Over the last two decades, esports has gained international notoriety, and millions tune in to streaming services like Twitch to watch gamers compete. Just like with physical sports, betting on esports has also become very popular.

eSports Betting Guide: How to make smarter eSports bets

As esports become more and more popular, so does esports betting. In this guide, we will explore how esports betting works, the different games and types of esports bets there are, and tips on how best to enjoy esports betting.

Understanding esports

esports are organized video game competitions, where players from around the world compete in a tournament for a cash prize. Many popular video games have a professional or semi-professional competitive element.

The origins of esports can be traced back to the early 2000s in South Korea when gaming clubs held competitions based on games like Starcraft. From this, a regulatory body called KeSPA was developed, and competitions started to be televised. Over the last two decades, esports has gone international, and millions tune in to streaming services like Twitch to watch gamers compete. Just like with physical sports, betting on esports is also very popular.

Popular esports to bet on

Dota 2 betting

Dota 2 is the hugely popular sequel to Defense of the Ancients. It was released in 2013 and remains one of the biggest games for esports. The game is a multiplayer online battle arena (or MOBA) where two teams of five attempt to defend their bases while destroying targets in the other team's base.

The game's International tournaments draw in huge numbers of viewers, with over 2 million people watching 2022's event in Singapore.

League of Legends (LOL) betting

The 2009 release League of Legends (often abbreviated to LOL or League) was inspired by Defense of the Ancients and is the main competitor of Dota 2. LOL is a MOBA game and shares many of the same mechanics as Dota 2 as well as a fantasy setting on another planet.

Major esports tournaments

There are many popular esports tournaments, and currently over 500 million viewers of esports globally.

One of the most popular tournaments is Dota 2's annual The International — whether just watching or placing bets, Dota 2 is one of the most popular esports for spectators. With over 2.7 million viewers in 2021, The International is the most-watched esports tournament ever.

Dota 2's main competitor, LOL, also has a hugely successful tournament — The League of Legends World Championship, which has a prize pool of $6.7 million.

When it comes to first-person shooters, CS:GO's Majors tournament is one of the longest-running esports tournaments of all time and continues to grow. The Call of Duty League is also incredibly popular and becoming increasingly so. Since 2019, the Fortnite World Cup has become one of the biggest esports tournaments, with over 2 million watching events.

With new games constantly being released and esports becoming more and more popular, the opportunities are endless on what kind of tournaments we'll see in the coming years.

Types of esports bets

There are various types of esports bets, and some only apply to certain types of games or tournaments. Here are some of the most common:

Match winner

The most common and popular bet is on which player or team wins the match.

Outright winner

This type of bet is based on which team will win an entire tournament.

Draw

This type of esports bet involves betting on if the match ends in a draw or tie.

Handicap bet

In a Handicap bet, the sportsbook places a margin (also known as a "line") that gives a team with unfavorable odds an advantage to equalize the odds. This is only possible when there are just two teams in a match or tournament.

Over/Under

The Over/Under bet involves betting on a specific statistic, such as total kills or combined score, and whether or not the actual number will be higher or lower than the sportsbook's odds.

Total rounds

This type of bet is based on whether the match will exceed a specific number of rounds.

First blood

The first blood bet involves betting on which team or player will have the first kill of the match.

Map winner

This bet is possible with games like Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, and Dota 2. It involves betting on which team wins a match on a particular map.

esports betting odds

esports odds can seem confusing at first — if you check out CS:GO gambling sites without understanding the odds, you might find it difficult to understand the CS:GO betting odds displayed. esports betting odds work the same way regardless of the game, although different sites might use a different odds format.

esports betting odds work the same way as betting odds for physical sports. Odds are based on the probability, which is determined by ESPN BET, and can be displayed either in decimal, fractional, or American format.

Decimal odds are shown as a single number, so if this number is 4, you could win $4 for every dollar that you stake. Fractional odds are displayed differently, but the concept is the same — these same odds would be shown as 4/1 fractionally. An "even bet" — where the chances of either outcome are considered equal, would be displayed as 2 or 2/1.

American odds are slightly more complicated. They're based on a figure of $100 and then shown as positive or negative, depending on whether an outcome is favored or favored. For example, a favored bet might be displayed as -200, meaning that the chances are you would have to stake $200 in order to win only $100. An unfavored, or underdog, bet of +200 would mean that the odds were that you could win $200 in addition to your $100 stake.

Factors to consider when betting on esports matches

When betting on esports matches or tournaments, there are a few factors to consider:

• One is the recent performance of the teams and players in question — following the sport (and the latest news about it) closely can give you a better idea of this. How teams and players have historically performed on the game maps in question is also worth considering.

• The tournament's structure and format (for example, knockout or round-robin) are also relevant. How many teams are involved and the size of the prize pool can also affect how tournaments play out.

• Finally, it's essential to understand how esports betting odds work and how much money you could potentially win or lose with each bet.

esports betting tips

Although different games vary in their specifics, these esports betting tips apply to most games:

Choose your game wisely

It's almost always best to bet on a game that you are familiar with and understand well. Not only are you more likely to enjoy spectating if you understand the game's rules and mechanics, but you're probably more likely to do well.

Follow teams and players

Similarly to how betting on games you're familiar with is recommended, the same applies to teams and players. A good understanding of the players involved can help you understand if a site is offering good odds.

Set a budget

Just like with any kind of betting, it's always best to set a budget for your esports betting. You can also go into your account and set a Limit on the amount you can spend per bet or for specific timeframes.

Try live betting

While prematch esports bets are recommended for beginners, as you become more familiar with games you can try live esports betting. Not only can this enhance the experience of spectating, but it can also let you use a more tactical approach.

Explore different types of esports bets

There are many types of esports bets, as described earlier in this article. Trying out different types can help you find out your favorites and which ones you're the best at.

Choose your timing wisely

Timing can be crucial for placing esports bets. Wagering too early can mean your chosen player or team gets knocked out of a tournament quickly, but leaving it to the last minute can mean that the odds aren't worth it.

Reasons To Bet With ESPN BET

There are many reasons to bet with ESPN BET. These include a reliable support team that’s available 24/7 for any and all mobile betting concerns, a responsibility to maintain player safety and security, as well as a responsibility to uphold regulated betting standards.

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esports bets FAQs

Can I bet on esports matches live in real time?

Yes, ESPN BET does offer live betting on select esports matches.

What are the biggest esports tournaments to bet on?

Tournaments like the CS:GO Majors, Fortnite World Cup, and Dota 2's International all draw many thousands of viewers and offer huge prize pools.

Can I bet on individual players in esports matches?

If you're interested in betting on streamers or other specific players rather than whole teams, many sites offer this option.

Can I bet on esports using my mobile device?

Yes, you can download ESPN BET from the App Store or Google Play Store to begin betting from your phone or tablet.

What resources are available for responsible esports betting?

To learn how to bet responsibly, you can check out the resources on ESPN BET.