Best Tips for Betting on Esports
Basketball, Baseball, Football and Beyond
Esports betting is an exciting and rapidly growing phenomenon, particularly with the rise of esports in 2025. As more and more people get involved, there’s a growing demand for tips to help both beginners and seasoned bettors navigate the world of esports betting.
In this guide, we break down the essentials of esports betting, from what it is to the most popular games to bet on, how it compares to traditional sports betting, and even the best types of bets to place.
SEO Admin
Related Posts
What is Esports Betting?
Esports betting, short for electronic sports betting, involves placing wagers on competitive video game tournaments. Bettors predict the outcomes of matches between professional players or teams, similar to traditional sports betting. However, instead of physical competitions, these events occur online or in large arenas and are broadcast to global audiences.
Popular esports games for betting include League of Legends, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Dota 2, and Valorant, as well as simulations of real-life sports like FIFA, NBA 2K, and MLS.
Bettors can wager on various aspects of these games, from predicting tournament winners to forecasting match outcomes, total maps played, or even who will achieve the first objective.
The Most Popular Esports to Bet on in 2025
While there are many esports titles that attract players and bettors alike, the following games are the most popular in 2025:
League of Legends (LoL): A dominant force in the esports betting world, with massive tournaments like the World Championship.
Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO): Known for its tactical gameplay and large-scale international tournaments.
NBA 2K: A virtual basketball game that allows bettors to wager on outcomes in virtual basketball leagues.
Dota 2: A strategic, multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game, with its premier event, The International, offering substantial betting opportunities.
Valorant: A tactical first-person shooter (FPS) by Riot Games, attracting a rapidly growing esports audience.
Sports Betting vs. Esports Betting
While esports betting shares many similarities with traditional sports betting, there are some key differences that set them apart.
Similarities: Both types of betting revolve around predicting outcomes and understanding odds. Bettors predict who will win, the number of rounds or maps played, and other in-game events. The structure of betting odds is also the same—whether decimal, fractional, or American.
Differences:
- Data and Analysis: Esports is a younger industry, meaning there is less historical data available compared to traditional sports. Bettors must focus on recent performances, team dynamics, and real-time analysis.
- Market Fluctuations: Esports can be volatile. Sudden player transfers, game updates, or patch releases can drastically alter the odds, unlike in traditional sports.
- Player Mentality: Mental sharpness is crucial in esports, as players often compete under intense pressure. Physical condition, while important, is less of a factor than in traditional sports.
- Frequency of Matches: Esports events happen more frequently due to their digital nature, offering more dynamic betting opportunities than the relatively slower-paced traditional sports world.
Types of Esports Bets
There are several types of bets you can place on esports events. Some of the most popular include:
- Moneyline Bet: The simplest form of wager, predicting which team or player will win outright.
- Handicap Bet: A way to balance the odds between stronger and weaker teams by giving a handicap to the favored team.
- Total Maps/Rounds Bet: Betting on the total number of maps or rounds played in a match, whether it will go over or under a specific threshold.
- First Objective Bet: Predicting which team will achieve a specific milestone first, such as capturing the first objective or killing the first enemy.
- Tournament Winner Bet: Wagering on which team or player will win the entire tournament.
- Over/Under Bet: Betting on whether a specific in-game statistic, like kills or rounds, will be higher or lower than a set value.
- Live Betting: Placing bets while the match is in progress, adjusting your predictions based on the unfolding gameplay.
How to Understand Esports Betting Odds
Understanding betting odds is critical to making smart decisions in esports betting. There are three main formats:
- Decimal Odds: Common in Europe, decimal odds show the total payout for every unit wagered (e.g., 2.50 means you win 2.5 times your stake).
- Fractional Odds: Popular in the UK, fractional odds express profit as fractions (e.g., 5/1 means you win £5 for every £1 bet).
- American Odds: These odds use plus (+) or minus (-) signs to indicate how much you win for every $100 bet (+200) or how much you need to bet to win $100 (-150).
Esports Betting Bonuses
Many sportsbooks offer esports-specific bonuses to attract new bettors. These bonuses can include welcome bonuses or first deposit bonuses, often credited after account registration or after a first deposit is made. Be sure to check the available bonuses and promotional offers before signing up to maximize your potential profits.
Tips for Getting Started with Esports Betting
Know the Games: Specializing in a specific genre or game (FPS, MOBA, etc.) will give you an edge. Understand the mechanics, meta, and strategies that influence outcomes.
Study the Odds: Understanding how odds work across different formats can help you make more informed betting decisions.
Follow Major Leagues: Keep track of the leading esports leagues like the League of Legends World Championship or The International. The more you learn about these events, the better you’ll get at predicting outcomes.
Stay Informed: Esports is fast-paced, and things can change quickly. Follow esports news, watch games, and keep up with player transfers or game updates that could affect betting odds.
If you’re ready to dive into the world of betting, check out Betco.ag your one-stop platform for the best betting experiences.