Esports Betting for Beginners: How to Bet on Pro Gaming Tournaments
A few years ago, if you told someone you spent your weekend watching people play video games, they’d probably raise an eyebrow. But times have changed—drastically. Esports, or professional competitive gaming, is a global phenomenon today, with millions of viewers and prize pools that rival major sporting events. As expected, this rise has naturally paved the way for a booming esports betting scene.
So, esports is no longer limited to just watching professional gamers compete. Just like you’d find match odds IPL and other traditional sports events, several bookmakers now cover betting markets for popular esports games like CS: GO, Dota 2, League of Legends, and more.
If you’re new to the world of esports and curious about how betting on these events works, you’re in the right place. This guide breaks down the basics of esports betting and walks you through how to place your first wager.
What Is Esports Betting?
Esports betting is simply placing bets on the outcomes of competitive video game matches or tournaments. It works just like traditional sports betting. You can bet on who wins a match, how many rounds a team will win, or even on specific in-game events. The only real difference is the arena. Instead of a physical pitch or court, it’s a digital battlefield.
Below are some popular esports games:
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- Dota 2: A strategic, five-versus-five multiplayer game where teams battle to destroy the enemy’s base. (Major Tournament: The International)
- League of Legends (LoL): Another team-based game where players control champions and work together to take down the opposing team’s base. (Major Tournament: League of Legends World Championship)
- Counter-Strike 2 (CS2): A first-person shooter game where two teams, terrorists and counter-terrorists, compete to complete objectives like bomb planting or hostage rescue. (Major Tournament: BLAST Premier)
- Call of Duty (CoD): A fast-action shooter game known for its military themes and team modes. Competitive matches are held in a franchised league. (Major Tournament: Call of Duty League Championship)
- FIFA / EA FC: A realistic football (soccer) simulation game where players control teams to compete in virtual matches. (Major Tournament: EA Sports FC Pro World Championship)
Types of Esports Bets
As a beginner esports bettor, you need to start with the basics. Below are some of the most popular bet types to help you get started:
- Match Winner: You bet on which team or player will win a specific match.
- Tournament Winner (Outright): You’re predicting the champion of an entire tournament.
- Map Winner: Esports games often consist of multiple rounds or “maps.” You can bet on which team or player wins a particular map.
- First Kill/First Blood: Place a bet on which team gets the first kill.
- Total Maps or Rounds (Over/Under): Bet on whether the total number of maps or rounds played will be over or under a certain number.
How to Get Started
Follow the simple five-step guide below to get started with esports betting:
Choose a Trusted Esports Betting Site
Like traditional sports betting, it’s advisable to use a reputable sportsbook with an extensive esports wagering market. Your chosen site must hold a valid license from recognized authorities, such as the Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao, or the UKGC. To determine the reliability of a bookmaker and the quality of its services, check online for user reviews and ratings, especially from trusted forums like Trustpilot. Be on the lookout for repeated complaints, slow withdrawals, or poor customer service. Also, check for consistent positive feedback, especially around quick payouts and fair odds.
Create an Account
Once you identify a betting platform, the next step is to sign up. Some of these platforms will require that you verify your identity by uploading a government-issued ID.
Fund Your Account
The next step is funding your account. The best platforms support multiple payment methods, including credit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrencies. However, remember to only bet with money you can afford to lose.
Explore Upcoming Tournaments
Before placing any bets, it’s important to understand the esports landscape. If you’re new to the scene, take time to research upcoming tournaments, watch match highlights, and study team and player statistics. Familiarize yourself with the game formats, tournament structures, and recent performances—this knowledge is key to making informed betting decisions.
Place Your First Bet
Once you’ve built your knowledge and familiarity with esports, you can go ahead to place your first bet. Your first wagers, however, should be more about learning than making a profit.
Important Tips for Esports Betting
Like traditional sports betting, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of esports wagering. However, going in with sheer excitement only results in losses in the long run. That’s why you must apply knowledge, caution, and discipline when placing wagers on esports events. Below are some important tips to follow to increase your chances of success.
Do your research
It’s foolish to bet on a game, team, or player about whom you know nothing or not enough. So, always do your research. Know the teams and the players, and find out their stats, form, recent performances, and any other relevant data that can inform your betting decisions.
Watch esports matches
As part of your research, spend time watching esports games. This will help you understand how the game is played, how teams approach different situations, and which players consistently perform under pressure, among other things. Over time, this insight will inform your wagers more and reduce the guesswork.
Don’t chase losses
Chasing losses is a common problem in sports betting. No matter how good you are, you’ll lose money. When this happens, there is a natural urge to attempt to win money back. However, this is a slippery slope that will only result in more losses. Instead, come up with a budget that you will always stick to, whether you win or lose. This will protect you from running through your bankroll.
Bet only what you can afford to lose
The importance of this rule cannot be stressed enough. Betting should never feel like a financial strategy or a way to make quick money. It’s something you should do for fun and with money you’re comfortable parting with. Once you start dipping into funds meant for essentials, it stops being a game and becomes a problem. Set limits, stick to them, and always walk away when it stops feeling enjoyable.
Start with the simple bets
Start with the simple bets, such as match winners and tournament winners. Your chances of winning with these are higher since they are easy to understand. Leave the complex combo bets for when you’ve gotten more experience.
Conclusion
Esports betting brings a new level of engagement to the gaming experience. It turns your passion for watching pro tournaments into an interactive and potentially rewarding pastime. Remember, having a solid understanding of the games, players, teams, and betting markets is the key to long-term success. Also, always remember to bet responsibly.
