The Complete Esports Betting Guide

Whether you're getting started with your first esports bet or have been at it for a while, knowing the different types of bets can make your betting experience more interesting and help you win more. 

This esports betting guide explains all betting types, from simple match winners to more advanced options like accumulators and prop bets. 

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What is Esports Betting and How to Bet?

Esports betting is just like regular sports betting, but for competitive video games like League of Legends, Dota 2, or CS2. You place bets on who will win a match, which team will get the first kill, or even how many rounds a game will have. 

To start, you pick a trusted betting site, make an account, add some money, and choose the type of bet you want to make.

Main Types of Esports Bets


Esports betting offers a variety of ways to engage with your favorite games and teams. Here are the main types of bets you’ll come across.

Match Winner

A Match Winner bet is among the simplest and most popular esports bets. You're betting on which team or player will win the match – no need to predict scores, maps, or any in-game stats. It's a great starting point for beginners and works across most esports titles like CS2, League of Legends, and Valorant.

Tournament Winner (Outrights)

A Tournament Winner bet – sometimes called an outright – is when you bet on which team or player will win the tournament, not a match. You usually place this kind of bet before the event kicks off, and since it's harder to predict, the odds (and potential payout) are often higher. Outrights are popular for major events like The International, CS2 Majors, or League of Legends Worlds.

Group or Bracket Bet

A Group or Bracket bet lets you pick which team will win their group or section of a tournament. It's not about the whole event – just one part of it. For example, you might bet on who finishes first in Group B or who advances from a specific bracket round. It's a great option if you know a few teams well.

Advanced Esports Betting Options

Once you're comfortable with the basics, there are advanced esports betting options that offer higher risk, more strategy, and potentially bigger rewards.

Handicap Betting

Handicap betting is used to even the playing field when one team is clearly stronger. The favorite gets a disadvantage (like starting with a -1 map), and the underdog gets a head start (like a +1 map). To win your bet, the team has to cover the handicap. These bets make one-sided matches more interesting and the odds more rewarding.

Accumulators (Parlays)

An Accumulator, or a Parlay bet, combines several bets into one big bet. All your picks have to win for you to get paid, but the payout can be much higher than placing each bet separately. For example, you could bet on three different teams to win their matches—if even one loses, the whole bet is off. It's riskier, but the rewards can be significant if everything goes your way.

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Conditional & System Bets

In esports betting, Conditional Bets mean your second bet only happens if your first one wins. It's like saying, «I'll only bet on Game 2 if I win Game 1.» System Bets are a bit different — you're betting on a bunch of matches in various combos, and you don't need to get them all right to win something. It's a safer way to bet if you want more chances to get a payout.

Over/Under & Odd/Evens

In esports betting, Over/Under bets are about guessing if something like total kills, rounds, or points will be more or less than a number set by the site. For example, if the line is 20 kills, you bet whether it'll be over or under that. Odd/Even bets are even simpler — you just guess if the total number (like kills or rounds) will be an odd or even number. It's more of a 50/50 type of bet.

Player & Map-Specific Bets 

For those who know the games and players inside out, player and map-specific bets offer a deeper, more detailed way to get involved. These bets focus on in-game moments and individual performances rather than just match outcomes.

First Kill / First Blood

A First Kill or First Blood bet is when you try to predict which team or player will get the first kill in a match. It happens early in the game, usually in the first few minutes, and it's super popular in games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and CS2. 

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Total Kills / Rounds

A Total Kills or Total Rounds bet is about guessing how many kills or rounds will happen during a match. You're not picking a winner—you're just betting on the total number. For example, you might bet over 25 rounds in a CS2 match or under 50 kills in a Dota 2 game. It's a good choice if you think the match will be close or one-sided. 

MVP or Top Player

An MVP or Top Player bet is when you try to guess which player will perform the best in a match or tournament. You're betting on who will stand out—maybe with the most kills, best plays, or overall impact. It's a great option if you know the star players and want to back someone you think will carry the game.

Special In-Game Events

Special In-Game Events bets let you gamble on specific things during a match, beyond just who wins. It could be stuff like which team gets the first dragon in League of Legends, who plants the most bombs in CS2, or how many towers are destroyed. This bet type is a good choice if you know the game well and can spot team play patterns.

Why Should You Use Different Types of Esports Bets?

Using different types of esports bets is a smart way to keep things fun and boost your chances of winning. Each type of bet gives you a different way to play — some are riskier, some are safer, and some let you be more creative with your predictions. 

Mixing things up can help you manage your money better, learn more about the games, and find what works best for your style. Plus, it keeps the betting experience fresh and interesting.

FAQs Esports Betting Guide

🎮 What is esports betting?

Esports betting is when you place bets on competitive video game matches, just like you would with traditional sports.

🎮 How do you bet on esports?

Esports betting is when you place bets on competitive video game matches, just like you would with traditional sports.

🎮 What are the different types of esports bets?

There are many options like match winner, tournament winner, over/under, first blood, and more — each gives you a different way to play.

🎮 What is the difference between match-winner and tournament-winner bets?

A match-winner bet is on who wins a single game, while a tournament-winner bet is on who takes the whole event.

🎮 What is a first blood bet in esports?

It's a bet on which team or player will get the first kill in the match.