CS: GO Betting: Take Your Counter-Strike Fandom to the Next Level

Last year’s release of Counter-Strike 2 did not go over all that well. Valve did not handle the new servers all too well, which led to many fans criticizing the decision. Of course, the outcry eventually led to the famous game company going back to Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, which many to this day claim needed no updates.

After all, CS: GO is one of the most popular games, so it isn’t surprising that CS: GO betting is such a popular pastime among fans. It has a loyal following across the globe, dedicated fans in the eSports community, and frequently gets some of the highest attendance at tournaments. All of these reasons explain why many were confused at the attempt to replace the game. But, they also explain why CS: GO has such a massive betting audience.

Betting on CS: GO

For many, the idea of betting on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive may be entirely foreign. There are, after all, a lot of people who don’t even realize how big eSports has gotten. For the completely uninitiated, eSports refers to the new trend of competitive gaming, which is being streamed online, and even televised on some big name sports channels.

We mentioned before that CS: GO is one of the biggest games in eSports, and that is certainly true. In fact, it comfortably sits in the top five spot, alongside games like League of Legends, Defenders of the Ancients, and more. Because of the shooter’s popularity, CS: GO betting has taken off at online sportsbooks. But, just what does it mean to bet on CS: GO?

There isn’t much to explain in this case; CS: GO betting is exactly what it sounds like. Professional Counter-Strike tournaments are quite popular, and some of the most beloved gamers participate. Fans of these tournaments want to show their support in more ways than simply watching. One way in which they express their fandom is by putting down some cash on their preferred team.

How to Bet on CS: GO?

We understand that the idea of betting on video games may seem strange, and many people might not even fully understand how it can be done. But, for those interested, we are going to delve into some of the details of how to bet on Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, or any other game for that matter. The first step, as you could imagine, is finding a good sportsbook.

While it may not be hard to find a reputable bookie in 2024, it is difficult to locate one that covers video games and eSports. That means that once you’ve come across a safe and reliable sportsbook that does offer CS: GO odds, you should jump on it. But, of course, it can’t just end at finding a good bookie. You should also learn a few things about odds themselves, and how they work.

Odds on CS: GO

The first thing you have to learn is that the odds on CS: GO will in no way be different than those placed on any other sport. eSports have come to be considered a sort of offshoot of sports proper, and are often lumped into that category. So, there is really no reason to assume that the odds would work differently in any way. That being said, understanding how sports betting odds work is a must, if you are going to be placing wagers online.

The important thing to note is that there are three kinds of odds. The kind that you come across will depend on the bookie you’ve chosen. While it isn’t a hard and fast rule, the odds do depend on the country from which the sportsbook operates out of. For example, fractional odds are popular in the United Kingdom, while decimal are popular in European countries. Finally, US bookies are most likely to use moneyline odds.

Popular Tournaments

The popularity of a tournament plays a huge role in whether a bookie will cover the event or not. For example, the Legion Cup: New Gen Battle is the largest amateur Counter Strike 2 tournament in Ukraine. However, while it is popular in the specific region, it is an amateur tournament, which means it might not get too much attention online.

If you are going to be betting on CS: GO, you will need to learn a bit about the most popular events. Of course, most fans are very likely aware of what the biggest tournaments in Counter-Strike are. However, there are a lot of newbies, who are just now discovering eSports, Counter-Strike, and/or betting. That is why, we’d like to go over some of the more popular tournaments, and share a brief description.

• PGL Majors: a legendary event in gaming, the PGL attracts the best teams in the world, who compete for a massive pool prize and prestige.
• Intel Extreme Masters: the IEM is another incredibly prestigious event, gathering incredible teams from several countries, who give their best to come out on top.
• DreamHack Masters: the festival-like atmosphere is what separates DreamHack from the rest. However, despite the festivities, this is a difficult tournament, where some of the top teams face off.

The Best Teams

Finally, we have to discuss the best teams. If you were a fan of soccer, you would obviously know about Real Madrid, Manchester United, and the other top-tier clubs, before you started betting. By that same token, a CS: GO fan (and bettor) should be familiar with the top Counter-Strike teams in the world. For those who need a brief intro, below we’ve listed a few of the greats.

• Astralis: The Danish team is a powerhouse in the realm of CS: GO, having won 4 Major titles. They are unparalleled in the field, and often considered the top of the food chain.
• Na’Vi: Natus Vincere, or Na’Vi are a Ukrainian game organization which competes in multiple games, including CS: GO and CSII. They are most popular for featuring the legendary player, s1mple, who many consider one of the best CSII gamers in the world.
• FaZe Clan: Though based in Los Angeles, the FaZe Clan is known worldwide for their diverse, multi-national roster. Known for their aggressive playstyle, FaZe’s reputation drastically rose in 2022, when they won the PGL Major in Antwerp.