Esports Betting FAQ’s
There are lots of questions regarding the esports betting industry. More precisely, people keep asking us about the technicalities behind the process of esports betting, and we aim to give you the proper answers here.
And it’s understandable – the esports industry is still in its beginning stages, so early adopters are bound to have plenty of questions. That’s exactly what we are here for – to put you in the know with all the information in one single place!
With all that in mind, let’s start off with the frequently asked questions tied to general esports and esports betting topics.
What Is Esports?
The simplest of answers would be that esports is a new form of competitive entertainment taking place all around the world.
However, let’s expand the initial definition a bit!
Esports is a brand-new type of industry consisting of competitive tournaments and leagues in which professional athletes compete against each other in a wide variety of video games. It’s much more than most people think nowadays. With professional organizations turning the industry into a rapidly growing (and well-established) business, there is no doubt esports is slowly making its way onto the mainstream stage!
What Is the Most Popular Esports Genre?
It’s a pretty rough competition between two genres – FPS (first-person shooters) and MOBA (multiplayer online battle arena) games – with the biggest names in the esports industry leading the charge on both ends. League of Legends and Dota 2 hold the line for MOBAs, CS:GO and Rainbow Six Siege hold the line for FPS… and Overwatch is basically the golden middle, having aspects from both genres combined into one fantastic gameplay experience.
However, if we consider the recently held The International 2018 Dota 2 tournament, we can’t help but sway the odds in the favor of MOBA genre. Even though FPS games have more tournaments in a seasonal cycle, all of them combined still can’t reach the numbers behind The International tournament. So, there is only one winner in this race. In other words – MOBAs are the most popular esports genre at the moment!
Esports Betting FAQ
Now that we all know what esports represents and what its most popular genre is, it’s time to dive deeper into the depths of esports betting. Because, well, that’s what we are all about here! In the remainder of this article, you will find a comprehensive list of information that everyone seems to have questions about nowadays.
These are the most common questions we get – some on a daily and some on a weekly basis. Even though they fall into the general category of esports betting, a solid portion is game-specific, too. So, what are we waiting for? Let’s get straight to the action and start answering those burning questions!
What Are the Best Esports Betting Sites?
Finding a proper esports bookie that will have everything you need can be a rather tricky task. Especially for picky people who know what they want and won’t agree to any compromise along the way. The criteria are endless – the number of betting markets, number of available bets (including special bets), withdrawal/deposit methods, fees, trustworthiness, and last but not least – reputation.
Chances are high you don’t have enough time to thoroughly research every esports betting website out there to make a proper conclusion. But don’t you worry for a second there – that’s what we are here for! Below this paragraph, you can see our recommended esports bookmakers based on all those criteria mentioned above. Feel free to check them out and see what they’re all about. You won’t be disappointed – that’s for sure!
What Are Special Bets in Esports Betting?
We are sure many of you are already familiar with the term “special bets.” For those who are not, here’s a quick definition – special bets are not tied directly to the final outcome of a match but rather specific in-game elements. Here are a few examples of most common special bets in basketball: the number of points by a specific player, total match points, first quarter score, first half score, number of rebounds by a specific player, and so on.
In esports, there are many available special bets, but logically, they vary from game to game. The most popular esports games already have well-established practices for special bets, while newer ones are still battling for their share with esports bookmakers.
How Do I Improve My Odds of Winning Esports Wagers?
The best way of improving your odds of winning esports wagers is to watch and learn. As simple as that – watch and learn. It sounds rather easy if you’re a fan of the esports you wish to bet on. On the other hand, if you aren’t, then your job will be a bit more difficult.
For starters, a good way to improve your winning odds is to read through our sports betting guides. They are a decent starting point for learning the basics of online betting. If you feel like you’re already above that level, then perhaps taking a look at our dedicated esports betting strategy might be worth your time.
Game-Specific FAQ
After checking out the most common questions related to esports betting in general, it’s time to dig deeper and check out the most popular games as well. Honestly speaking, many of them would be flattered to get that title, but there’s only enough room for a few.
What Are the Most Popular Esports Games in 2018?
The proven people’s champions are definitely CS:GO, League of Legends, and Dota 2. They are still racking up incredible numbers both fan-wise and money-wise. New esports games come and go, while these three are already in the process of becoming evergreen.
But there is a relatively new game that’s starting to make a proper name for itself. Blizzard Entertainment made sure of that. Of course, we are talking about Overwatch – a new and exciting esports prospect that combines the two most popular genres (MOBA and FPS) into a fast-paced masterpiece. So, with those four games in mind, let’s check out the most frequently asked questions regarding them!
League of Legends
It can be said that League of Legends is the game that started it all. Without it, chances are high esports wouldn’t be at such a high level as they are now. Riot Games is to thank here – without their initiative to turn League of Legend’s potential to a multibillion-dollar industry, we probably wouldn’t be here writing all this.
- Where Should I Do Pre-Betting Research for League of Legends?
Pre-betting research on League of Legends is a pretty straightforward process. You can pick from a ton of comprehensive stats-based websites, each with its own flair and charm to the numbers. These websites will definitely give you a good basis of understanding which teams are currently hot… and which ones are not. Some of the most popular ones are League of Graphs and GosuGamers – combine those two, and you will have everything you need to know about professional teams as far as LoL stats are concerned.
- What Are the Most Common Special Bets in League of Legends?
If League of Legends special bets seem like an interesting starting point in your esports betting career, then you’re in luck – LoL special bets are plentiful and usually have decent odds. Of course, this is something that varies from bookie to bookie, but the general market stance regarding LoL special bets is pretty good. Bet365 started experimenting with the likes of first blood/dragon/baron killed and first turret/inhibitor destroyed, and soon after, other bookies joined the show. Later on, we got even more special bets in the form of first team to get to XX kills and similar.
CS:GO
Valve struck gold with both CS:GO and Dota 2, cementing their spot as the most prominent name in the gaming and esports industry. Part of this is thanks to Steam, its gaming platform that features both of their most popular esports franchises as well as over 780 other registered games. Still, CS:GO and Dota 2 are, by far, the most popular ones, with roughly half a million active players on a daily basis. PUBG, Rainbow Six Siege, and For Honor have slowly started to close the gap, but they still have a lot of work ahead of them if they are to come close to these two.
- Where Should I Do Pre-Betting Research for CS:GO?
Pre-betting research for Counter-Strike: Global Offensive can be done at a plethora of places. How come? Well, there’s just so many of them, and they all feature roughly the same statistics, so it’s really just a matter of preference. If you want to keep it as clean as possible, your best option is to use hltv.org. On the other hand, if you want more graphs and in-depth stats, your go-to website should be Gosu Gamers. They are updated frequently and have plenty of things to compare, but their website does take a bit of time to get used to.
What Are the Most Common Special Bets in CS:GO?
Pistol rounds, knife rounds, maps over/under, how many quadra kills, how many clutches, specific player kill count, etc…. These are just some of many available CS:GO special bets. Considering the fast-paced nature of the game with many quantifiable characteristics happening all the time, it is rather easy for bookmakers to develop interesting special bets to keep their clients on their toes.
Dota 2
Dota 2, successor to the iconic Defense of the Ancients (hence the name “Dota”) mod in Warcraft III, has managed to surpass the original in almost every aspect… including popularity. However, the most important thing surrounding Dota 2 isn’t its casual players. Nope – the focus is heavily on the competitive side of the deal. The International tournaments, to be more precise. With heaps of money on the line, Dota 2 looks to be the strongest esports franchise at the moment.
- Where Should I Do Pre-Betting Research for Dota 2?
Dotabuff, Stratz, and datDota are the three most popular stats sites for the biggest esports game of them all. While there is a noticeable difference between these three websites, the basis is the same – detailed stats for everything related to professional teams, players, and heroes they use. These sites really are the best ones out of the bunch, going so deep as to even give stats on farm trends throughout matches.
- What Are the Most Common Special Bets in Dota 2?
As far as special bets for Dota 2 go, the situation is basically the same as with League of Legends. Most of the biggest esports bookies sport plentiful Dota 2 special bets. However, if you are not playing Dota 2 actively, their names might not be all that familiar. To shed some light on the topic, here are the most popular Dota 2 special bets – first Roshan kill, the first team to destroy towers or barracks, first team to get xx kills, team with the most kills, and so on. There are plenty of options, so choose carefully!
Overwatch
Already being labeled as the next big thing in esports, Overwatch certainly seems like a proper refreshment in the industry. It sports an interesting and highly addictive combination of the FPS and MOBA genres, forming them into a high-paced experience with a huge dose of competitiveness.
- Where Should I Do Pre-Betting Research for Overwatch?
As far as websites for stats and team analysis are concerned, your choices are a little more limited because Overwatch isn’t as popular as the three previously-explained titles. If you like to base your bets on precise statistics and the latest news on Overwatch teams, your go-to option should be Overbuff. This website features an incredibly detailed list of stats. They’re not just team-based but player-based as well. If you are a stats kind of person, you will fall in love with Overbuff at the very first glance.
- What Are the Most Common Special Bets in Overwatch?
Considering the fact that it only dates back to 2016, Overwatch is still in its early stages. The community may be booming, but supporting content is falling short of expectations. With that in mind, it’s sad to see esports bookies failing to add proper special bets for Overwatch markets. Most of the time, you will be able to enjoy match winner, handicap, and outright winner bets.
How Much Money Are Professional Gamers Making?
This is a very popular question that’s asked by potential future esports stars looking to prove their point to their parents that they can make a proper living from esports. But is this really the truth? Let’s check it out and see for ourselves!
Dota 2 Is an Absolute Champion Here
Dota 2 has by far the highest-paid esports athletes in the world. If we are to be more precise, out of the 50 highest-earning esports athletes at the moment, all 50 have made their fortune with Dota 2. Talk about consistency, right?
But jokes aside, it’s not surprising to see Dota 2 players dominating the money game. After all, Dota 2 is, financially, the strongest esports franchise at the moment. Just take a look at their The International tournaments. For instance, The International 8, which was played in August of 2018, gave out more than $25,000,000 in prize pool money. Yes, you read that right – 25 million USD!
The biggest portion of that money went to the winner, OG. More precisely, they received 44% of the total prize pool money, or slightly above $11,200,000. Of course, OG players were not splitting that entire sum amongst themselves. That money went to the entire organization, which includes numerous staff members. Players only got a small share of that cake, but still, it’s a pretty big one compared to the rest of the esports franchises.
What Are the Most Popular Esports Events?
There are several comprehensive factors in play as far as the event organization of the esports industry is concerned. Mainly, we have differentiations based on genres, geolocations, and main organizers. Genres represent the specific genres of video games (we already covered this above), while geolocations represent national, regional, or continent-specific organization levels.
The former (main organizers) can be considered the biggest names in the esports scene and are the base of the entire industry. They are pulling the strings behind the scenes and further increasing the popularity of esports through tournament organization, marketing deals, streaming platforms, and many more methods. Let’s check them out real fast before venturing into the most popular esports games in 2018!
Biggest Names in the Esports Industry
- FACEIT
Even though FACEIT is an independent esports platform for high-tier competitions with a presence in LoL, Rocket League, and Dota 2, their biggest focus is still on CS:GO. With 5 seasons of their Esports Championship Series already behind us, it’s safe to say FACEIT is one of the biggest names in CS:GO tournament organization.
Furthermore, FACEIT also hosted the 13th CS:GO Major – FACEIT Major London 2018, which ran throughout most of the month of September 2018. A total $1,000,000 in prize pool money was surely a decent motivation for all competing teams.
- ESL
We are sure many of you have heard about ESL already. ESL, formerly called Electronic Sports League, is one of the most popular esports event organizers at the moment. They have been in the game for many years and are considered by many people to be the founding fathers of the professional esports scene.
They feature a huge number of tournament series, including the likes of ESL One, Intel Extreme Masters, and ESL Play, which is open for everyone. They are not a game-specific organization by any means. It’s quite the contrary – ESL sports many esports games. CS:GO, Overwatch, Hearthstone, Rainbow Six Siege, LoL, and Dota 2 are just a small portion of them.
- DreamHack
DreamHack, one of the most popular gaming conventions and esports tournaments organizers, originated in Sweden. However, their business has spread all around the globe with the rapid developments in the esports industry. What first started out as a small business with big dreams grew to be so much more.
With gaming conventions, prestigious esports tournaments across a variety of games, gaming expos, digital art competitions, and the gathering beacon of gamers from all around the world, DreamHack has already earned its legendary status.
- WESG
This stands for World Electronic Sports Games; WESG is slowly (but surely) becoming a household name. Even though it’s not as “huge” as DreamHack and ESL, WESG is not backing up on its home turf. Its biggest esports international championships are located in Shanghai, China, with the organization tasks being outsourced to AliSports.
Just like FACEIT, ESL, and DreamHack, World Electronic Sports Games doesn’t concentrate on just one esports franchise. Its tournaments encompass the most popular ones, including Dota 2, StarCraft II, CS:GO, and Hearthstone, with the latter two expanding into female tournaments as well.
Where Can I Watch Esports Matches Online?
Esports matches are slowly making their way onto mainstream television. It’s been happening all over the place with TV stations such as NFL Network, Disney, ESPN, and CBS actively pursuing esports content to provide to their millennial viewers.
Still, over 90% of esports fans consume their esports content online. Most commonly, they are doing so via popular streaming services catered specifically towards games. Of course, we are talking about the likes of Twitch, YouTube Gaming, and the Steam.tv.
So, without further ado, let’s take a closer look at them and see what they are all about!
Twitch.tv
Twitch.tv is the bread and butter of online streaming services for gamers. They have been in the business for many years now, dating all the way back to the summer of 2011. Now they are considered the home of esports streaming, and rightly so, if you ask us. With unparalleled streaming service, no fees for streaming esports tournaments, and an active community, Twitch.tv is a force to be reckoned with as far as streaming services for gamers go.
YouTube Gaming
YouTube started its endeavor into gaming and streaming much later than Twitch.tv. More precisely, YouTube gaming was launched back in August 2015. Today, it features more than 25,000 video games, each with its own dedicated video collection as well as gameplay livestreams. Its biggest perk is its organization and structure. It might not be as popular as Twitch.tv yet, but it sure is going in the right direction.
Steam.tv
In August 2018, a brand-new player in the livestream for gaming industry appeared out of nowhere. Valve’s Steam.tv was set to take on the likes of YouTube Gaming and Twitch.tv. At the moment, it’s too early to make any prediction on whether or not it will succeed in its plans. However, we can confirm that Valve polished the experience quite neatly. Stream quality is great, and integrated text and voice chat makes for a pretty good feature-set.
What’s the Difference Between Offline and Online Esports Matches?
Offline
In marvelous venues, right underneath the spotlights, some of the best esports matches are being played all year round. And it just wouldn’t be the same without crowds cheering their favorite teams on from the stands. But with such great atmospheres comes great pressure, and only the best teams manage to deal with it.
Even though the internet is now more reliable than ever before, random connection issues can still occur in online play. A second of interrupted connection can mean a world of troubles for professional players. A small lag spike can make or break matches. Luckily, all major tournaments are played offline, meaning there won’t be any connection problems during the matches.
As said above, lag can be a game-killer if it occurs in competitive matches. That’s why offline matches are the safest ones to bet on since, as their name suggests, they don’t use the internet. Instead, they go through LAN, which eliminates all potential latency issues.
Online
You know that feeling when you are just about to make a frag, but a random lag spike occurs, and you’re dead meat? Well, technically, the same thing can happen in online tournaments to professional players. It’s not that rare, either – we’ve seen plenty of connection issues in online tournaments over the course of the last few years. That’s basically why all major tournaments are making the switch to LAN.
Slightly higher ping is not a crucial issue in amateur CS:GO matches, even if we’re talking about the competitive segment. However, when it comes to professionals, there’s a lot more to it than just a rank. There are sponsorships, fans, organizations, and lots of money on the line, so every ping hiccup can be terrifying.
DDoS stands for Distributed Denial of Service, and it’s a type of cyberattack that targets the bandwidth or resources of the targeted system. In this case, the system belongs to a particular professional player. “Hackers” then flood it with a massive amount of traffic, effectively rendering its internet connection unusable. DDoSing has been a big problem in the esports industry, and once again, it’s a big reason for switching to LAN systems.
Bottom Line | What’s the Difference?
As far as betting on offline and online matches go, we strongly advise you to stay away from online matches in the first few months of your esports betting career. Some of the issues explained above might show up and ruin your betting slips. It will make you feel awful and make you bet even more money to pull yourself out because the slips fell down because of technical issues.
On the other hand, if you lose a ticket on offline matches, it’s simply down to you making a bad call. No lag, no connection issues – just pure competitive gameplay. Next time, make sure your esports betting strategy is on point and do thorough research before validating that betting slip of yours!
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