How to Bet on Esports

If you’re looking for betting variety, you’re in for some fun. Esports is the only area in sports betting where you can wager on a tense battle to defuse a bomb in the morning, followed by a high-stakes soccer match at lunch, and wrap-up with a fight between Nintendo characters that night.

But with so many options, it can be easy to get overwhelmed for new bettors who are just stepping into this scene for the first time. That’s where we come in. Our comprehensive guide for how to bet on esports goes over everything you need to know to get started, from the impact of meta shifts to the importance of managing your finances.

How to Read Esports Odds

Any esports betting guide should start with understanding the odds.

Esports odds follow the standard American odds format that you’ll encounter on US sportsbooks like FanDuel and DraftKings. In this format, odds are presented with a plus or minus sign, followed by a number. When you see a plus sign (+), it signifies the underdog, while a minus sign (-) denotes the favorite.

In terms of the number, if you’re betting on the underdog, this number represents the amount you can win on a $100 wager. And if you’re wagering on the favorite, the number represents the amount you need to bet to earn a $100 profit.

For example, in a Counter-Strike match, if Dignitas is the favorite (-150) against Fnatic (+200), it means you’d need to bet $150 on Dignitas to win $100, while a $100 bet on Fnatic could yield $200 in profit.

Which Esports Games Can You Bet On?

Esports offers many gaming options to bet on, catering to a wide range of tastes. Here are a few popular genres:

Shooting Games: Games like Counter-Strike, Call of Duty, and Fortnite are favored for their straightforward premise yet intricate strategies. Players or teams compete to eliminate opponents and accomplish specific objectives, making for compelling esports viewing.

MOBA (Multiplayer Online Battle Arena): Games such as League of Legends and Dota 2 involve two teams clashing on designated battlefields. Each player selects a unique hero with individual abilities that can be upgraded during matches, adding depth and strategy to the gameplay.

Fighting Games: Typically 1v1 esports, fighting games demand precise hand-eye coordination and strategy honed over the years. Titles like Super Smash Bros., Mortal Kombat, and Street Fighter have always captivated the esports community.

RTS (Real-Time Strategy): These games, including StarCraft and Age of Empires, emphasize real-time strategic decision-making as you construct armies or bases. Speed is of the essence, making for an exciting viewing experience.

Sports Games: If you love real-life sports, consider wagering on virtual versions. Esports adaptations of games like FIFA, NBA 2K, and Madden have vibrant communities with highly skilled players.

How Do Sportsbooks Set Esports Betting Lines?

Sports betting lines aren’t established via a rigid, one-size-fits-all formula; rather, they depend on the specific game. However, there are some consistent factors that sportsbooks scrutinize across the esports spectrum.

Recent Form: A team or player’s performance in their recent games or tournaments is pivotal. Is a player’s form deteriorating, or are they showing signs of instability? Have there been strategic shifts or noteworthy lineup changes that could impact their performance? Any new additions to the roster?

Meta Changes: Understanding game-specific metagame shifts is crucial. Have there been substantial changes or updates to gameplay mechanics? Adjustments like nerfs or buffs to particular heroes or weapons can significantly influence the landscape. Alterations in map layouts can also tip the balance in favor of one side.

Past Matchups: Analyzing historical clashes between teams or players is key. What were their previous strategies against each other? Which maps favored their gameplay? Insights from past encounters can offer valuable clues for setting betting lines.

By considering these elements, sportsbooks aim to create accurate and fair betting lines.

Esports Betting Examples

Esports is a category of betting that offers what can seem like an unlimited number of choices. With a boatload of bet types, you’ll have more options than you’ll know what to do with. To help get you started, we’ve put together some examples of the most common types of wagers you’re likely to come across in esports betting.

These examples are more than just showing you how the bet type works, but also the sort of reasoning you should utilize when making Esports bets.

Outright Winner

Outright winner bets in esports are akin to the moneyline bets in traditional sports. These bets revolve around predicting the winner or loser of a single game, making them an excellent starting point for beginners. They’re straightforward and don’t necessitate delving into intricate analytics.

Imagine an Overwatch match between the Shanghai Dragons and Dallas Fuel. A recent gameplay patch has severely affected Dallas Fuel’s performance by nerfing one of their key heroes, Widowmaker. In this case, you might place an outright winner bet on the Shanghai Dragons, given their potential advantage in the altered meta.

Tournament Winner

Tournament winner bets shift the focus from individual matches to the overall outcome of an esports competition. With these bets, you’re not predicting the winner of a single game but rather the team or player that will emerge victorious in an entire tournament or event.

This type of bet is less about the specific matchups in the tournament and more about assessing the overall skill, strategy, and form of the participants. Tournament winner bets are typically offered for major esports tournaments, such as the League of Legends Worlds, Dota 2’s The International, and the Overwatch League Grand Finals.

Let’s delve deeper into this concept using the League of Legends Worlds as an example. The tournament, featuring the best teams from around the globe, can be a hotbed of competitive gaming action. In this context, you might spot a team like Gen.G that has displayed exceptional form in recent events. This impressive track record leads you to believe that they possess the capabilities and consistency needed to clinch the world championship.

Odd/Evens Bets

Odd/even bets in esports add an element of unpredictability and excitement to your wagering experience. These bets are similar to flipping a coin, as you are essentially deciding whether the outcome will be an odd or even number of specific in-game occurrences, such as games won, player kills, or rounds played. They’re relatively simple wagers and are often placed for entertainment rather than serious betting.

In a Madden NFL esports tournament, the digital version of American football, you might place an odd/even bet on a player like Eric “Problem” Wright, speculating whether the total points he scores during the game will be an odd or even number. These bets are fun to engage with, as they rely more on chance and luck than extensive esports expertise.

Over/Under Bets

Over/under bets in esports center on specific statistical benchmarks, such as the number of rounds won, player kills, or objectives captured during a game or match. With these bets, you are essentially predicting whether the actual in-game statistics will surpass (over) or fall short of (under) the predetermined line set by the sportsbook. Over/under bets demand a deeper understanding of the game and its nuances, as well as a keen awareness of the capabilities and strategies of the teams or players involved.

Let’s take the example of the renowned Counter-Strike: Global Offensive sniper kennyS. In a match set on a map like Overpass, which is known for favoring AWP (sniper rifle) play, you might place an over/under bet on kennyS achieving over or under 21.5 kills during the match.

Skins/Item Betting

Skins and item betting introduce an innovative dimension to esports wagering. However, it’s essential to note that this type of betting occurs outside the scope of traditional sportsbooks, and we don’t recommend specific third-party websites, as the market remains relatively unregulated and can be risky.

The fundamental premise of skins and item betting is the use of in-game items and skins as a form of currency for placing wagers, typically involving straightforward bets on outright winners or tournament champions.

Let’s look at the esports community surrounding Team Fortress 2, a first-person shooter. This game features a thriving ecosystem of skins and customizable assets. Players can place their skins as wagers, and the winner typically receives additional skins or items as rewards. While this adds an extra layer of excitement to esports betting, exercise caution and conduct thorough research when exploring this unregulated arena.

First Blood/Kills

First blood or first kills bets in esports resemble their counterparts in traditional sports, such as the “first basket” in basketball or “first goal” in soccer. These bets revolve around predicting which player or team will secure the first kill in a match. When making first blood bets, it’s crucial to consider the aggressive tendencies of players and their likelihood of engaging the enemy first. Additionally, snipers, with their long-range capabilities and the potential for early kills, often become favored choices.

As an illustration, in an Overwatch match, you might place a first kill bet on a hero like Hanzo. Hanzo’s agility, long-range attacks, and the possibility of landing a lucky headshot make him a strong contender for securing the first kill.

Total Kills

Total kills bets in esports entail estimating the total number of kills a player will achieve throughout a match. When engaging in total kills betting, factors such as the player’s role within the team, their compatibility with the opponent, and the unique characteristics of the map they’re competing on play a pivotal role in your assessment.

In a game like League of Legends, the player with the most kills often occupies the mid lane. Therefore, you might consider placing a total kills bet on the mid laner of the stronger team if you anticipate a high number of kills.

Map Winner

Map winner bets provide a fascinating exploration into the nuances of the battleground itself, particularly in first-person shooter esports. Different maps favor distinct playstyles and strategies.

Let’s consider the map “Nuke” in Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS: GO). This map features a large open space, but the primary playable areas, including bomb sites, are predominantly close-quarters environments. Consequently, Nuke caters to players and teams proficient in short-range combat and rapid, synchronized attacks.

Total Maps Played

The number of maps played in esports mirrors the rounds in a boxing match. The more closely matched the opponents, the greater the likelihood of multiple maps being contested.

In high-stakes esports matchups, particularly when two top-tier teams face off, betting on the “over” for total maps is a prudent choice, indicating your belief that the game is likely to extend to its full potential, showcasing a fierce, closely-fought battle.

For example, in an intense Overwatch match between two of the world’s best teams, you might opt for the “over” regarding the total number of maps played, signifying your anticipation of a closely-fought contest that pushes the boundaries of the game’s competitive landscape.

Live Betting

Live betting, also known as in-play betting, is a fun feature in esports betting that enables you to place bets while a game or match is already in progress. This form of betting empowers bettors to adapt their wagers based on real-time developments.

In esports, live betting is particularly valuable because it allows you to observe the unfolding strategies and tactics employed by the teams before making critical betting decisions.

Consider a StarCraft match as an example. As the match progresses and strategies evolve, you can use this real-time insight to make informed and strategic bets, capitalizing on ever-changing game dynamics.

Esports Betting Tips

Before you go off and start betting on your favorite games, we have a few tips for you to make sure you go about it responsibly. These aren’t going to make you an overnight success, but they will help you manage your money and make smart decisions that will leave you better off in the long term as you learn how to bet on esports in the US.

Stick To Your Favorites

When it comes to making money in esports betting, our top advice is simple: stick to what you know and understand best. The world of esports offers a plethora of popular titles, each with its unique gameplay and nuances. It’s easy to be lured into betting on beloved games that you don’t play or understand deeply.

However, the wise move is to take a step back and only place bets in familiar territory. If you’ve spent hundreds of hours mastering Valorant, for instance, consider betting exclusively on that game. This approach ensures you maintain an in-depth understanding of the game’s mechanics, maps, and shifting meta gameplay, allowing you to make more informed and calculated bets.

Follow the Meta

In the ever-evolving world of esports, staying informed about the meta is crucial. Major updates and patches can disrupt the established meta, breathing new life into underutilized elements and strategies. To maximize your success in esports betting, scrutinize each team’s playstyle and assess how updates might impact their game.

Does a specific weapon or hero buff favor a particular team’s strategy? Or has a once-dominant approach lost its edge due to nerfs or meta shifts? This meta knowledge allows you to anticipate surprises and adapt your bets accordingly.

If a prominent hero like Sigma finally gets nerfed in Overwatch, consider betting against players who heavily rely on her in upcoming tournaments, as they must adapt to new heroes or endure reduced damage output.

Maps Matter

Especially in first-person shooter (FPS) esports, delving into the intricacies of map selection and its impact on gameplay is a strategic move. By researching and familiarizing yourself with teams’ strengths and weaknesses on different maps, you can make well-informed betting decisions.

Some teams excel on specific maps that align with their preferred playstyles, providing them with a strategic advantage and the opportunity to exploit their opponent’s weaknesses. Understanding these tendencies provides a significant edge when it comes to predicting match outcomes.

If you know that a particular CS: GO team consistently overperforms on Cobblestone, a map that emphasizes strategic play, you might consider placing a bet on them when Mirage is in the map pool.

Never Forget the Finances

In esports betting, it’s vital to view the journey as a marathon, not a sprint. Amid the continuous stream of esports events throughout the year, effective bankroll management is your secret weapon. Start by setting a clear budget and, most importantly, stick to it. While early-season tournaments may be tempting, depleting your betting resources prematurely leaves you vulnerable when critical competitions roll around.

If you’re enticed to wager on a smaller seasonal Dota 2 tournament, make sure you reserve enough of your bankroll to bet on major events and grand finals later on. Spreading your betting capital throughout the year ensures you remain engaged in the action and guards against the risk of depleting your funds all at once.

Remember, in esports betting, discipline and careful money management are keys to long-term success.