CS: GO Betting Guide: Navigating the World of eSports Wagers

Esports has rapidly become a major player in the entertainment industry, and Counter-Strike has played a huge part in driving its growth. If you just look at the stats, you'll get the whole picture.

Over the last decade, CS: GO has maintained consistent viewership, with a continual rise in prize money and an increasing number of tournaments.

There have been around 7500 tournaments registered, as documented in the Esports Charts database. In these tournaments, the Counter-Strike industry has overseen prize pools exceeding USD 134 million. The most lucrative tournament to date was the PGL Major Stockholm in 2021, with a humongous $2 million prize pool.

This sustained popularity has led traditional bookmakers to embrace CSGO betting, making it a fundamental part of their offerings.

Matches are happening across the globe in various leagues and skill levels, providing Counter-Strike global outreach. The excitement is highly paced, especially for those engaging in esports betting. With numerous options available, the thrill of CSGO betting is unmatched.

If you're new to Counter-Strike betting, it's essential to understand some key aspects before jumping in. Our comprehensive CSGO betting guide is your go-to resource for navigating this exciting world. Dive in and enjoy the action!

A Brief History Of CS: GO Betting

Betting on esports emerged alongside the growing recognition of e-gaming globally in the 1980s. However, there were doubts initially regarding its potential size and its acceptance by major operators.

There were concerns that included the lack of regulation within the eSports industry and fears of match-fixing. It looked like skin betting would be the only form that would dominate in esports betting, and real money would be limited to informal wagers among friends and a few less reputable game betting sites.

However, things changed. Counter-Strike entered the scene in the early 2000s, rapidly gaining global popularity. This growth of Counter-Strike as an esport fueled the emergence of a bustling CSGO betting industry catering to fans.

The esports industry duly expanded after this surge and attracted a dedicated daily betting following. Legalization efforts in various countries further propelled its popularity, drawing in a broader audience. South Korea was the first to officially recognize esports betting in 2000, followed by the West.

So, it’s safe to say that Counter-Strike was a trigger for the increasing popularity of the CSGO betting markets. Today, there are a lot of bookmakers who are involved in the betting industry. But as betting sites gain mainstream popularity, deciding where to place your bets can be confusing. That is where SoCanadianCasino comes in. For a safe and verified betting experience, you should check out this site and find reputable bookmakers who ensure secure and verified bets.

What Are The Biggest CS: GO Events For Betting?

Counter-Strike has numerous tournaments happening both locally and globally, offering prizes that can range from thousands to millions of dollars.

As already described, the game's immense popularity has given rise to an entire industry.

Many fans love watching professional tournaments, placing bets on skilled CS: GO players, and picking up gameplay tips from these pros.

Talking about tournaments, let's shed some light on the best events that revolve around this game.

It's worth mentioning here that CS: GO has now evolved into Counter-Strike 2, marking the fifth installment in the Counter-Strike series. Despite this transition, the CS: GO betting tournaments that we will talk about are expected to remain influential in the esports ecosystem for years to come.

● ESL Pro League

The ESL Pro League stands out as a premier tournament as far as CS: GO is concerned. Managed by ESL, the league was established in 2015 and will now enter its 19th season, operating on a semi-franchised model. In it, fifteen partner teams are complemented by 17 qualified teams, creating a season-spanning about a month.

● IEM Katowice

IEM Katowice is another renowned standalone CSGO betting tournament and has been pivotal in making Katowice, a city in Poland, a global esports hub.

Since its inception in 2014, this Intel Extreme Masters event has become a city-wide celebration held annually in the Spodek Arena. The prize money is also a staggering USD 1 million.

As a pivotal CS: GO tournament, we can safely say that the tournament has evolved from a modest gathering to an iconic event, featuring conferences and additional activities alongside intense gaming competitions.

● IEM Cologne

IEM Cologne is another key CS: GO tournament managed by ESL. Held in the summer since its inception as ESL One Cologne in 2014, it's considered a cornerstone in the CS: GO calendar alongside IEM Katowice.

Often dubbed the "Cathedral of Counter-Strike," it's a symbol of esports prowess, with the 2022 edition attracting 1.2 million peak viewers. The prize money is also amazing at USD 1 million.

● CS:GO Gamers8

The Gamers8 tournament takes place in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and also offers a $1 million prize pool for the Counter-Strike tournament. This offline event attracts top players globally, ensuring a high-caliber competition.

● Blast Premier Word Final 2024

Lastly, one major tournament that demands attention is the BLAST Premier World Final 2024, set to be held in Abu Dhabi, UAE.

Running from November 13 to 17, this offline CSGO tournament will gather Major and BLAST Premier winners, competing for a substantial USD 1 million prize pool, with the champion claiming $500,000.

CS2 betting options will be available on match-day at various esports betting sites. Our CSGO betting guide provides essential insights and strategies, tailored to help bettors navigate through the complexities of each event.

What CS: GO Teams To Bet On In 2024?

For intelligent bettors aiming for big wins in СSGO betting, staying updated on the top CS: GO or Counter Strike 2 teams is crucial.

So, we've compiled a list of which teams you should place your bet on in 2024.

● FaZe Clan

Leading the pack is the FaZe Clan, renowned for their late surge in counter strike. Guided by coach Filip "⁠NEO⁠" Kubski, a respected figure in CS: GO, FaZe has undergone a transformation in 2022.

Historically competing in tier-two events, they surged to prominence with the addition of ropz in January 2022.

Subsequently, they clinched victory in major events like IEM Katowice 2022, PGL Antwerp Major, and IEM Cologne 2022 and have been doing pretty well in 2023.

● Natus Vincere (NAVI)

Founded in 2009, NAVI has made its mark by reaching two CS: GO Major Grand Finals. The team lives up to its slogan, "Born to win," consistently proving this prophecy correct over the years.

● Team Vitality

Team Vitality achieved a major milestone by securing their first CSGO Major, triumphing on home turf. With Mathieu “ZywOo” Herbaut as the event’s MVP, the team's 2023 win rate of almost 80% against top-tier teams like G2, NaVi, and Heroic has showcased their dominance.

Heading into the Paris Major, they carried a 2-series win streak, extending it to 8 and maintaining an undefeated run in the tournament.

● Team Liquid

Established in 2000, Team Liquid has extensive knowledge in CS:GO betting. As the first North American esports team to reach a CS: GO Major Grand Final at ESL ONE: Cologne 2016, they've demonstrated a longstanding presence and prowess in the competitive gaming scene.

How To Bet On CS: GO?

When discussing CS:GO match betting, it's essential to consider a wide range of betting markets for prominent matches. Bettors often encounter over a hundred different markets for CSGO betting to choose from.

However, there are seven key markets that every CS: GO bettor should be familiar with.

For those interested in live betting, the options increase significantly. To keep things simple, let's focus on the basics for now and take it step by step.

Draw

In Counter-Strike, matches consist of 30 rounds, and the first team to reach 16 rounds wins. If the game concludes with a score of 15-15 after 30 rounds, it usually goes into overtime and may eventually result in a draw. So, there is a draw bet, which involves wagering on the possibility that the match will end in a draw.

Handicap Bet

The handicap bet adds an interesting twist to CSGO betting. Sometimes, oddsmakers grant a team a map advantage to balance the odds. Alternatively, teams may have rounds added or deducted from the final score to determine the winner.

Over/Under

This bet introduces a bit more uncertainty. Rather than betting on the winner of a game or series, a person bets on the over/under of the total rounds played. Predicting the total rounds can be challenging because a team may perform well and win more rounds than usual while still losing the overall match.

With dramatic momentum shifts, over/under bets require an intimate understanding of the current landscape of teams and players to accurately predict totals for CSGO betting.

Group of Winner

This type of bet is quite straightforward. Prior to the tournament, one places a wager on the team that they believe will win the whole thing. This bet usually offers attractive payouts because predicting a tournament winner can be challenging. It's a great option for making bets with friends, where each person picks their favorite team.

Group Winner

Here, one places a bet on the group that will produce the winner in a specified CS:GO tournament, particularly when teams are organized into groups. This type of bet has gained popularity and is offered by many betting sites. The intricate knowledge of team dynamics and performance needed for group winner CSGO betting presents experienced bettors with ample opportunities to leverage their analytical skills.

Region Winner

This bet involves predicting the region from which the tournament winner will come if the competition is structured by region.

Total Rounds

This bet is based on whether the total number of rounds played in the match will surpass or fall below a specified number. While not always available, some CS:GO sportsbooks offer this market, especially during major events.

What Are The Special Types Of Bets On CS: GO In Essport?

There are other unique CSGO betting options in various eSports video games through online and mobile sportsbooks. This exploration is an essential part of our comprehensive CS:GO betting guide, which aims to equip bettors with a broad understanding of the diverse betting landscape. Let's discuss a few.

Map Betting

It is basically betting on the team that emerges victorious on a specific map.

First Blood

Wagering on the team that achieves the initial kill in the pistol round.

Knife Round

Placing a bet on the team securing the first kill in the knife round determines the starting side.

Knife Round/Pistol Round

Betting on the team landing the first kill in either the knife round or pistol round when both are available.

Top Scorer

Wagering on the player with the highest score by the end of a designated map or match.

Tips For Successful Esport CS: GO Betting

Now; before someone starts their CSGO betting, check out these following tips to boost predictions for various matches like a pro.

1. Select Profitable Matches

Choose events with higher chances of winning, regardless of the favorite team. Evaluate matches objectively for potential outcomes.

2. Opt for Live Betting

Don't overlook live betting, especially if familiar with the teams and their playing styles. Live bets often come with better odds, increasing your potential winnings.

3. Analyze Opponents

Before placing CSGO bets, thoroughly research the competing teams. In-depth knowledge improves the accuracy of your predictions. Check team statistics and overviews on bookmakers' sites or independent analytics sources.

4. Understand Odds and Bet Types

Increase winning chances by understanding the differences between bet types and odds. Tailor the choices based on the tournament type, skill level, and other relevant factors.

5. Play the Game and Study the Top Players

Play CSGO to understand map details and weapon dynamics. Learn from top players' tactics, adapting their strategies for live CSGO betting. This hands-on approach enhances and helps in assessing the in-game situation.