Counter-Strike 2 is one of the most popular esports titles thanks to its action-packed and entertaining professional scene. Most passionate CS2 fans will tune in to watch the best teams in the world play against each other in massive tournaments.
To escalate the thrill and entertainment provided by these professional matches, some fans love placing wagers on their favorite teams through esports betting. Alternatively, fans with a deep understanding of the game can also place educated bets that will make them some good money.
If you’re just getting started with CS2 betting, here’s everything you need to know about the most popular CS2 bet types you will often see.
What Is CS2 Match Betting?
Match betting in CS2 refers to placing wagers on professional matches. In any official professional match, betting websites will offer numerous betting lines in different categories, such as the winner of the match, the winner of a specific map, and other propositions and special bets. However, in this article, we’ll only cover the most popular betting types.
Main Categories Of CS2 Betting
In CS2 match betting, there are two primary categories of bets on a regular professional CS2 match. Normally, most matches are played in a Best of 3 format, meaning there is a maximum of three maps played throughout the match.
That being said, the three main types of CS2 betting are:
- Overall Series Betting – All the betting types under this category involve the entire series, such as which team wins the entire series, how many total maps will be played, etc.
- Individual Map Betting – All the betting types under this category focus on only one of the maps in the series, such as which team wins a specific map, round handicap CSGO betting, and more.
- Proposition Bets – All special bets that are not related to the final outcome or result of the game. These include first to X rounds, pistol round winners, as well as player proposition bets.
Now that we’re aware of series and map betting, let’s go for a more in-depth approach and discuss the most popular bet types under the different categories.
Overall Series CS2 Betting Types
Betting on the overall series of a professional CS2 match is probably the easiest way to bet on the game. You can place a wager on your favorite team winning a specific match, and depending on which bet types you choose, you won’t have to worry too much about the little details. It is highly recommended for beginners to bet on overall series bets.
Let’s go over the most popular betting types for the overall series category.
Series Winner
The series winner betting type is the most basic CS2 betting market. You are simply wagering money on which team is going to win the match. How close or dominant the score was will not matter, and how many maps played is also ignored. You are simply looking at the final result.
We highly recommend the series winner betting type for beginner bettors, as you won’t have to complicate any of the details. You can just watch the match and see whether your team emerges victorious or not.
Series Handicaps
One of the most popular betting types in the overall series category is handicap CSGO betting.
Sometimes, you will notice that a series is likely going to be one sided, with the two teams having 80% and 20% win probabilities. Betting on the series winner might not be worth the payout or the risk.
If you want something more entertaining in matches like these, you can bet on the series handicap. The series handicap gives the favorites a minus handicap, while the underdogs get a plus handicap. The handicaps are given in the form of -1.5 maps or +1.5 maps.
To cash a -1.5 bet, the team in question must win the series 2 – 0. Conversely, to win a +1.5 bet, the team in question will only have to win one map in the series.
Over/Under Maps
The next betting type is over/under maps. If you are unsure of which team will win the series, you can bet on the series being a close game or a blowout. As mentioned earlier, most CS2 matches are played in a Best of 3 format, meaning the series will either end 2 – 0 or 2 – 1 all the time.
For over/under maps, the betting lines are usually:
- Over 2.5 Maps
- Under 2.5 Maps
If you select over 2.5 maps, you are betting that the series will feature 3 maps and a 2 – 1 result either way, meaning the series was competitive. If you think the series is going to be a blowout for either team, you can bet on under 2.5 maps, implying you are predicting a 2 – 0 result.
Series Score
If you like chasing high odds, we suggest playing around the series score betting type. As the name suggests, you are predicting the exact score of the series at the end. This means you must choose the correct team to win, and also get the final map score right at the end.
Here are some examples of these bets:
- Team A 2 – 1 Team B
- Team A 2 – 0 Team B
- Team A 0 – 2 Team B
- Team A 1 – 2 Team B
Since you essentially have two layers to go through, the odds for the exact series score betting type is usually pretty high, going above 3.0 odds in an even matchup.
Individual Map CS2 Betting Types
If you are more knowledgeable or aren’t patient enough to wait an entire series, you can always place all your bets on a singular map within the series. As mentioned earlier, most matches are played in a Best of 3 format, so you will have up to three maps to bet on. As for Best of 1 matches, you’re pretty much betting on the entire series since it only consists of one map.
Map Winner
The map winner betting type is very simple. You are wagering your money on which team will win a certain map in the series. It doesn’t matter how close the map is, you are only looking at the final score.
Since most matches are played in Best of 3 format, you need to check which map you are betting on. You could bet on Map 1, Map 2, or Map 3. It is important to keep in mind that each team has the right to choose a map in the series, which is usually a map they are comfortable in.
It is a good idea to bet on a team on their map pick, since there must be a reason they have chosen it. However, always conduct research and check ast results before placing your bet!
Round Handicaps
Like series handicaps, round handicaps is another type of handicap CSGO betting. As you may know, every map depends on the number of rounds achieved by both teams. Teams who are favored to win the map will be given minus handicaps, while the opposing team will be given plus handicaps.
Betting on round handicaps can be a great choice if you are on a series where the winner is very obvious. However, they are even better when partaking in live betting, when the map is being played out. The round handicap values will be adjusted as the game is going on, allowing anyone to participate and get in on decent odds.
Over/Under Rounds
The last map-based betting type we’ll discuss is over/under rounds. The name of this betting type should already give you an idea of what it’s about. Here, you are essentially betting on whether the map will be a stomp or a close one.
Let’s say the over/under value is set to 21.5 rounds. This means you can bet on whether it’ll be under 21.5 rounds or over 21.5 rounds. You do not have to care about which team will win the map, as you are simply looking for how many rounds will be played throughout the map.
On maps that heavily favor one side, such as Nuke (CT Side) or Anubis (T Side), you would think both teams will perform well on the favored side, resulting in a high round count.
Proposition/Special CS2 Betting Types
If you’re too afraid to touch bets that depend on the outcome and result of a match, you can always try proposition betting markets which include some very fun lines. These bets are not related to the final score of the match, such as which team wins the series.
First To X Rounds
The “First to X Rounds” or the “Race To Rounds” betting type is usually played by players who don’t have much patience. Instead of having to watch the entire map or series, you can simply bet on which team will reach a certain number of rounds first.
Some examples of this betting type include:
- First To Reach 3 Rounds
- First To Reach 6 Rounds
- First To Reach 9 Rounds
Again, since it is a proposition bet, you don’t have to worry about your chosen team to win the entire map. Remember that some maps are CT-sided or T-sided, so you can also take that into account if you are betting on which team will reach 3 or 6 rounds first, for example.
Pistol Round Winner
The pistol round winner bet type is self-explanatory. You are simply betting on which team will win the first round of the half, commonly known as the pistol round.
However, you must remember that there are two pistol rounds in each map, so make sure you are aware of which one you are betting on. Usually, they are named “1st Pistol Round Winner” and “2nd Pistol Round Winner,” or something similar.
Most of the time, pistol rounds come down to raw aim. This is why teams with headshot machines like NiKo and b1t usually have a high pistol round win rate. Make sure to do your research, but also understand that these pistol rounds can be quite random and risky.
Player Propositions
Just like sports betting, you can actually bet on player proposition markets. This betting type allows you to focus on a specific player, praying that they overperform or even underperform.
Some examples of player proposition bets include:
- Player over/under X kills in the series.
- Player over/under X headshots in the series.
- Player over/under X AWP kills in the series.
When betting on player props, you should keep a close eye on the player you are betting on, including their recent form and statistics on their past matches.
Why Should You Try CSGO Match Gambling: Advantages
If you are still having second thoughts on whether to start CSGO betting on matches or not, then we suggest sticking around and referring to the list below as we will touch base on the most important advantages CSGO match gambling brings to the table. Here are the details.
- CSGO match betting is very popular: It goes without saying that CSGO betting on matches is by far the most popular esports on the market right now. This also means that there are a lot of events and leagues taking place every year.
- There is always something to bet on: Another important aspect of why you should give CSGO match gambling a chance revolves around always having the ability to bet on something. Alongside the most popular leagues, there are also Tier 2 and Tier 3 events played every day that you can wager on.
- Easy to get into: To be honest, even if you never played CSGO before, this game has a simple logic and it is easy to understand. After watching just a couple of matches, you will understand how the game works, and what are the objectives while also figuring out how to capitalize on potential bets.
- Enjoy various betting options: It is also worth noting that CSGO betting on matches is often packed with numerous betting options ranging from pre-match, live, and outright betting potentials. Moreover, players can take advantage of betting markets to get an even higher spectrum of valuable bets to wager on.
Best CSGO Tournaments & Leagues to Bet on
We already touched base on the fact that there are so many CSGO tournaments, leagues, and events to bet on. Alongside the most popular Tier 1 tournaments such as ESL Pro League, CS2 Majors, etc., there are also a lot of lower-tier events crawling with potential bets. All in all, below, we will introduce you to the events you should not miss out on when it comes to CSGO match betting.
- ESL Pro League: We all know how popular ESL Pro League is. Every year, they are evolving and offering intense matches bound to keep you on the edge of your seats. Pair that with incredible betting CSGO world gambling opportunities and you got yourself a perfect deal.
- BLAST Premier Events: Throughout the year, there are a lot of BLAST events played across the globe. Alongside the top tier teams, certain qualifiers will also feature lower ranked organizations that can provide excellent betting opportunities.
- CS2 Majors: Over the year, a total of 2 CS2 Majors are played and the best teams from all over the world will fight for their share of prize money and fame. Keep in mind that CS2 Majors also bring to play different qualifiers where you will find plenty of betting options by doing the proper research.
- IEM Events: Another series of tournaments you need to pay attention to is hosted by IEM. Over a single year, you can find between 3 to 5 such events which are covered in-depth by the best CSGO match gambling sites.
Useful Bonuses and Promotions For CSGO Match Gambling
Let’s face it, we all love receiving something for free, right? This is exactly what this section of our how to bet on CSGO guide is all about. In the upcoming text, you are going to find various bonuses and promotions tailored for punters interested in CSGO betting on teams.
Welcome Offers
It all begins with a welcome bonus offer. This one is usually activated through the usage of a promo code or by clicking on the referral link. All in all, it should provide new players with excellent rewards just by registering for an account on the website.
Keep in mind that welcome offers may range in rewards. Some betting sites will provide no deposit bonus such as free bets, while others will look to hook up new players with a deposit bonus that will grant them additional funds to play with. Lastly, welcome offers can also come in bundles and they can provide numerous additional perks.
Deposit Bonuses
Deposit bonuses can be a part of the welcome offer, but they can also be additionally handed out to existing customers. In our honest opinion, a deposit bonus is by far the best promotion you can get if you are interested in pro CSGO betting.
How does this bonus work you wonder? Here is the catch. If you claim a 100% deposit offer, this means that for the $100 that you deposit, the betting site will provide you an additional $100 to play with. Be aware that bonus funds have strict rollover that you have to meet before being able to withdraw received bonus funds.
Free Bets
Free bets are also commonly referred to as no deposit bonuses. So, how exactly do they work? Every once in a while, loyal players will receive rewards for playing regularly on the website. After receiving a free bet, they can then use it to wager on CSGO matches.
When calculating winnings from this offer, you should know that the free bet amount received through the promotion is deducted from the overall payout which only leaves you with the profits and not the whole wagered amount.
Enhanced Odds
Before going into detail about this one, we should inform you that not all gambling sites provide this type of promotion and this offer is only applicable to certain tournaments, leagues, or matches.
Here is how it works. If the usual odds of Team A to win at IEM Katowice 2014 are set to 1.60, with the enhanced odds promotion you can snatch much higher odds, such as 1.80. But, pay attention to the fact that there is always a maximum limit that you can wager on such a promotion, and usually, it maxes out around $50.
Cashback
We can all agree that no one likes to constantly lose money when betting on CSGO matches. However, the reality is, that you will often lose more than you will win. In comes the cashback promotion that is put in place to bring back part of the funds you lost while betting. To trigger this promotion, you will need to lose more than you have recently won. All in all, players should remember that rollover for the cashback promotion is simple and easy to meet.
Loyalty Rewards
If you are playing on a CSGO match betting site that has a loyalty or a VIP Club, you are bound to receive additional rewards just by playing on the website. Such rewards vary based on how much money you wagered in recent days, how many VIP Club levels you progressed through, and much more. On top of that, there are additional perks such as increased rakeback, free cases, and much more.
Should you budget and strategise when you CS2 gamble?
If you have decided you want to give CS2 eSports betting a go, then you can’t just rush into it and bet on the first match you see… with no CSGO gambling strategy and no real idea of staking. The most successful Counter-Strike gamblers use a staking method as a part of their strategy – and that’s something you need to consider.
Before taking a look at some of the best staking strategies, you need to know exactly what they are first…
Basically, a staking method is simply strategically deciding how much money you should stake on a bet. You can be flexible with it – and you might choose to have different staking methods for different types of bets.
A Percentage of Your Budget
Lots of bettors (both CS2 bettors and sports bettors) use this type of staking strategy, especially if they have a bit of a tight budget. This is basically just assigning a percentage of your budget to each of your bets – proportional to what you have to spend.
So, for example, if you have a budget of $100 for your CS2 bets, you might decide that your maximum stake is set at 5% – so you can’t stake any more than $5 per bet. However – it’s 5% of your overall budget. So, if you lose the first bet, you can only spend 5% of your remaining budget ($95)… and if you keep losing, your maximum bets get smaller and smaller.
If you were to win your first bet – your budget might go up to $150… in which case, your maximum bet would also go up – to $7.50. This is popular because it will keep your budget going for longer, so you won’t quickly run out of money.
Fixed Stakes Betting
Then, we have the popular fixed stake strategy – which is the more straightforward and most used of them all. As the name might suggest – you set yourself a stake and stick to it… a fixed stake. So, you may decide that no matter what your budget, whether it goes up or down, whether you win or lose, you bet $10 – fixed.
The reason why this is such a good idea is because it completely keeps emotion out of your betting – and discourages people from chasing losses or panicking. So, basically, there are no real decisions to make, no matter what is happening – you bet the same. You don’t make a massive bet to try and recoup losses – or make a huge bet because you’re riding the wave of luck – you bet unemotionally.
The Martingale System
If you’re a casino player – or a regular on the gambling scene, you may well have heard of this term, as it is one of the oldest staking systems in the gambling world. Although it can definitely be effective, if you aren’t careful, it can lead to serious losses… so you need to handle this one with care.
This is basically a system designed to recover losses – and you have to double your bet whenever you lose. Then, when you hit a win, you go back to your original stake. This is only a strategy for those with a big budget and don’t mind risk… because if you go through a long losing streak, the bets get bigger and bigger… and could potentially eat through your bankroll before you manage to get that win. Even if you start with just a $5 bet – if you lose 5 times in a row, you’ll lose $5 + $10 + $20 + $40 + $80 = $155… over many budgets!
Ultimately, you need to decide which is the best staking strategy for you. You can use one; you can use all three. For more straightforward bets like match-winner bets where you have more confidence, you might go for the Martingale, but for the special bets and props bets, you might go for percentage-based bets – and for other types, you might go for fixed stake betting. Make the decision based on what’s best for you and your budget… but decide what you are going to do before you start betting!
Top CS2 Gambling Strategies
Once you’ve decided on your staking strategy, you then need to work out your CSGO betting strategy – and this will depend on a whole host of different factors. You need to figure out your style of betting, your budget, your risk tolerance and what you are most comfortable.
That being said, here are some that you might want to consider…
Pre-Match Betting
Probably, the most popular way to bet is pre-match… before the action kicks off. This basically simply requires you to place your bet before the match begins… or even make outright bets on tournaments before they begin. If you want to give yourself the best chance of success with this strategy, research is essential.
The good news is that, in the world of CS2, there are all sorts of different tools and resources available to help you. There are all sorts of websites available that keep you updated with all the latest news and information on players and teams. So, for example, if a player has recently been swapped out – or if a team has gotten themselves a new coach, it could have a big impact on their performance – and whether they win or lose their next match.
You should also compare the various odds available for the best you want to make. This can help you to pick the best bookmaker to make those best – and give you more value for money if you are lucky. They might only be small differences, but they can add up over the longer term.
Live and In-Play CS Betting Strategies
This is getting ever more popular with CS2 gamblers – as it really ups the action and the ante. However, it’s really straightforward as well. This is all about betting on a match as it’s actually being played out – so you can see what’s happening and how the teams and players are performing to help you make your decisions. It’s also available at pretty much any decent CS2 gambling site.
To succeed with this, you need to try and spot the best opportunities – and take advantage of them. This is a strategy where you need to be patient… wait for the right bet and the right odds – and then strike.
For example, there might be a match where there are pre-match odds of no more than 1.5 for the favorites to win. However, if you wait for the match to start playing, you’ll find that the odds start to fluctuate – sometimes quite dramatically. If the other team takes the lead, especially if it’s a substantial lead, you’ll find that the odds for the favorites to win will be considerably higher… so if you place a bet on them when the time is right and they manage to turn the match around, you’ll get a much bigger payout than if you bet on them pre-match.
Map Veto Betting Strategy
If you’re familiar with the team game, you’ll know that some teams are better on certain maps – and underperform on other maps. There are seven competitive maps in the competitive map pool – and many teams focus on becoming super strong on some of those maps and accept that they have weaknesses on other maps. This strategy will require you to look at the map veto after match betting has already started.
First of all, you need to research what maps the two teams have decent winning streaks on. So, for example, if the Terrorist Team – Team A has a 5-match winning streak on the Dust II map – and it isn’t vetoed out by Team B, then it’s likely that Team A is guaranteed at least one map win from a best of 3 match. However, it also goes the other way. If a team has two weaker maps that manage to make it through the veto in a best of 3 match, they’re likely to lose.
What’s more, lots of the best CS bookmakers let you bet on certain map results as well – which is great if you’ve done this research! Ultimately, for those who know their teams and have done their research, this is a great strategy.
Betting on Form Vs Ranking
Two factors that you need to consider when making your CS2 bets are the form and the ranking of the two teams playing. However, these don’t necessarily always correlate. If you have a higher-ranking team that’s in the best form, it’s fairly straightforward. However, you may find that although one team has a higher ranking, but the other team is in better form. What then?
If Team A is higher ranked, the chances are the bookmakers will have them as favourites over Team B – which basically means that you’ll get better odds if you bet on Team B. If you notice that Team B currently is on better form, it’s a good bet – not only will they have decent odds, but they have a fairly solid chance of winning. As such, if you are in a place of trading off ranking versus form, it’s a good idea to go with form.
The form that any team is in is essential when you’re looking to bet on a match. It’s not unusual for a team that’s in good form to beat a team that’s not in the best form – even if it is a higher-ranked team. What’s more, you’ll also find occasions when bookies don’t take the current form into consideration when putting together their odds – and this really could put you one step ahead.
So, look at the match history of the teams and if you come across a match where a lower-ranked team in good form is taking on a higher-ranked team in questionable form – it’s a good idea to look out for good odds and take a punt!
Only Take Value Bets
If you’ve ever made any type of bet before, you’ll appreciate that you should only go with a bet that represents value. However, you need to be able to work this out for yourself – as they won’t come with a flashing neon label! Basically, you’ll need to know the real odds of an event happening and compare it to the bookmaker’s odds of it happening.
So, there might be a match where the bookies have put odds of 1.2 on the favorite team to win. This isn’t a great return… and even if you bet $100, you’ll only get $20 in profit. If you have done your research and looked at this team – and noticed that there are some issues, or they are going through a phase of change, then you might be better off betting against them. If you bet on them at 1.2 when you’re unsure of their form, the risk is relatively high, and the reward is pretty low – so it’s not a value bet.
On the other hand, the bookies might have the underdog as only having a 20% chance of winning – but your research has suggested that they have a better chance, maybe 35% or even 40%. In this case, it might be better to bet on the underdog as they have a better chance of winning than they’re given credit for, which is essentially a value bet.
The great thing about CS2 betting is that you don’t have to pick just one strategy and stick to it! You can look at all the different match betting options and decide which one you think works for that specific match.
However, the one strategy you should always stick to is set yourself a budget, don’t chase losses and keep it fun!
Our Top Counter-Strike Betting Tips
So, we’ve looked at the best budget and betting strategies for CS2 betting. Now it’s time to check out some of our top CSGO betting hacks and tips…
Avoid Chasing Losses / Tilting
Whether you prefer to call it tilting or chasing losses, it’s something you should avoid at all costs – no matter what type of gambling it is. If you are starting to get tired, frustrated or angry, it can lead to you making irrational and potentially dangerous decisions – as these rarely end up with a happy ending. Even the most experienced have (or have been tempted to) tilt. Betting on matches you haven’t researched and betting over your budget can have pretty serious consequences.
Look Out for the Best CS Betting Opportunities
If you keep your ear close to the ground and your eyes peeled, then from time to time, you’ll find some great CS2 betting opportunities. If you have done lots of research and you know a lot about the top teams and players – including their most recent matches, matches and actions, then it’s a lot easier to get one over on the bookies.
By keeping updated with team roster changes, new patches, controversies and ranking versus form, you’ll be able to easier spot when the bookmakers haven’t quite got the odds right – and use it to your advantages.
Watch CS2 Matches
Even if you aren’t a CS2 player – or you don’t even consider yourself a major fan, it’s still pretty straightforward to start CS2 betting. All you need to do is find out some general information on the game – and start watching the matches and paying attention to what’s happening. There are all sorts of streams available, so you’ll be able to find plenty of places where you can watch matches and tournaments. You’ll get all sorts of valuable insights into the games and find out what you need to know about the teams and players.
Understand Betting Odds
We’ve mentioned previously the importance of only going for good value bets – and you can only spot a good value bet if you understand the basics of odds.
At most CS2 betting sites, you’ll find that they use decimal odds – and the good news is that this is extremely easy to get to grips with.
In a match, Team A might have odds of 1.6, while Team B might be 2.4. In this instance, if you bet $10 on Team A, if they win, you’ll get a return of $16 – so that’s your original $10 stake plus a $6 profit. However, if you put your $10 bet on Team B, you’ll get a $24 return – which is your $10 stake plus a $14 profit.
The maths behind it is very simple – Stake x Odds = Total Payout.
Look at Special Bets
As well as the straightforward match winner bets, there are lots of special bets you might want to look at, that can be a great addition to your CS betting strategy. These can be higher-risk bets than standard bets – which means they can pay out pretty decent money if you win.
As well as tournament winners and match winners, you’ll find various special bet options such as First Blood, Handicap Bets, Over/Under – and even if there will be overtime. Not only can they give you some great margins, but they can also add a bit of variety as well – and keep things fresh.
Choose the Best CS2 Bookmaker
No matter what type of bet you go for or what strategy you use, choosing the right CS2 bookmaker is a must. The top bookmakers will not only offer lots of different betting options and betting markets, but they will also offer the best odds across the board. They’ll be fully licensed and secure, have excellent customer support, accept a variety of different payment options – and pay out quickly and efficiently.
CS2 – Responsible Gambling
There are plenty of betting strategies and tips to help you make the most of your CS2 gambling experience, but no matter what else you do, you need to make sure that you always practise responsible gambling.
Let’s look at how you can best control your gambling:
- Set a Budget: Before starting out, you need to set aside a budget for your gambling – that you can afford to lose. Assume you will lose, be prepared to lose – and treat winning as a bonus. You should never bet more than you have set aside, and when the budget runs out, come back again another day with a fresh budget.
- Set Yourself Time Limits. If you find that you’re spending a lot of time gambling – and it’s affecting other areas of your life, take a step back. Give yourself time limits, and don’t get carried away. It shouldn’t interfere with your day-to-day life.
- Play with a clear head: Go into gambling with an open and clear mind. Never gamble if you’re intoxicated or aren’t in full control of your emotions. Avoid gambling if you’re stressed, angry or upset and keep it fun. If you find yourself getting annoyed or frustrated and tempted to make rash decisions, step away. As the saying goes, keep it fun!
So, there you have it! Our top strategies and tips for gambling on CS2. It’s really easy to get started – just find the right CS betting site, set your budget, pick your strategy (or strategies), look through our CSGO betting secrets – and make sure you do your research so you make the most informed betting decisions. Have fun – and good luck!