What types of bets can I place on esports?
Comprehensive guide on the types of bets you can place on esports and how arbitrage betting ensures consistent profits.
What types of bets can I place on esports?
You can place a variety of bets on esports including match winner, map winner, handicap bets, and in-play bets among others.
Esports betting offers diverse options reflecting the dynamic nature of competitive gaming, catering to both casual fans and serious bettors.
While traditional esports bets often involve risk and guesswork, arbitrage betting provides a method to secure profits by exploiting odds differences across bookmakers.
Match Winner Bets
The most straightforward type of esports bet is the match winner, where you wager on which team or player will win the entire match. This is popular across all esports titles such as League of Legends, CS:GO, and Dota 2. The odds reflect the perceived strength of competitors and can vary significantly between bookmakers.
- •Simple and easy to understand
- •Pre-match betting mostly, but also available in-play
- •Odds fluctuate with team form and tournament stakes
💡Example of Match Winner Bet
If Team A has odds of 1.8 and Team B has odds of 2.0, a $100 bet on Team A would return $180 if they win.
Payout = Bet Amount x Odds = 100 x 1.8 = 180
Map Winner and Series Bets
Many esports matches consist of multiple maps or rounds. Betting on the winner of individual maps or the overall series adds depth to betting strategies. Map winner bets require predicting who will win a specific segment rather than the entire match, allowing for more nuanced wagers.
- •Allows leveraging knowledge of team strengths on specific maps
- •Often available for best-of-three or best-of-five series
- •Opens opportunities for diversified betting strategies
💡Map Winner Bet Example
In a best-of-three series, placing a bet on Team B to win map 2 at odds of 2.5 yields a $250 return on a $100 stake if successful.
Payout = 100 x 2.5 = 250
Handicap and Spread Bets
Handicap bets give one competitor a virtual advantage or disadvantage to balance the odds. For example, a team might start with a -1.5 map handicap meaning they must win by at least two maps for the bet to succeed. This type of bet increases the challenge but offers higher odds.
- •Balances uneven matchups
- •Requires understanding of team performance margins
- •Can lead to higher returns but with increased risk
💡Handicap Bet Example
If Team A has a -1.5 map handicap at odds of 2.2, they must win 2-0 in a best-of-three to win the bet.
Bet amount x odds = potential payout; success depends on margin
In-Play and Live Betting
In-play betting lets you place wagers as the esports event unfolds, allowing bets on evolving aspects such as next kill, next objective, or current round winner. This type of betting requires quick decisions and familiarity with game momentum, but also introduces volatility and unpredictability.
- •Dynamic odds changing in real-time
- •High engagement and excitement for bettors
- •Complex calculations make arbitrage tools like ArbitUp helpful
💡In-Play Bet Example
Betting on the next kill being by a specific player during a CS:GO round with live odds updating every few seconds.
Rapid calculations needed; arbitrage software can identify safe bets
Futures and Prop Bets
Futures bets involve wagering on long-term outcomes, such as tournament champions or total maps won over a season. Prop bets are specialized wagers on specific in-game events or player performances, like first blood or total kills. These bets offer variety but often have higher variance and risk.
- •Futures require patience and research
- •Prop bets add excitement with niche markets
- •Arbitrage betting can remove guesswork from futures risks
💡Futures Bet Example
Betting $50 on Team C to win the championship at 10.0 odds could return $500 if successful.
Payout = 50 x 10 = 500
Arbitrage Betting in Esports
Due to fluctuating odds across different bookmakers and diverse bet types, esports is a prime area for arbitrage betting. By placing bets on all possible outcomes at differing odds, bettors can lock in guaranteed profits regardless of the result. This eliminates the guesswork and risk common in traditional esports betting.
- •Takes advantage of odds discrepancies across sportsbooks
- •Requires precise calculations which can be automated by tools like ArbitUp
- •Ideal for bettors seeking consistent returns without risk
💡Arbitrage Betting Example
If Team A has odds of 2.1 at Bookmaker 1 and Team B has odds of 2.1 at Bookmaker 2, placing proportional bets on both ensures profit no matter who wins.
StakeA = Total Stake / (OddsA + OddsB/OddsA); StakeB = Total Stake - StakeA
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️Ignoring odds variations between bookmakers which can lead to missed arbitrage opportunities
- ⚠️Betting without understanding map or game-specific nuances, increasing risk
- ⚠️Failing to manage bankroll properly leading to potential losses
- ⚠️Placing in-play bets too slowly, missing the best odds
- ⚠️Not using tools to automate complex calculations causing errors in bet sizing
- ⚠️Overlooking bookmaker restrictions or limits that can void arbitrage bets
- ⚠️Chasing losses instead of sticking to a disciplined betting strategy
The Power of Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting removes uncertainty by ensuring guaranteed profits through exploiting price differences in esports markets.
- ✓Eliminates risk inherent in guessing match outcomes
- ✓Provides consistent, steady returns over time
- ✓Reduces emotional decision-making by relying on mathematical certainty
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This content is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Sports betting involves substantial risk. Only bet with money you can afford to lose. See our Terms of Service for complete legal disclaimers.