How to place bets on esports?
What Are Esports Bets?
Esports are official competitions in computer games that attract millions of viewers and players worldwide. The popularity of esports is rapidly growing, leading to the development of a betting market. How do you place bets on esports? This process is quite similar to traditional sports betting but has its own unique aspects. To earn successfully, you need to understand the gaming disciplines, grasp the meta, analyze teams, and keep up with current changes.
Popular Disciplines for Betting
Among the numerous esports disciplines, three main directions stand out:
- MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas) – Dota 2, League of Legends
- FPS (First-Person Shooters) – CS:GO, Valorant, Call of Duty
- RTS (Real-Time Strategy) – StarCraft II
Each of these disciplines has its own characteristics, competition formats, and gaming strategies.
Types of Esports Bets
Esports offer various betting options:
- Match Winner – the simplest and most popular type of bet where you select the winning team.
- Handicap – bookmakers level the playing field by giving one team an advantage in rounds or maps.
- Total (Over/Under) – bets on the total number of events in a match (kills, rounds, maps).
- Exact Score – predicting the final score of the match.
- Outrights (Long-Term Bets) – bets on tournament winners or best players.
Analyzing Matches Before Betting
To make successful predictions, it’s essential to consider numerous factors:
- Teams’ and Players’ Form
- Study recent matches and results.
- Observe how teams perform in different tournaments.
- Pay attention to roster changes.
- Map and Hero Selection
- In shooters (CS:GO, Valorant), teams often win on their «favorite» maps.
- In MOBA games, consider hero picks and bans as they determine the team’s strategy.
- Tournament Format
- Major tournaments with large prize pools motivate teams to give their best.
- Smaller competitions may see experiments and unexpected results.
- Teams’ Geography
- European and North American teams play consistently but unpredictably.
- Asian teams tend to have drawn-out matches.
- Teams from the CIS and South America often play aggressively.
Betting Specifics for Different Disciplines
Dota 2
- Analyze hero picks and team strategies.
- Consider the meta – which heroes are currently strong.
- Stay updated on game patches as they can significantly alter the balance of power.
CS:GO
- Take into account the map on which the match is played.
- Study teams’ round statistics – who wins pistol rounds more often, who performs better on attack/defense.
- Monitor players’ individual form – snipers and in-game leaders play crucial roles.
League of Legends
- Analyze champion pick rates.
- Observe how the team performs in the early and late game stages.
- Consider playstyle – aggressive teams often win early, while strategic teams excel in macro play.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Ignoring Statistics – Even if you have a favorite team, it’s better to base bets on facts rather than emotions.
- Overrating Bookmakers’ Odds – Analysts don’t always accurately assess the outcome probabilities.
- Betting on Insignificant Matches – Teams often experiment in these matches, making outcomes harder to predict.
- Chasing Losses – If a bet loses, don’t try to immediately recover losses. Instead, analyze mistakes and make a new, informed bet.
Conclusion
Esports betting is not just about gambling but a comprehensive system of analysis and strategies. To consistently win, you need to understand the disciplines, study teams, and grasp players’ psychology. Approach betting responsibly, analyze matches, and aim for profitability!