This Esports betting guide will provide you with valuable insights into the world of competitive gaming and the key factors that influence match outcomes. You’ll also discover some of the best sites for Esports betting, along with trusted resources for player stats, tournament data, and expert analysis — giving you the tools to make more informed betting decisions.
About Esports Betting
Esports betting refers to placing bets on the outcome of professional video game matches and tournaments. Bettors can choose from a range of popular titles, including first-person shooters (FPS), real-time strategy (RTS), multiplayer online battle arenas (MOBA), and sports simulation games.
Popular esports betting markets include match winner, map winner, tournament winner, and first blood (first team to eliminate an opponent). Odds are calculated in the same way as traditional sports, based on the probability of each outcome.
Why Bet On Esports?
Popular Esports Competitions
Esports features a wide range of high-profile tournaments across different game titles. Some of the most well-known competitions include:
- League of Legends World Championship (LoL Worlds): The premier event in the LoL calendar, drawing top teams from every region.
- The International (Dota 2): Famous for its record-breaking prize pools and elite competition.
- Valorant Champions: Riot Games’ flagship Valorant event, culminating the VCT season.
- CS2 Major Championships: The highest-level Counter-Strike 2 events, officially supported by Valve.
- Call of Duty League Championship: The season finale of Activision’s franchised CoD league.
- PUBG Global Championship: A major event in the PUBG Esports circuit with worldwide representation.
- Six Invitational (Rainbow Six Siege): Ubisoft’s biggest tournament of the year for R6S.
- ESL Pro Tour StarCraft II (IEM Katowice & Cologne): The top-tier StarCraft II circuit, replacing the old WCS.
- Rocket League Championship Series (RLCS) Worlds: The biggest event in the Rocket League calendar.
- Mobile Legends Bang Bang World Championship (M-Series): A dominant mobile MOBA tournament with massive global viewership.
Best Bookmakers for Esports Betting
I recommend the following bookmakers for placing Esports bets:
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Considerations for Esports Betting
Esports differs from traditional sports in several key ways — and these differences can have a major impact on betting outcomes. From sudden game updates to fluid team rosters, the Esports landscape moves fast. Below are the main factors you should consider before placing a bet.
Game Updates
In most Esports, the game itself is regularly updated by developers — often in the middle of a competitive season. These updates (or “patches”) can introduce significant changes to weapons, characters, maps, or abilities. When the meta shifts, teams must adapt quickly or risk falling behind.
For bettors, this creates opportunities. Teams that thrived under a previous patch may struggle if their strategies are no longer viable. Likewise, underdog teams that adapt faster to a new meta can pull off surprising results — often before the betting markets catch up.
Team Form
As with any sport, current form plays a major role in predicting results. A team on a winning streak is likely to carry momentum into their next match, while those suffering recent defeats may be low on confidence or experimenting with new tactics.
However, form in Esports can be deceptive. Some teams dominate in lower-tier competitions but underperform against stronger opposition. Reviewing recent match results, opponent strength, and performance across different maps or game modes will give you a clearer picture than just win/loss records.
Roster Changes
Esports teams frequently change players — sometimes days before a tournament. These changes can dramatically impact team chemistry, in-game communication, and overall performance.
When betting, pay close attention to recent roster moves. A returning star player might boost a team’s chances, but a newcomer could disrupt established roles. Understanding who plays which position (e.g. entry fragger, support, sniper, etc.) is especially important in games like CS2 or Valorant, where roles are highly specialised.
Game Knowledge
Each Esport has its own rules, mechanics, and unique strategic layers. In CS2, for example, some teams are far stronger on certain maps than others. In League of Legends, champion bans and drafts can swing matches before gameplay even starts.
Bettors who understand these game-specific dynamics can gain an edge. Knowing how teams match up stylistically, which agents or champions are in the current meta, or how teams perform on specific maps allows you to make more informed picks — especially in handicap or total rounds markets.
Tournament Format
Not all matches carry the same weight. In group stages or qualifiers, teams may test new strategies or rest key players. In contrast, knockout rounds usually bring out peak performance and tighter competition.
Some formats — such as best-of-ones — are more volatile and prone to upsets, while best-of-threes or best-of-fives tend to favour stronger teams over time. Understanding the tournament structure and what’s at stake helps you avoid overrating favourites in low-pressure settings.
Travel & LAN Events
While many lower-tier matches are played online, major tournaments are often held on LAN — with players travelling internationally to compete in front of live audiences. This transition can introduce jet lag, fatigue, or adjustment issues related to time zones and different equipment setups.
Some players thrive in high-pressure LAN environments, while others struggle with crowd presence, unfamiliar hardware, or stage nerves. Bettors should take note when teams shift from online qualifiers to in-person events, as form doesn’t always translate across both settings.
Back-to-back fixtures, delayed start times, and long match days can also impact performance. Always check the tournament format and schedule to spot teams who may be underprepared or fatigued going into key matches.
Backing & Resources
The best-funded organisations often have access to better coaching, analytics teams, training facilities, and player support. This can lead to more consistent results — especially in long tournaments where preparation is key.
While sponsorships won’t decide matches, they can indicate which teams are investing in infrastructure and long-term success. Teams with strong backing tend to be more stable and better prepared for meta shifts or extended series play.
Esports Betting Markets
Esports offers a wide variety of betting markets, many of which will be familiar to traditional sports bettors — though some are game-specific. Here are some of the most common options:
- Winner: Bet on the team or player to win a specific match or series.
- Outright: Bet on the overall winner of a tournament or league.
- Handicap / Spread: One team is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage to balance the odds — e.g. -1.5 maps in a best-of-three.
- Map Winner: Bet on which team will win a specific map within a multi-map series.
- Total Maps: Bet on the number of maps played — often an over/under market (e.g. Over 2.5 maps).
- Correct Map Score: Predict the exact final score of the series (e.g. 2–0, 2–1).
- First Blood: Bet on which team gets the first kill in the match.
- First to X Kills: Bet on which team reaches a certain kill count first — common in FPS titles like CS2 or Valorant.
These markets can vary depending on the game, event format, and bookmaker. Always review the market rules for the specific title you’re betting on, and take time to research team strengths, map pools, and recent form before placing your bets.
Best Sites for Esports Stats
Reliable stats are essential for making informed Esports bets. Here are some of the most useful sites for tracking player performance, team history, match results, and more:
- EsCharts
- Tracker.gg
- Liquipedia.net
- EsportsEarnings
- Games Of Legends
- DOTA Buff
- Factor.gg
- Csgostats.gg
- Octane.gg
- Siege.gg
To learn more about these sites, check out: Best Esports Statistics Websites.
Best Esports Tipsters
The following table shows some of the top-rated Esports tipsters based on verified performance data.
To understand how these tipsters have been evaluated — including factors like ROI, profit, and consistency — see our full article: Best Esports Tipsters.
Esports FAQ
Esports refers to competitive video gaming, where professional players or teams compete in organised tournaments. These events often attract large audiences and feature substantial prize pools across titles like CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2, and Valorant.
Games with large professional scenes, regular tournaments, and strong viewership tend to offer the best betting options. These include:
- CS2 (Counter-Strike 2) – Offers consistent tournaments and a wide range of betting markets.
- League of Legends – Features global leagues, detailed stats, and deep strategy for bettors to analyse.
- Dota 2 – Known for massive prize pools and complex in-game dynamics that reward research.
- Valorant – A growing title with frequent events and solid betting liquidity.
- Call of Duty – Particularly active during CDL seasons, with popular markets like map winner and first blood.
These games attract more bookmakers, offer better odds coverage, and provide more data for informed betting.
The League of Legends World Championship is one of the largest and most-watched Esports events. Other major tournaments include The International (Dota 2), CS2 Majors, and Valorant Champions.
Most professional Esports players start by mastering a specific game and competing in online or local tournaments. With enough skill, consistency, and visibility — often through streaming or ranked ladders — players can get noticed and recruited by Esports organisations.
While not classified as a traditional sport in all countries, Esports is widely recognised as a legitimate form of competition. It features structured leagues, professional athletes, sponsorship deals, and global fanbases — much like conventional sports.
Professional players often deal with long practice hours, travel fatigue, high-pressure matches, and intense competition. Physical issues like eye strain and wrist injuries are also common, alongside mental health concerns due to burnout or public scrutiny.
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