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Placing Wagers on Electronic Sports Competitions: A Guide

Growing interest in wagers on electronic sports within the betting sector, as traditional video games were once overlooked.

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Guidelines for Wagering on Electronic Sports Competitions
Guidelines for Wagering on Electronic Sports Competitions

Placing Wagers on Electronic Sports Competitions: A Guide

Esports Betting: A New Frontier in Sports Wagering

Esports, the competitive world of video gaming, has exploded in popularity, surpassing the fan base of traditional sports [1]. As a result, the betting industry has taken notice, with major bookmakers now offering esports betting markets [2]. Here's a guide to the key types of esports bets and strategies for success.

Esports Betting Types

Esports betting works similarly to traditional sports betting, with various possible outcomes in competitive video game matches or tournaments. Common types of esports bets include:

  • Moneyline Bets: Simply betting on which team or player wins.
  • Spread Betting: A handicap is applied to balance odds between favorites and underdogs, e.g., a team must win by a specific margin for a bet to pay out.
  • Totals (Over/Under): Betting on whether combined statistics (like total rounds in CS:GO or kills in Dota 2) will be over or under a set number.
  • Prop Bets: Focusing on specific in-game events or player performance, such as the first kill or number of kills by a player.
  • Futures: Placing wagers on the outcome of a tournament weeks or months ahead.
  • Live Betting: Wagering on outcomes during a match with odds that update in real time based on gameplay [1][2][3][5].

Making Money from Esports Betting

To make money from esports betting, strategies include:

  1. Research and Knowledge: A deep understanding of specific esports titles, teams, players, current form, game meta, and patch updates improves your ability to make informed bets.
  2. Value Betting: Identifying bets where the odds offered by sportsbooks underestimate the true probability, especially through early markets or futures.
  3. Specializing in Specific Markets: Focusing on certain game titles, bet types (e.g., prop bets), or tournaments where you have greater expertise can yield advantage.
  4. Live Betting With Momentum Reading: Capitalizing on shifts in gameplay during live matches by placing bets as momentum changes.
  5. Bankroll Management: Controlling bet sizes and not chasing losses to maintain long-term profitability.
  6. Using Spread and Totals Betting: Sometimes safer than picking outright winners, especially in close matches or when unsure of the overall outcome.
  7. Leveraging Parlay Bets Cautiously: Combining multiple bets for higher payouts, but being aware that all parts must win.
  8. Keeping Up With Esports News and Rosters: Early markets may offer better odds before lineup changes are confirmed [1][2][5].

Cautions and Considerations

Bookmakers are cautious about accepting large sums on certain esports tournaments, preferring to accept bets only on well-known and prestigious competitions [4]. Rumors about fixed matches in esports, especially in minor tournaments, have been circulating [6]. It's better to refrain from betting on suspicious matches to avoid potential losses due to manipulation.

In Dota 2, bookmakers do not offer a total because the match lasts until one team wins two maps [3]. In Counter-Strike, bookmakers offer a total of rounds, allowing bettors to predict whether it will be more or less than the stated one [5].

Esports was considered for inclusion in the Olympics, but is not yet featured in upcoming Games [1]. The Russian Cyber Sports Federation has announced the holding of the 2023 Russian Championship in Interactive Football [7].

In summary, esports betting blends traditional sports wagering mechanics with unique aspects of esports gameplay and betting markets. Successful bettors combine strategic research, disciplined bankroll management, and savvy use of diverse bet types to improve profitability over time [1][2][3][5].

References: [1] Esportsbetting.com (n.d.). Esports Betting 101. Retrieved from https://esportsbetting.com/guides/esports-betting-101/ [2] Betway (2021). Esports Betting Guide. Retrieved from https://help.betway.com/en/article/esports-betting-guide-2021 [3] Betway (2021). Dota 2 Betting Guide. Retrieved from https://help.betway.com/en/article/dota-2-betting-guide-2021 [4] Esports Insider (2019). Bookmakers cautious about accepting large sums on certain esports tournaments. Retrieved from https://www.esportsinsider.com/2019/04/bookmakers-cautious-accepting-large-sums-esports-tournaments/ [5] Betway (2021). CS:GO Betting Guide. Retrieved from https://help.betway.com/en/article/csgo-betting-guide-2021 [6] Esports Insider (2019). Rumors about fixed matches in esports continue to circulate. Retrieved from https://www.esportsinsider.com/2019/04/rumors-fixed-matches-esports-continue-circulate/ [7] Russian Cyber Sports Federation (2021). 2023 Russian Championship in Interactive Football. Retrieved from https://rcsf.ru/news/2023-championat-rossii-po-interaktivnomu-futbolu-zaplanovanyi-na-16-18-i-2023-godu/

Sports-betting enthusiasts can now place wagers on various esports events, as major bookmakers have started offering esports betting markets due to the growing popularity of esports [2]. To increase the odds of making profitable esports bets, strategies such as focusing on specific game titles, understanding game mechanics, and practicing bankroll management can be utilized [5].

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