C37 King's Gambit Accepted: Lolli Gambit Need Help

Some lines are heavy on theory and require you to know many moves. 3...g5 is objectively a good move, but you didn't know what to play on move 6 so you instantly lost the game.

When surprised with the king's gambit, even grandmasters don't bother playing the main lines because they know if they haven't memorized 20 moves they could get into big trouble. It's not enough to know only 3 or 4 moves... not even 10.

Instead it's better to play a variation with less theory. For example lines with an early d5.

1.e4 e5 2.f4 d5
or
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf 3.Nf3 d5
1.e4 e5 2.f4 exf 3.Bc4 d5 is also a line.

You can also decline the gambit

1.e4 e5 2.f4 Bc5

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I agree with the above response. Even at 1700 rapid, I was declining the king's gambit and doing fine.

Also the falkbeer counter gambit (d5 on move 2) is great for avoiding theory and taking the game to a place you're comfortable with.