How do you bet on e-sports events if you're just starting out?

Forget the days when e-sports was a hobby for a handful of enthusiasts. Today, it's a $3.8 billion global market that's set to explode to almost $6 billion by 2028! Online gaming is also on the gas in the local backyard. In 2023 alone, the Polish online casino with all the sign-up bonuses and access to fast payments generated almost 40 billion in revenue. The thousands of games and competitions available do the job! We are talking about a crazy growth rate of almost 35% per year.

And what about betting? By 2024, more than 74 million people worldwide are already betting on the results of e-sports competitions. If you're just getting started with e-sports betting, you need to approach the subject head-on. It's clear that the vision for casino instant payouts is tempting, but playing for real money requires some strategy. When to deposit, when to stop, how to do it wisely? That's what you'll learn if you take a few minutes to read!

Pick one game to start with

The biggest mistake beginners make? Trying to become an expert at everything at once. CS2, League of Legends, Dota 2, Valorant, Overwatch.... Each of these games is a completely different world. Different rules, strategies, heroes, maps, tournaments. It's like trying to learn five languages at once - possible, but is it sensible?

Why is specialisation crucial? Because only an in-depth knowledge of one game allows you to:

• Recognise mispriced bookmaker odds
• Predict results based on line-ups and maps
• spot nuances that escape casual observers
• Identify valuebets (bets with a positive expected value)

Which games to choose?

1. Counter-Strike 2: The absolute king of e-sports betting. In Q4 2024, it generated as much as 64% of all bets! Only one tournament: Shanghai Major attracted 28% of all types. Why is CS2 so popular? Simple rules (terrorists vs anti-terrorists), clear match structure, plenty of available stats online.
2. League of Legends. Second force with 10% market share. Largest fan base in the world, regular regional leagues (LEC in Europe, LCK in Korea, LPL in China). More complex than CS2, but gives more room for analysis.
3. Dota 2 - a game for the ambitious. Largest prize pools in eSports ($29.56 million in 2023!), but also the most complex. Over 115 characters, complex interactions, long matches. Not for beginners.
4. Valorant. A young star that doubled its market share to 5% in 2024. Combines elements of CS:GO with Overwatch. A rapidly growing scene, a great option for those who want to grow with the game.

Learn the format

Imagine betting on a boxing match without knowing how long a round lasts. Absurd? And yet many beginners don't know the basics. Here are a few you need to recognise:

• Best of 1 (Bo1). One map or game decides everything. High risk, frequent surprises. Even the best team can have a down day. So avoid high stakes on the clear favourites in Bo1!
• Best of 3 (Bo3). Up to two wins. Standard format for most tournaments. Gives a chance for a comeback after a poor start. Better shows the actual strength of the teams.
• Best of 5 (Bo5). Marathon reserved for finals. A test of mental toughness and squad depth. There is no room for chance here.

Tournament structures also change:

• Group phase. Teams play a round-robin system (each against each other) or in small groups. One can afford to slip up. The Swiss system is pairs matched by results.
• Single elimination. You lose and fly home. No margin for error adds to the pressure.
• Double elimination. You have a second life in the bottom ladder. More matches = more betting opportunities.

Familiarity with the format is key. A team in the group stage can experiment, but in single elimination play va banque.

Follow the scene

Success in e-sports betting is not a lottery. It is the result of solid research. Sounds boring? It doesn't have to be! Where to look for news and updates?

• EGW News. Every day we add info on all important events in the industry!
• Liquipedia. Wikipedia of e-sports. Updated live scores, team histories, transfers.
• Twitch and YouTube. Watch the matches! Statistics are one thing, but your own observations are priceless. You'll see which team is playing with confidence and which is struggling.
• Social media. Follow the profiles of teams and players. Sometimes one tweet about a health problem or an argument in a team can be more valuable than a thousand numbers.

What to look out for.

• Form. Check the last 5-10 matches. Is the team winning confidently or catching beatings? Which opponents have they beaten?
• Head-to-Head. Some teams have a 'nemesis'.
• Line-up changes. They can completely change the face of a team.

Understand the betting types

Forget complicated combinations. Start with the basics:

1. Winner of the match. The simplest bet. Who will win? Team A or Team B? Ideal for beginners.
2. Handicap, or levelling the odds. The favourite gets a virtual loss (e.g. -1.5 map), the underdog an advantage (+1.5). Example: you bet on Team A with a handicap of -1.5 in Bo3? They must win 2:0.
3. Over/Under. How many rounds, maps, kills will there be? The bookmaker sets the line (e.g. 26.5 rounds in CS2), you decide - more or less?

Games also have special bets. In Dota or LOL it could be first dragon, roshan etc. Look around and make sure you understand what the game is about.

Avoid the hype

There are traps lurking for beginners. Beware of them. A couple of examples that should be a strong Red Flag for you.

• 'Confidence' from influencers. Someone shouting on YouTube about a "100% certain type"? There are no certainties in e-sports.
• Emotional betting. Are you rooting for G2 Esports? Great, but that's no reason to bet on them in every match.
• High odds: 5.00 on a team is not always a bargain. It often means the bookmaker knows something you don't.
• Accumulative betting (AKO). 10 matches on a coupon, odds of 100.00? It's a lottery, not an analysis. The chance of hitting it drops exponentially with each added selection.

Start small

Rome wasn't built in a day. Start slowly and without going crazy so you don't end up quick and painful. Here are a few tips:

1. Set a monthly budget (only as much as you can afford to lose).
2. Divide your budget into days or weeks and stick to it!
3. With promotions, read the payout terms and conditions!
4. Live betting is not for novices - let it go for a start.
5. Never try to "buy back in".
6. Record your results and analyse them periodically.

Bet only with licensed and legal bookmakers! Safety, help in Polish, legal payments are the basis!