In the last couple of years, esports, or competitive video gaming, has grown exponentially and developed into an enormous industry with fans numbering in the millions around the globe. Along with ongoing growth in popularity comes the growth of interest by many in the betting on esports events. Whether one is an up-and-coming or experienced bettor in other sports, experience and insight into this unique world of esports betting are going to be principal in making informed decisions. This esports betting guide will walk you through the essentials: how to bet on esports, esports betting tips, key games, and strategies necessary to be successful.
What is esports betting?
It involves the placing of wagers on professional video gaming events. It works just like traditional sports, betting on the outcome of the match, performance of players during individual matches, and within-the-game events. However, there is some nature of esports that brings in its factors peculiar to it: the continuously changing meta, strategies or techniques that rule gameplay, game updates, and individual skill from the players.
Popular esports games are many and varied, and they all can be united into several big groups like FPS, RTS, MOBA, and others. Each game requires another approach to betting since each of them has a different goal of the game, rules, and type of play. Understanding these distinctions is key to placing successful bets.
Types of Bets in Esports
Following are some common types of bets in esports:
- Moneyline Bets: Placed on who you feel will win either the team or the player, just like in any other old traditional sport.
- Handicap Betting: A high side advantage is always awarded to one of the sides, which evens up the betting odds between the two teams.
- Totals: Also referred to as Over/Under, where you will be placing a bet on whether an overall score, such as kills or points, goes over or under a set amount.
- Prop Bets: These are bets that involve specific occurrences of a certain match, such as which player makes the first kill or which team wins the first round.
Best Esports Games to Bet On
A number of esports games are well-covered by huge followings; these games come with ample opportunities to bet. Each game exists in its own ecosystem, and thus each game breeds different betting strategies based on game mechanics and objects.
1. League of Legends – LoL
This is one of the most widespread esports games in the world. In this MOBA game, two teams of five players each go up against one another with the main objective of destroying the base of the opposing team. Betting on LoL includes understanding team dynamics, individual player strengths, and the meta-a concept likely to change with every update that comes out for the game.
2. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive – CS
This FPS has been one staple in the esports scene for years. In CS, two teams come into play-terrorists versus counter-terrorists-competing against each other in rounds with particular objectives like planting or defusing bombs. To be successful in one’s bets, it is important to know the maps, player skills, and strategies that teams use.
3. Dota 2
Yet another MOBA game, Dota 2 is known for its complexity and deep strategy. Just like LoL, it involves two teams of five players trying to destroy the opponent’s base. The Dota 2 betting scene is very busy, with a lot of tournaments throughout the year, including the annual event called The International, boasting the biggest prize pool ever in esports history.
4. Call of Duty (CoD)
As one of the most popular FPS games, Call of Duty contains a number of different competitive formats based on the mode of the game in question, be it Search & Destroy or Hardpoint. The most common ways to bet on CoD revolve around understanding the strategy of individual teams and their adaptability in different game modes.
5. Overwatch
Overwatch is a team-based shooter with a colorful cast of characters, each possessing special abilities. When betting on Overwatch, one has to consider the varying team compositions and how those counter one another. The meta of the game can do a complete flip pretty fast.
Key Strategies for Esports Betting
Betting on esports is not at all guesswork but a game that requires knowledge, patience, and multi-factor analysis. Here’s all you need to know when you place your bet:
1. Research the Teams and Players
Just like in traditional sports, teams and players in esports have their strengths, weaknesses, and preferred methods of play. Knowing how a team performs against certain opponents or in specific game modes can perhaps give you an edge when it comes to placing a bet. Sites offering statistical insight and match histories are invaluable resources to research from.
2. Follow the Meta
The meta refers to the strong strategies or characters being utilized in the game during any given period. Since games like League of Legends and Dota 2 are frequently updated, what worked last month may not work anymore. Keep yourself updated with the latest patches, character buffs/nerfs, and strategy changes so that you can make a more educated bet on which team you feel will win. Events change.
3. Stick to a Couple of Games
With all the various games to bet on, it can be very tempting to spread your attention across an array of titles. You will see, though, that it pays much more to specialize in one or two games to increase your knowledge and expertise. This way, you can make more educated decisions based on how those particular games go.
4. Watch Live Games
It helps not only in understanding the flow and pace of the game, but also in understanding how a team or player does under pressure. For live streaming, Twitch is an excellent example where you can watch e-sport tournaments in real time, which will give you an edge over others to recognize probable bet opportunities.
5. Keep Track of Your Bets
It is very necessary to write down all the bets you make, writing out how many wins or losses you have incurred, why you made those choices, and any patterns you think may be occurring. This way, your monitoring will give you a good grounding for perfecting your approach as time goes along and not repeating those mistakes on more than one occasion.
Conclusion
While esports betting is a fun, fast-moving industry, to succeed with it requires a firm understanding of the games, the teams, and the ever-changing meta. By following the strategies in this guide and continually educating yourself on the nuances of each game, you will be able to set up your chances for success in making successful bets.
At Wisebet, it’s all about taking pride in our mission of helping you be better as a bettor. Our expert views, tips, and fresh analyses form the perfect base for making wiser decisions when you actually go ahead and bet on esports. Whether you are an amateur in this or a well-seasoned bettor, be sure that Wisebet will accompany you every step of the way!