Getting eliminated often is normal at this stage, the key is reviewing your hands, spotting leaks, and working on push/fold strategy for short stacks. Consistency will come with time and study.
Fallenglory
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Your title seems to give a little despair away. Never give up while playing poker, there are always outs.
As long as you are reviewing hands, hands studying and learning in other ways you are improving.
Also in tournament poker there is variance, the bigger the field the higher the variance will be. I recommend the 30 day poker course, it covers all the fields including variance. I'm in the last week myself actually!
www.cardschat.com
As long as you are reviewing hands, hands studying and learning in other ways you are improving.
Also in tournament poker there is variance, the bigger the field the higher the variance will be. I recommend the 30 day poker course, it covers all the fields including variance. I'm in the last week myself actually!
Become a Winning Poker Player in 30 Days | CardChat
CardsChat invites you to the 30-day free poker video training course designed to raise your game & play even smarter - Written by Collin Moshman & Katie Dozier.
Natox
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Hey ortrof,
winning a big poker tournament requires a strong combination of skill, strategic aggression, adaptive play, and mental fortitude to manage risk and leverage advantages. You must master tournament fundamentals, such as playing strong hands aggressively, stealing blinds, understanding stack sizes, and adapting their play based on position and the stage of the tournament. Success also depends on handle pressure, effectively exploit opponents' weaknesses, and manage bankroll responsibly to avoid taking undue risks. Even on final tables, you have to get better and find little leaks. Go on and execute your strategy.
Everything else is fine and not in your hand.
Good luck next time,
Natox
winning a big poker tournament requires a strong combination of skill, strategic aggression, adaptive play, and mental fortitude to manage risk and leverage advantages. You must master tournament fundamentals, such as playing strong hands aggressively, stealing blinds, understanding stack sizes, and adapting their play based on position and the stage of the tournament. Success also depends on handle pressure, effectively exploit opponents' weaknesses, and manage bankroll responsibly to avoid taking undue risks. Even on final tables, you have to get better and find little leaks. Go on and execute your strategy.
Everything else is fine and not in your hand.
Good luck next time,
Natox
