Place Bets on Esports

Esports betting has grown mostly because people follow these games every day. New events pop up constantly, different titles run on their own schedules, and something is always live somewhere.

Matches swing fast, teams change approaches mid-round, and bettors usually check the odds to see if anything looks off before a match starts. It’s a busy scene, and that constant movement keeps people interested in sports betting.

Top Esports Tournaments to Bet On

Esports runs across different genres, and each title has its own major events that draw big betting interest. The structure changes from game to game - some rely on long league formats, others on short, high-pressure brackets, giving bettors plenty of angles throughout the year.

The International (Dota 2)

TI always feels huge. Big arenas, long drafts, and one fight deciding the whole thing. Places like KeyArena and Vancouver’s setup made some finals feel unreal. Teams such as OG or Spirit ended up stealing whole tournaments when nobody expected it.

League of Legends World Championship

Worlds jumps around the globe - Seoul one year, Paris or Shanghai the next. Crowds usually get behind teams like T1 or G2, and the noise inside venues such as Accor Arena changes everything. Some finals, like the SKT vs. Samsung ones, still get mentioned whenever people talk about clutch moments.

CS2 Majors

Majors in Counter-Strike have their own identity. Katowice, Cologne, Boston - each one has that heavy atmosphere. Teams like Astralis or Na’Vi have had their eras, but then you get something wild, like the Cloud9 win in Boston, that people still bring up.

VALORANT Champions

Champions hasn’t been around long, but the big games already feel loud. Istanbul, Los Angeles, different crowds but the same chaos in late rounds. Teams like LOUD or Fnatic usually show up deep into the bracket. The LOUD–OpTic final was the one people kept talking about for months.

Rainbow Six Invitational

The Invitational moves around, though Montreal hosted most of the early ones. Teams such as G2 or NiP built reputations there, especially in those messy late-round finals where the whole map falls apart.

Fortnite Championship Series Finals

FNCS finals can switch between online setups and big LANs, like the Copenhagen event. Matches go fast, and one high-ground grab can change an entire run. Duos and solos both end up with swings nobody sees coming.

Rocket League World Championship

Worlds in Rocket League stay loud and unpredictable. Arenas like Dickies Arena amplify every goal, and teams such as BDS or Vitality turn one touch into two quick scores. Finals usually go from calm to chaos without warning.

Overwatch Champions Series

Overwatch events bounce between cities - Anaheim, Toronto, wherever the stage lands that year. Teams like Dallas Fuel or London Spitfire have had their moments, especially in seasons where a patch hits right before playoffs and everything changes.

Most Popular Esports Betting Markets

Esports offers a wide range of markets because each game has its own structure, objectives, and pacing. Some bets focus on overall match outcomes, while others narrow in on maps, rounds, or specific in-game events.

Match Winner

The simplest market: pick the team or player that wins the series. Works across every major esport.

Map Winner

Bettors choose which team takes a specific map. Useful when one side performs well on certain map types or styles.

Total Maps (Over/Under)

Looks at whether a match goes long or finishes quickly. Common in best-of-three and best-of-five formats.

Handicap Betting

Teams receive virtual advantages or disadvantages. Good for matches where one side is clearly stronger.

Correct Map Score

Predicting the exact series score. High risk, higher payout, and often used in best-of-three setups.

Round/Objective Markets

Depends on the game:

• CS2: first to 5 rounds, total rounds, pistol-round winner
• LoL/Dota 2: first tower, first Roshan/Baron, total kills
• VALORANT: round spreads, spike plants/defusals

Player Performance Props

Focuses on individual outcomes - kills, assists, ACS, ADR, or hero-specific stats depending on the title.

Live Betting

Esports matches swing quickly. Live markets adjust in real time as eco rounds, drafts, or map control shift the momentum.

Outright Tournament Winner

Long-term betting on which team takes the event. Value often appears before playoffs begin.

How to Predict Esports Matches Successfully

Reading an esports matchup usually means looking beyond the rankings. Games update often, teams shift roles, and the smallest mistakes can swing an entire map. Bettors tend to focus on a few core points before making a call:

• Recent performance: Teams go through streaks just like traditional sports. A stable run usually shows better coordination and cleaner decision-making.
• Meta awareness: Patches can reshape a game overnight. Teams that adapt quickly often jump ahead of slower, rigid lineups.
• Role consistency: In games with defined roles - supports, duelists, riflers, carries - stability matters. Frequent swaps can signal deeper issues.
• Map or hero pool: Some teams excel on certain maps or with specific heroes/agents. A narrow pool becomes a problem in long series.
• Head-to-head trends: Certain matchups repeat the same patterns, especially in tactical shooters where playstyle clashes stay consistent.
• Communication strength: Esports relies heavily on coordination. Teams with clear in-game leaders tend to outperform groups that rely on pure aim.
• Travel and schedule load: International events can create fatigue, jet lag, or limited practice time. Early matches after long travel legs are often sluggish.
• Pressure handling: Crowd noise, elimination rounds, and late-series tension expose weaker mental teams. Some thrive under stress; others fall apart quickly.

Highest Esports Betting Odds Ever Won

Esports has produced some huge surprises, especially in big tournaments where one map or one draft can flip everything. A few upsets became well-known because the odds were so far from the final result.

Cloud9 to Win ELEAGUE Major Boston 2018 (CS:GO)

Cloud9 were not considered contenders going into the event. Their playoff run included a dramatic final on home soil, ending in one of the most iconic comebacks in CS:GO history.

• Bet type: Tournament winner
• Odds: 30/1
• Outcome: Won the Boston Major

OG to Win The International 2018 (Dota 2)

OG arrived with a rebuilt roster and minimal expectations. Once the main event began, their teamfighting and late-game reads outclassed every opponent on the way to the Aegis.

• Bet type: Tournament winner
• Odds: 60/1
• Outcome: Won The International 2018

100 Thieves to Beat Team Liquid (League of Legends LCS Spring 2020)

Team Liquid were heavy favourites, but 100 Thieves’ aggressive early game caught them off guard and snowballed into a quick upset.

• Bet type: Match winner
• Odds: 10/1
• Outcome: 100 Thieves won the match

Gambit Esports to Win VALORANT Masters Berlin 2021

Gambit entered as a respected but not top-ranked team. Their run through the bracket was dominant, winning most maps with confident mid-round calls.

• Bet type: Tournament winner
• Odds: 20/1
• Outcome: Gambit won Masters Berlin

w7m esports to Win the Six Invitational 2024 (Rainbow Six Siege)

w7m weren’t the obvious pick to take the whole event, but they kept surviving close series and saved their best for the final. Against FaZe Clan, they won 3–2, sealing the title in a dramatic decider.

• Bet type: Tournament winner
• Odds: 10/1
• Outcome: w7m won Six Invitational 2024

FAQ

Does LAN gameplay change betting outcomes?

LAN nerves are real. Some players look unbeatable online but struggle with crowd noise, ping changes, or stage pressure. Others improve dramatically in offline environments.

Do roster changes affect betting more than in traditional sports?

Often yes. Even a single player swap can change team chemistry, communication flow, and the entire game plan.

How important is the map veto process?

Crucial. Many teams rely on a small set of strong maps, and bad veto choices can put them at a heavy disadvantage right from the start.

Are patch notes worth reading before betting?

Definitely. Minor buffs or nerfs can reshape the meta overnight, and teams that adapt fast usually gain value early in a tournament.

Why do some underdogs win so often in esports?

Short series, unpredictable drafts, and momentum-heavy rounds leave more room for surprises compared to many traditional sports.

Should bettors track regional strength?

Yes. Certain regions dominate specific titles, and cross-region matchups often reveal gaps in strategy or pacing.

Is live betting reliable in esports?

It can be, but momentum swings are sharp. Eco rounds, draft changes, or one misplay can flip a map instantly.

Do travel or time zone differences matter for teams?

They do, especially at global events. Fatigue and limited practice time can affect communication and reaction speed.

Are statistics alone enough to predict matches?

Not really. Aim and mechanics matter, but teamwork, map comfort, and decision-making under pressure often decide the outcome.