Esports Betting

Types of Esports Betting

Esports betting encompasses a variety of betting options that allow individuals to wager on competitive video game tournaments and events. Here are some common types of esports betting:

Match Winner/Outcome

Match Winner/Outcome is the most common and straightforward type of esports bet. In this type of bet, you are simply predicting the winner of a specific match or series. Let’s break it down further:

1. Single Match Winner: In a single match, you choose which team or player you believe will win. For example, if there’s a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) match between Team A and Team B, you would bet on either Team A or Team B to come out as the victor. If your chosen team wins, your bet is successful, and you receive the payout based on the odds set by the bookmaker.

2. Best-of-Series Winner: In many esports tournaments, matches are played in a series format, such as best-of-three (Bo3) or best-of-five (Bo5). In these cases, you are betting on the team or player that will win the entire series rather than just an individual match. For example, if it’s a Bo3 series, you may bet on either Team A or Team B to win two out of the three matches. If your chosen team wins the series, your bet is successful.

It’s important to consider the odds provided by the bookmaker when placing Match Winner/Outcome bets. The odds reflect the perceived strength or skill level of each team or player. A favorite will typically have lower odds, while an underdog will have higher odds. This helps determine the potential payout you could receive if your bet is successful.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting, also known as spread betting, is a type of wagering that involves giving one team or player a virtual advantage or disadvantage to even out the odds of the match. It is commonly used in esports betting to make the betting options more balanced when there is a perceived skill imbalance between the competing teams or players. Here’s how handicap betting works:

1. Positive Handicap (+): When a team or player is given a positive handicap, it means they are the underdogs, and the bookmaker gives them a virtual advantage in the match. The handicap is added to their final score or performance. To win the bet, the team or player must either win or lose by a margin smaller than the handicap. For example:

   • Team A: +1.5
   • Team B: -1.5

   In this scenario, if you bet on Team A, they must either win the match or lose by a margin of fewer than 1.5 rounds or maps for your bet to be successful. If Team A loses by exactly 1 round or map, it results in a draw or push, and your stake is refunded.

2. Negative Handicap (-): When a team or player is given a negative handicap, it means they are the favorites, and the bookmaker gives their opponents a virtual advantage. The handicap is subtracted from their final score or performance. To win the bet, the team or player must win by a margin greater than the handicap. For example:

   • Team A: -2.5
   • Team B: +2.5

   In this case, if you bet on Team A, they must win the match by a margin of 3 or more rounds or maps for your bet to be successful. If Team A wins by exactly 2 rounds or maps, it results in a draw or push, and your stake is refunded.

Handicap betting allows you to bet on matches where one team or player is significantly favored over the other, making the odds more competitive and appealing for bettors. It creates more betting opportunities and helps balance the perceived skill gap between the competitors.

Totals/Over-Under

Totals/Over-Under betting, also known as “totals” or “OU” betting, is a popular type of wager in esports betting. In this type of bet, you predict whether a certain statistic or parameter of a match or event will be over or under a specific number set by the bookmaker. Here’s how Totals/Over-Under betting works:

1. Total Maps/Rounds: This is the most common form of Totals/Over-Under betting in esports. The bookmaker sets a specific number representing the total maps or rounds that will be played in a match. Your task is to predict whether the actual number will be over or under that predetermined value. For example:

   • Total Maps: Over/Under 2.5
   • Total Rounds: Over/Under 26.5

   If you bet on “Over 2.5 maps,” you win if the match goes to three or more maps. If you bet on “Under 26.5 rounds,” you win if the match concludes with 26 rounds or fewer.

2. Total Kills/Points/Score: In some esports titles, you can bet on the total kills, points, or score achieved by teams or players in a match. The bookmaker sets a specific number, and you predict whether the actual result will be over or under that value. For example:

   • Total Kills: Over/Under 50.5
   • Total Points: Over/Under 150.5

   If you bet on “Over 50.5 kills,” you win if the total kills in the match exceed 50.5. If you bet on “Under 150.5 points,” you win if the total points earned by both teams are 150 or fewer.

The specific parameters and statistics can vary depending on the esports title and the bookmaker. Common examples include total rounds, maps, kills, assists, deaths, gold earned, objectives taken, or any other measurable parameter relevant to the game.

Totals/Over-Under betting allows you to focus on the overall performance or outcome of a match rather than the specific winner. It adds excitement and engagement to the betting experience by inviting you to predict whether the final result will be above or below a certain threshold.

Map/Round Betting

Map/Round betting is a popular type of wager in esports betting, particularly in games that are played on a series of individual maps or rounds. In this type of bet, you predict the outcome of a specific map or round within a match. Here’s how Map/Round betting works:

1. Map Winner: In esports titles where matches are played on multiple maps, you can bet on the winner of a specific map. For example, if there’s a CS:GO match between Team A and Team B, and it’s a best-of-three series, you can bet on the winner of each individual map within the series. This allows you to focus on the performance of teams on specific maps and make more precise predictions.

2. Round Winner: Some esports games, such as Valorant or Rainbow Six Siege, are played in a round-based format. In these games, you can bet on the winner of a specific round. This adds another layer of excitement and engagement to the betting experience, as you can focus on the micro-level outcomes within a match.

3. First Blood: First Blood refers to the first kill that occurs in a game or round. You can bet on which team or player will get the first kill. It’s a quick and intense bet that often happens within the opening moments of a match or round.

4. Pistol Round Winner: In games like CS:GO, the pistol round is the first round of a half, and it’s often considered crucial for setting the momentum. You can bet on the team that will win the pistol round. This bet focuses specifically on the outcome of the initial round.

Map/Round betting allows you to engage with specific moments or segments within a match, adding excitement and variety to your wagering experience. It requires a deeper understanding of the teams, their strategies, and their performance on specific maps or rounds.

Tournament Winner/Outright Betting

Tournament Winner/Outright Betting is a type of wager in esports betting where you predict the overall winner of an entire tournament or league. Instead of focusing on individual matches or maps, you are placing a bet on the team or player who will emerge as the champion of the entire competition. Here’s how Tournament Winner/Outright Betting works:

1. Tournament Winner: In this type of bet, you choose the team or player you believe will win the entire tournament. For example, if there’s a major Dota 2 tournament, you can bet on the team you think will be crowned as the champion of the event. Similarly, in a fighting game tournament, you can bet on the player you expect to come out on top.

2. League Winner: Some esports competitions are organized in league formats, where teams or players compete against each other over a series of matches. In this case, you can bet on the team or player who will finish at the top of the league standings. For instance, you can bet on the team you believe will win the regular season of a League of Legends league.

Tournament Winner/Outright Betting offers a long-term betting opportunity that spans the entire duration of the tournament or league. It requires a broader understanding of the participating teams or players, their overall performance, and their consistency throughout the competition.

It’s important to note that the odds for Tournament Winner/Outright Betting can change as the tournament progresses, reflecting the performances of the teams or players. Typically, the earlier you place your bet, the higher the potential payout, as odds tend to decrease as the tournament nears its conclusion.

Live/In-Play Betting

Live/In-Play Betting is a type of wagering that allows you to place bets on esports matches or events while they are in progress. Unlike traditional pre-match betting, live betting enables you to react to the unfolding action and make bets in real-time. Here’s how Live/In-Play Betting works:

1. Real-Time Odds: When you engage in live betting, the odds are continuously updated throughout the match or event to reflect the current state of play. The bookmaker adjusts the odds based on the in-game situation, such as the score, time remaining, or performance of the teams or players.

2. Changing Betting Options: As the match progresses, the available betting options may change. For example, you may have the opportunity to bet on the outcome of the next round or map, the team to secure the next objective, or the player to achieve the next kill. The range of live betting options depends on the bookmaker and the specific esports event.

3. Dynamic Betting: Live betting offers a dynamic and interactive experience, allowing you to assess the flow of the game before placing your bets. You can consider factors like momentum shifts, individual player performance, strategies employed, or any other developments that impact the match outcome.

4. Instant Results: One of the advantages of live betting is that you receive instant results. As soon as the specific outcome you bet on occurs, the result is determined, and the corresponding payouts or losses are adjusted accordingly.

Live/In-Play Betting provides an immersive and engaging experience for esports enthusiasts. It allows you to adjust your strategies and make informed decisions based on the ongoing match developments. It can also offer opportunities for hedging or modifying existing pre-match bets to mitigate potential losses or secure profits.

It’s important to note that live betting requires quick decision-making, as odds can change rapidly during the match. Additionally, internet connectivity and speed are crucial factors for a smooth live betting experience, as you need to place your bets in real-time.

Fantasy Esports

Fantasy Esports is a form of interactive online gaming where participants assemble virtual teams of professional esports players and compete against each other based on the statistical performance of those players in real-world esports events. It allows fans to engage with esports on a more personal level and adds an extra layer of excitement to the viewing experience. Here’s how Fantasy Esports works:

1. Team Selection: Participants in Fantasy Esports typically have a budget or a limited number of credits to draft their virtual team. They choose players from a pool of professional esports athletes who are competing in upcoming matches or tournaments. Each player has a designated value based on their skill level and performance history.

2. Scoring System: Fantasy Esports platforms have scoring systems that assign points to players based on their in-game performance. Points are awarded for various actions and achievements, such as kills, assists, objectives, gold earned, or other relevant statistics depending on the game being played. The scoring system may vary depending on the platform or the specific league.

3. Competing against Others: Once participants have assembled their teams, they compete against other fantasy players in leagues or tournaments. The goal is to accumulate the most points based on the statistical performance of their selected players in real esports events.

4. Follow Real-World Events: Fantasy Esports participants track the real-world esports events in which their selected players are competing. They closely follow the matches, tournaments, and player performances to see how their fantasy team is faring in terms of points.

5. Prizes and Rankings: Participants are ranked based on their team’s performance and the total points earned. Some Fantasy Esports platforms offer prizes for the top-performing participants, while others may have rewards or recognition for achieving specific milestones or accomplishments.

Fantasy Esports provides an interactive and immersive experience for fans, allowing them to showcase their knowledge of professional esports players and teams. It encourages engagement with the esports community and fosters competition among fantasy players. Overall, Fantasy Esports offers a unique and enjoyable way to engage with esports, combining strategy, statistical analysis, and the thrill of competition.