Esports Betting Guide: How to Bet on Competitive Gaming
Enter the world of esports betting. Learn about popular games like CS2, Dota 2, and League of Legends, understand bet types, and find the best esports odds.
Bet Awards Team
Expert Reviewer
Esports has exploded into a billion-dollar industry, and betting on competitive gaming is now as popular as traditional sports betting. Whether you're into shooters, MOBAs, or battle royales, this guide will help you get started.
What is Esports Betting?
Esports betting is wagering on professional video game competitions. Just like traditional sports, you can bet on match winners, tournament champions, and various in-game events.
Popular Esports to Bet On
🎮 Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)
The most popular esport for betting. Teams of 5 compete in tactical shooter rounds.
- Match winner
- Map winner
- Total rounds (over/under)
- First to X rounds
- Pistol round winner
🎮 Dota 2
Complex MOBA with massive prize pools, including The International tournament.
- Match winner
- Map handicap
- First blood
- Total kills
- Tower/Roshan kills
🎮 League of Legends (LoL)
The world's most-played MOBA with huge global leagues.
- Match/Map winner
- First dragon/baron
- Total kills
- Game duration
🎮 Valorant
Riot's tactical shooter with growing competitive scene.
🎮 Other Popular Titles
- Call of Duty
- Rocket League
- FIFA/EA FC
- Overwatch 2
- Starcraft II
📊 Types of Esports Bets
- Match Winner: Pick which team wins the match
- Map Winner: Bet on individual maps in a series
- Handicap: Give/take map or round advantage
- Totals: Over/under on rounds, kills, or maps
- Outright: Tournament winner
- Live Betting: Bet during matches as odds shift
Tips for Esports Betting Success
1. Follow the Scene
- Watch matches regularly on Twitch/YouTube
- Follow team news and roster changes
- Understand meta shifts (game updates that change strategies)
- Know head-to-head records
2. Understand Map Pools (CS2/Valorant)
Teams have preferred maps and weak maps. This can heavily influence match outcomes.
3. Consider Regional Differences
Different regions have different playstyles:
- CIS teams often play aggressive
- European teams tend to be tactical
- Asian teams in LoL/Dota are historically strong
4. Check Tournament Format
- Single elimination vs. double elimination
- Best of 1, 3, or 5
- Group stage vs. playoffs
Best Platforms for Esports Betting
- 1xBet - Best esports coverage and odds (code: 1x_4199785)
- Stake - Great for live esports betting (code: faJ0Es7P)
- 1win - Excellent esports section (code: betawards)
- MelBet - Wide game variety (code: ml_1802491)
Getting Started
Pick one game you know well and start there. Watch professional matches, learn the teams, and make small bets to get comfortable before increasing your stakes.
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