Imagine yourself sitting in your deckchair watching a high stakes Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) match. The excitement around this contest probably can’t get any higher than it is right now, unless we start betting on who will come out on top. Are you new to betting on CS2 or wondering how to bet on CS2 matches? Don’t worry. We’ll help you understand the basics and offer expert betting strategies to help you make smarter bets.
What is CS2 Betting?
CS2 betting is the act of placing a bet on whom you think will be the winner. If gambling on a football game is like choosing the outcome, only now, instead of sports teams, it’s major esports units. You may be able to bet on CS2 matches, the match winner, the over or under total number of rounds played, or even which player will score the first kill. Similar to how to bet on CS2 (CS GO), if your predictions come true, you get paid! With the rapid growth of the esports industry, now more mainstream and available not only to existing fans but also to new ones, it is difficult to imagine that betting on CS2 isn’t increasing rapidly.
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Top Tournaments in CS2
So now you know where and how it all happens. There are several top-tier tournaments in CS2 match betting that bring the highest-level teams from across the ocean. These are events you should definitely follow with an open betting mind.
These are the biggest CS2 betting tournaments organized by Valve. They usually feature the best teams, and the prize pools exceed $1 million. You can have fun betting on CS2 matches and earn money in the process.
Most of the IEM competitions, especially those held in Katowice and Cologne, are landmark moments in esports. The very best CS2 teams gather here, making them unpredictable and therefore great for CS2 match betting.
A season-long series with a grand finale. Various stages of competition take place throughout the year, and in the end one team wins the title of queen. This series is known for its lightning fast seasons and top-notch production, so it’s no wonder why it attracts fans and bettors alike.
The longest-running league in CS2. In this league, teams play in a regular season format, which means tracking your favorite team’s progress from week to week will provide more than ample CS2 match betting opportunities.
Imagine combining a massive gaming festival with top-tier CS2 competition. That’s DreamHack Masters. It’s not just about the matches it’s about the experience, making it a must-watch for any esports fan. Plus, the large prize pools make the stakes even higher.
The PGL Majors are the Oscars of CS2: colourful, high-stakes and full of stars. Some of them are some of the most entertaining tournaments in CS2 (CS GO), and they all have one thing in common: they attract players willing to bet on bloodthirsty matches.
How to Place a Bet on CS2?
Alright, so you’re pumped and ready to place your first bet. Let’s walk through the process on BC Game, a popular platform for CS2 match betting. If you’re familiar with how to bet on CS GO, the process is quite similar.
Step 1: Create an Account or Log In
If you are a fresh player, then sign up for an account (it’s easy to sign in or register as long as you know your personal information). Already have an account? Sign in and have fun playing.
Step 2: Deposit Funds
Log in and deposit money by clicking on the DEPOSIT button located in the top left corner. Choose your favourite deposit system: Bitcoin, Ethereum or other available currency. It’s quick and easy.
Step 3: Select Your CS2 Match
Simply go to the sportsbook and check all active CS2 matches. Check out the teams, odds and choose your match.
Step 4: Place Your Bet
Select the bet type: winner, over/under, map, or whatever special proposition you want, such as a 1st kill. Type in the amount you wish to bet, select your choice, and then click on ‘Place Bet’. It’s simple, and once completed, all you need to do is wait for the match to begin and hope your bet wins!
Types of Bets in Counter-Strike
Everyone knows that there are many types of bets that can be placed when it comes to CS2 betting, but a few are the most popular. Here is a description of them:
📍 Match Winner
This one is pretty straightforward; you just have to place your bet on the team who will win the game. Like in a soccer game, if you have an inkling that Team A, which is playing against Team B, will win, then bet on them. If Team A wins, you win too.
📍 Map Winner
You can bet on the winner of individual cards within matches. For example, if Team B is particularly good at Dust II, you can bet on them winning that map, even if you are not sure they will win overall.
📍 Total Rounds (Over/Under)
Over/Under bets are where you must judge if the total rounds played will be greater or lower than a specified number, most commonly placed within 2.5-4.5 by bookmakers. That is to say, you can wager on the total number of rounds played if you believe there will be little difference between two comparable teams in a fixture.
📍 Handicap Betting
You can also place a handicap bet, which will give you additional diversification in your CS2 match betting. For example, if one side is a big favorite, then the bookmaker may give the underdog a +3.5 round handicap way ahead of time on fight night. With the favorite, you will only win your bet if they are able to keep this lead (4 rounds or more).
📍 First Kill
This type of high risk (high odds) bet requires you to guess which player or team will get first blood in the game. Imagine your player getting the first shot to the head: it’s a fast-paced and adrenaline-fuelled sports bet.
📍 Outright Winner
If you are confident that a team will win the entire tournament, place a straight winner bet. This is similar to betting on the winner of the Super Bowl at this point before the playoffs start, but in a CS2 tournament.
📍 Combination Betting
Combining multiple bets into one bet to increase ROI. For example, this might mean betting on the winner of three separate matches. If you win, all your predictions should turn out to be correct (as with single bets), but the prize pool can increase significantly.
CS2 Betting Tips
Seeking more ways of increasing your potential win? Well, here are some tips that will help you:
Just before placing a bet, make sure to research the teams or players. Simply put, knowledge is power when it comes to placing a good bet.
A change in the starting line-up can make a team play completely differently. Then there are times when a major player will be out of the game, and that may decrease your chances for one team, so it’s better to adjust your bets accordingly.
The most important tip of all is probably this one, and that is to control your bankroll by implementing a staking plan. Behave and don’t drive away all of your money!
Make sure that the sites you use for betting are reputable and licensed.
If your favourite A team is playing just awful, you should bet against them, no matter how much you want them to win.
CS2 Betting Strategies
Now that you’ve got the basics down, let’s talk strategy. Here are some approaches that can help you maximize your winnings.
- Value Betting: Look for bets that have better odds than you expect. For example, value betting is when you believe a team has a better chance of winning than the odds indicate.
- Hedging Bets: Hedge your bets by betting on both outcomes. In this case, you can bet on Team A winning in one market, but then place a slightly smaller bet on its success in another market so you don’t lose everything.
- Focus on Specific Markets: Some bettors limit themselves to betting only on specific markets, such as card winners or round totals, because learning all aspects of the game increases their chances of success.
- Betting with Data: The more data you have, the better. Use statistics and past performance data to inform your bets. For instance, if a team has a strong record on a particular map, that might be a good indicator of how they’ll perform.
- Timing Your Bets: In some cases, it’s not just what you bet on, but when. Betting odds tend to change as you get closer to the match, so always keep an eye on the market and pick your betting time if possible.
The Bottom Line
Betting on CS2 serves to add to the growing ranks of fans. If you know the basics, do your homework well, and have a sound strategy, gambling can be a lot of fun. As always, gamble responsibly and within your budget and most importantly, have fun. After all, it was the excitement of esports that drew us here in the first place!