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After effects from the events of 2020 and 2021 are still being felt in esport. During those strange months, esport saw major tournaments cancelled or postponed just like physical sports. However, some were able to still take place online, and these attracted a spike in viewer numbers that has not really subsided since the world returned to normal.
Placing your bets
These days, it’s increasingly common for those following sport to place a wager or two. It can be fun, when betting responsibly of course, to have a few dollars of your own money resting on the outcome, and that holds as true for esport as it does for football, hockey or horseracing.
CS:GO has become one of the esports of choice for sports betting, and enthusiasts can log on to place their bets from literally all over the world, in South East Asia, Europe and especially the US. Gamble Online sportsbook reviews provide guidance on the best online sportsbooks for esport betting. It is fair to say that CS:GO betting is a craze that shows no sign of diminishing, even now that regular sports leagues like the NFL and NBA have returned to normal. Want to try it for yourself? Here are some pointers to help you get started.
Getting to grips with CS:GO odds
CS:GO odds typically work in the same way as they do for any other sport. If you’re accustomed to sports betting, you will be fine, but if not, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with two systems. Odds can be expressed in one of two ways, either as a fraction or a decimal. Let’s look at two examples.
If one team is a strong favourite for the win, it might have odds of 1/2. In words, this is “one to two on” and as a decimal, it’s expressed -200. It means that if you back this team with $10 and they win, you’ll get a payout of just $5 (plus your stake will be returned).
The other team, which is obviously the underdog and unlikely to win might have odds of 7/1 or “seven to one.” If they manage to pull off a shock victory, then your $10 bet will earn you a $70 reward, plus the return of your stake.
Different types of CS:GO bets
Sports books are forever coming up with new types of bets, but when you start out, keep it simple and focus on these three:
- Map Winner – this is the fastest way to bet, and you’ll know soon enough whether you’ve won or lost. Get your bet in at the last possible moment and do your research, as some teams have better records on certain maps than others.
- Series Winner – here, individual maps are less of a concern, as that should all balance out in the end. Bookmaker odds provide a useful guide, but also do your own research on both form and past results between specific teams and players.
- Event Winner – this is a little like betting on which team will win the Super Bowl as opposed to a specific game of football. Here, pay specific attention to the type and format of the tournament, as some team performances can differ dramatically between one and another.
