When it comes to buying tickets on Ticketmaster, one of the most frequently asked questions is whether you should refresh the page while waiting in the virtual queue. With high-demand events that sell out quickly, fans are eager to get their hands on tickets and want to use every strategy possible to increase their chances. However, constantly refreshing the Ticketmaster page is not an effective or recommended technique.
In this article, we’ll break down whether refreshing Ticketmaster helps or hurts your chances of getting tickets, explain the virtual waiting room system, provide tips on securing tickets, and answer additional common questions.
Does Refreshing the Ticketmaster Page Help?
The short answer is no – refreshing the Ticketmaster page excessively does not improve your odds of getting tickets. Here’s why:
The Virtual Waiting Room
For popular events that are expected to sell out quickly, Ticketmaster utilizes a virtual waiting room system. Rather than overwhelming the website all at once, fans are placed in a digital queue. You’ll be assigned a randomized spot in line, and when it’s your turn, you’ll have the opportunity to select and purchase tickets.
This means rapidly refreshing or returning to the page does not move you up in line or generate any kind of ticket-buying priority. Your place is already set based on when you joined the waiting room.
It May Actually Hurt
Not only is refreshing ineffective, but it can sometimes harm your chances and lead to errors. If you’re frantically refreshing while the system is trying to advance you through the line, you may miss your window or experience glitches. Excessively hitting refresh can overload the system.
You’re better off waiting patiently for the queue to progress. Keep the window open but resist the urge to obsessively pound refresh.
Bot Protection
Many ticketing sites use bot protection measures to ensure real fans have access to tickets instead of scalpers using automated bots. Refreshing repeatedly sometimes triggers protections against bot traffic, which could result in your IP address being temporarily blocked.
The bottom line is that Ticketmaster’s systems are designed to facilitate orderly, fair ticket sales. Working against that system by aggressively refreshing usually backfires. Trust in the waiting room process.
Tips for Getting Tickets
While you should avoid refresh abuse, there are some legitimate strategies that may help you beat the competition and get your hands on coveted tickets:
Use Presales
Take advantage of presales whenever possible, which give you early access before the general public. Sign up for fan clubs, follow artist social media accounts, and register for ticketing services like Ticketmaster Verified Fan. This cuts down on competition.
Be Ready Right at On-Sale Time
When tickets go on sale, every second matters. Have all your information and payment details entered ahead of time so you can checkout in seconds. Don’t fumble with inputting info once tickets are available.
Use Multiple Devices
Try waiting in the Ticketmaster queue on multiple devices simultaneously to increase your odds. Just don’t refresh excessively on any single device.
Aim for Less Popular Seats
The best seats sell out instantly. Have less in-demand seats already selected as backups so you can secure something quickly.
Persistence Pays Off
Keep trying if you don’t succeed right away. Releases sometimes happen in waves and inventory opens back up. Set alerts and keep checking back.
Is There Any Situation Where Refreshing Helps?
We’ve established that refresh abuse is generally fruitless and potentially harmful when battling for the initial ticket sale. But is there any instance where refreshing makes sense?
There are a few niche cases:
After the Initial Rush
Once the most sought-after tickets have sold out and some of the initial frenzy has calmed, periodic refreshing may reveal new seat openings or price drops for remaining tickets.
If the Page Freezes
Very rarely, your waiting room page may freeze up. Refreshing can reset it to get you back in line. But avoid mashing refresh – just try it once and go back to patiently waiting if it continues working.
Monitoring for Post-Sale Releases
After the public on-sale, it can be worth occasionally refreshing to look for ticket releases as the event nears. But limit it to casual checking, not rapid-fire refreshing.
Outside of those limited scenarios, keep that refresh finger still! It usually only serves to deliver frustration, not tickets.
Other Ticketmaster Questions
Beyond refreshing, there are a number of other common Ticketmaster questions people have around securing in-demand tickets:
Does using multiple browsers or incognito mode help?
No, Ticketmaster tracks your place in line by IP address and cookies, not by which browser you use. Using multiple browsers doesn’t give you an advantage.
Should you keep trying if tickets show sold out at first?
Absolutely. Ticket releases can happen in waves and more seats often open up. Persistence pays off.
Is Ticketmaster down or having issues?
With huge demand comes potential site trouble. If Ticketmaster is lagging, erroring out, or not loading, try again in a few minutes. Outages are usually temporary. Stay calm and keep trying.
Are BOTS buying up all the tickets?
Unfortunately bots do snatch up a lot of tickets. But Ticketmaster has gotten better at detecting and nullifying bot orders to level the playing field. Focus on beating out other fans, not the bots.
Key Takeaways
– Refreshing excessively does not get you tickets faster on Ticketmaster. You’re assigned a random spot in line when you join the waiting room.
– Too much refreshing can actually hurt by overloading the system and getting your IP temporarily blocked.
– Be patient in the waiting room queue. Have payment details ready and aim for less popular tickets.
– Checking back periodically after the initial rush can reveal new seats opening up.
– Stay persistent and try again if you don’t succeed initially. Tickets are often released in waves.
Frantic refreshing is an instinct when trying to buy hot tickets, but restraint pays off. Avoid mashing refresh and trust the waiting room process for the fairest shot at tickets.
Conclusion
Getting tickets to big concerts, games and shows through Ticketmaster is often a stressful and competitive endeavor. With so many fans vying for a limited supply, it’s easy to panic and think refreshing constantly will somehow help you gain an advantage.
But the reality is that Ticketmaster’s systems are designed to create a level playing field, and trying to “game” the system usually backfires. Excessive refreshing not only fails to get you tickets faster, but it can hamper your efforts and potentially even get you flagged or blocked.
The best approach is to be ready right when tickets go on sale, understand and utilize Ticketmaster’s waiting room queue, and avoid mashing the refresh button like a maniac. With persistence and savvy strategy, you can beat the frenzy. While nothing is guaranteed, restraint and preparation give you the optimal shot at scoring seats.
Rather than wearing out your refresh key, enter the Ticketmaster waiting room early, patiently hold your place in line, and pounce on the best tickets you can the moment your turn arrives. Follow fan presales, use multiple devices, and don’t give up hope even if initial options are gone. Your ticket dreams can still come true with a plan, patience and a little luck on your side.