Freerolls FAQ

1. What is a freeroll?
   A freeroll is a poker tournament with no buy-in fee involved. In other words, you can participate at no cost.
   For more poker terms, visit our extensive Poker Terms page.
2. What is a freeroll listing?
   A freeroll listing explains in detail all the information regarding a particular freeroll PokerNews is hosting including where and when it’s being held, what the prize consists of and what is needed to qualify. Freeroll listings can be found in our extensive Freerolls page which is updated on a regular basis. We recommend you bookmark the page for easy access to all our latest offers.

3. OK, I’m in! Where do I start?
   Read the freeroll listing carefully in its entirety and note the following:
   

   • The host poker room (where the freeroll is being held)
   • The time and date (noting the specific time zone – EST/GMT/EDT, etc.)
   • The requirements
   • The qualification period
   • The Freeroll Terms & Conditions

4. We generally have two types of freerolls – exclusive and non-exclusive. This will be stated clearly in the freeroll listing.
   

   • Exclusive – This means participation is open only to PokerNews players. A PokerNews player is someone who has downloaded the online poker room software via the download links available on the PokerNews Online Poker Room section. Exclusive also means we have smaller fields, giving our loyal players a better chance at some great prizes.
   • Non-exclusive – This means participation is open to all regardless of where you obtained the online poker room account. As we like to keep our PokerNews players satisfied, non-exclusive freerolls are rare. However, they do happen from time to time and are not short of any action.
5. If you haven’t already, download the online poker room where the freeroll is being hosted. This can be done by clicking the blue download button on the poker room review page. For a full list of all the major poker rooms offered by PokerNews, visit Online Poker Rooms.
6. Always go to the online poker room lobby to confirm that the freeroll is live in the client.
7. Points requirements – Some poker rooms require that you earn a specific number of points to qualify for the freeroll. Points are acquired by playing hands in real money cash games and tournaments – the more hands you play, the more points you generate.
8. Rake requirements – Some poker rooms require that you generate a certain amount of rake to qualify for the freeroll. The rake is a percentage of the pot that is taken by the poker room to cover administrative costs, wages, etc. Each room’s rake structure is different and information on this can normally be found on the poker room website. Again, the more hands you play, the more rake you generate.

9. Registration and qualification procedures differ slightly depending on the online poker room. This information will be made available within the freeroll listing. Below are some standard procedures for our most common poker rooms*:
   PokerStars
   

   • Once the required points are accumulated, eligible players will be issued with a ticket.
   • This ticket must be used to manually register for the freeroll.
   • For issues, email support@PokerStars.com.

   Full Tilt Poker

   • Qualified players must click on the registration link in the tournament lobby to manually complete registration.
   • For issues, email support@FullTiltPoker.com

   Poker 770

   • Players to complete all entry requirements at least one calendar day prior to the start of the freeroll.
   • Registration will open three calendar days prior to the start of the freeroll.
   • During the registration period, new depositing players will only be able to register the day after the first deposit is made.
   • For issues, email support@Poker770.co.uk, phone (+44) 207 193 5596 or click on Live Support in the client lobby.

   Titan Poker

   • Once the required points are accumulated, use it to manually ‘buy-in’ to the freeroll before qualification closes.
   • For issues, email support@TitanPoker.com, phone +632-756-7927 or click on Live Support in the client lobby.

   bwin Poker

   • Once the required points are accumulated, eligible players will be issued with a ticket after registration closes.
   • This ticket must be used to manually register for the freeroll.
   • For issues, use the email form available on their Support page or phone 00350 200 777 61.

   888/Pacific Poker

   • Once the required points are accumulated, eligible players will be able to manually register for the freeroll.
   • For issues, use the email form available on their Contact Us page or phone +350 200 43703.

   Bodog Poker

   • Once the required points are accumulated, eligible players will receive automatic registration.
   • For issues, use the email form available on their Contact Us page or phone 0011 800 1004 2004.

   PartyPoker

   • For issues, email info@partypoker.com or phone 00 800 0000 8282.

   Hollywood Poker

   • Qualified players will receive a ticket after the end of qualification.
   • This ticket must be used to manually register for the freeroll.
   • For issues, email support@hollywoodpoker.com, phone 1 888 388 8828 or contact Live Help direct from the website.

   Mansion Poker

   • Once the required points are accumulated, use it to manually ‘buy-in’ to the freeroll before qualification closes.
   • For issues, email memberservice@mansion.com, phone +350 200 41000 or contact Live Help direct from the website.

   Ladbrokes Poker

   • Once the required points are accumulated, eligible players will receive automatic registration.
   • For issues, email care@ladbrokespoker.com or phone 00 350 200 43003.

   Everest Poker

   • Once the required points are accumulated, eligible players must manually register for the freeroll.
   • For issues, use the Online Help Form direct from the website.
     *Subject to change at anytime. Please always refer to the specific freeroll listing for exact details.
10. The tournament is over and I managed to finish in the money, now what?
    Most of our freeroll prizes consist of one or more of the following:
    
    Cash - If your freeroll awards cash, then your funds would have automatically been transferred to your poker room account.
    
    Satellite entry - If your freeroll awards entry to another online tournament, you should be issued with a ticket to be used as entry to the next tournament.
    
    Package to offline event – If your freeroll awards a package to an offline event, you will be contacted shortly via email with further details. Please be sure to check your emails and respond, as failure to reply after a lengthy period will result in a forfeit of the package.
    
    Always read the full Terms & Conditions prior to participating.
11. The most common reasons for not being able to register/participate in a particular freeroll:
    Not a PokerNews player - You did not originally sign up to the participating poker room via PokerNews. Most of our freerolls are exclusive to PokerNews players – meaning you had to have downloaded and signed up to the host poker room through the links on our website.
    From time to time, you will find freerolls that are open to all players, regardless of where you signed up. Look out for these at our Freerolls page.
    Additionally, we host freerolls across a broad range of rooms so if the above requirement means you are unable to play in one freeroll, rest assured you will have an array of others to choose from.
    Wrong registration period – Registration periods differ slightly for different poker rooms. If you have met the required conditions of entry and are still unable to register, it could be that registration has yet to begin. Some rooms open registration a week, a day or even an hour prior to the start of the freeroll.
    If you still cannot register when registration opens, and you are sure you have fulfilled all requirements, feel free to contact the poker room support.
    Alternatively, registration may have already closed and therefore, you are unable to proceed. The full details on registration can always be found in the freeroll listing.
    Have yet to be issued with a ticket for registration – Some poker rooms will issue players with a ticket which must be used to manually register for the freeroll. If you have met all the requirements and have yet to receive a ticket, note the ticket issue date.
    Even though you may have met all requirements early, some rooms only issue the tickets after the qualification period is over. This will be stated clearly in the freeroll listing.
    Qualification has ended/yet to begin – Each freeroll will have a specific qualification period and you can only qualify within this time frame. This will be stated clearly within the listing. If you are unable to register, it could be that the qualification period has already ended. Depending on the specific poker room, qualification can sometimes close as early as two days prior to the start of the freeroll.
    Points/rake requirements not met – Some freerolls require you to earn a number of points/rake to qualify. If you are unable to register/participate, it could be that you have yet to meet this requirement. Check the freeroll listings for full details.

* PokerNews and all participating poker rooms reserve the right to cancel/alter any promotion at their sole discretion.