Tired of regular sports and want to try something new? Or are you a fan of the video game industry and want to leverage your knowledge? In both cases, betting on esports is a suitable solution.
Betting on esport
You can bet on esports just like any other sport
Electronic sports, cyber sports, progaming in video games, or simply esports is still a relatively new field that sportsbooks have only focused on in recent years. The rise in popularity, million-dollar prizes, and high demand have opened the doors to a completely new world for bettors. The first esports bettors were video game players themselves, but that’s no longer the case. Interesting betting markets and fast-paced, action-packed matches have attracted bettors from other fields. Just as a tennis match can make you money, so can a match in the video game Counter Strike. It’s just a matter of what you enjoy more and where you have better insight. And of course, where you find the best odds. Before we explain how to bet on esports, it’s important to show the difference between esports and traditional sports.
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Difference between esports and traditional sports
Two teams take the stage in the middle of a packed arena, with powerful gaming computers set up behind them. Two teams take the heated field, watched by crowds from the stands. A few perfectly timed mouse clicks decide the entire match. Skillful dribbles ending in a pass to an open player decide the entire match. How different is betting on esports from traditional sports? In the basic principle of betting, not much, but both worlds have their specifics. Esports tournaments are divided into LAN (players are present at the same location) and online (players are connected via the internet), and we all know that people perform differently from the comfort of their home (or gaming house) compared to under the pressure of cheering crowds. In traditional sports, players always have to meet face to face. The progaming scene and video game industry are constantly evolving, and this is reflected in the games themselves. Changes in updates can completely alter the style of the game; a new version brings different strategic possibilities. When betting on esports, it is important to also follow changes in game mechanics. Traditional sports, on the other hand, change very rarely. Football will have the same rules in six months as it does now, whereas heroes in League of Legends will be adjusted for balance. What things are the same for traditional sports and esports? Changes in teams happen regularly in both fields; the arrival of a new player can elevate the team to a whole new level. Also, gathering information is quite easy in today’s internet age – you just need to know the right sources. Another factor to consider is the pressure of major tournament matches: a young player who has performed brilliantly all season may shut down in front of a large audience and fail to fulfill their role as the team star.
Betting on esports
As we wrote above: the basic principle of betting does not change for esports. If you want to avoid gambling and take betting on esports seriously, there are a few rules to follow. Of course, you must first understand the general level of the successful bettor’s world, know how bookmakers work, and choose a suitable bookmaker or platform. Our website can help you with both, as it contains countless articles on these topics. You should also know the game you want to bet on, its specifics, and the teams in the league or tournament. It also pays to have a deeper insight into the progaming scene, so it is good to focus on regional competitions and get to know the teams and players, following them on social media.
Choose the right game
Perhaps the most important step in the entire process of betting on cybersports is choosing the right video game. Someone who doesn’t like basketball won’t bet on it. The same applies to betting on progaming matches. Do you prefer fast-paced action, realism, and firearms? Choose Counter Strike. Do you prefer magic and the importance of strategic decision-making? Try one of the MOBA titles. There are countless genres of esports games (yes, we also have an article on that!) and many options for bettors to choose from. Almost everyone can find something. And those who can’t? Maybe it’s better for them to stick to traditional sports. Each video game has its own specifics, and from that stems not only your betting strategy but also the list of betting opportunities. It should also be noted that the existence of a competitive scene for a title does not guarantee the possibility of betting on it (e.g., Teamfight Tactics or Hearthstone have their esports parts, but you will not find any betting opportunities on them).
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Choice of esports titles |
Betting opportunities
After choosing the right game, we can start betting. This means finding a suitable betting opportunity. Esports bookmakers (e.g., LOOT.BET) cover a large part of the progaming world, and the most common type of bet for each game is betting on the winner of the match. Better-covered cybersports games (even at local bookmakers) offer much more. Handicap bets can be found in several forms, depending on the type of game: kill handicap, map handicap, goal handicap… Generally, the rule is that if you can bet on the number of something (number of kills, number of goals, total number of maps played, number of rounds, number of dragons killed…), then there is also a handicap bet available. The biggest tournaments often have the widest range of betting opportunities, and these also relate to specific things like the number of kills of a particular player, in MOBA games betting on whether a specific hero will be picked or, for example, specialties like kills by grenade in CS. Each game has its own specific bets.
Combination of pre-match bets and live betting
Given that all esports competitions can be watched for free and online (live streams by bookmakers, on streaming platforms Twitch.tv or YouTube), it is very easy to combine pre-match betting with live betting. After analyzing a particular match, it is advisable to use pre-match odds and bet on the winner or the number of kills. With live bets, you can cleverly cover your original bets or expand them. Many tournaments are played in the form of Bo3 or Bo5 (best of 3, best of 5, meaning you need to win two maps to win the match), and you can judge the form of each team from the first map. Additionally, bets during the match can increase the attractiveness of the match, but it’s important not to forget about bankroll management. On our website, you can find not only reviews of bookmakers but also reviews of video game titles in which there is (or was) an esports scene. We also focus on the issue of betting on esports and progaming games, so if you want more useful information, feel free to check out our Esports section.
Best bookmakers for esports betting
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LOOT.BETBonus: €40 welcome bonus + €5 free bet |
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RabonaBonus: €100 welcome bonus |
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22BETBonus: €120 welcome bonus |
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