Thinking about getting into betting on esports? The world of esports has been growing rapidly for years. It saw another substantial jump in 2020 as major sports were cancelled and sports bettors looked for other wagering opportunities. In this full 2021 guide to esports betting, we will introduce you to the basics: games to bet on, types of wagers, tips, and more.
Why Wager on Esports?
As the popularity of esports continues to surge, it is becoming a fixture of modern culture. Rick Yang of the venture capital firm NEA explains, “I actually think of esports as the mainstreaming of gaming, or the pop culture instantiation of gaming versus the pure idea of these players becoming professionals to compete at the highest levels.”
Statista says, “In 2021, sports betting revenue is forecast to reach 2.5 billion U.S. dollars and, by 2025, this figure is anticipated to grow to eight billion U.S. dollars.”
Here are some reasons people love to watch and wager on esports:
- You can play the same games that you bet on. Playing the games makes watching and betting on them more exciting, and vice versa. Each gives you insights that contribute to the other.
- There is almost always something going on in the world of esports. You will never run out of things to watch or wager on, even in a pandemic.
- Esports games feature intense, fast-paced action. There is never a dull moment.
What Games Can You Bet On?
There are a lot of popular esports games you can bet on, but here are some to start with:
- Apex legends
- Call of Duty
- CS:GO
- DOTA 2
- FIFA
- Fortnite
- League of Legends
- Hearthstone
- Overwatch
- Starcraft 2
- World of Tanks
Those are just a few examples! You will find plenty more out there.
Some esports games are paid while others are free. But regardless, you too can install these games and participate in them. Doing so is a great way to learn and plan your wagers.
Types of Esports Bets
What are some of the different types of esports wagers that are available in 2021?
- To-win: Wager on the winner of a match.
- Totals: Bet on how many points a player will score, how many kills a team will score, or other stats for a match.
- Over/Under: Here is an example of this type of wager: Will player X score more or less than Y points in a match?
- Futures: If you want to bet on a match or tournament that is scheduled some time away (i.e. a few months), you can make a futures bet.
- Accumulator: This is any type of wager where you combine multiple selections, such as with a parlay. If all of your selections win, you win the accumulator bet. If any one of your selections loses, so does the entire accumulator.
- Prop: Betting on any event that has no direct connection to the outcome of an esports match or tournament is making a “proposition bet,” or “prop bet.” You might, for instance, wager on the map rotation.
- In-play: This is when you place a bet while a match is in progress. It is also called a “live” bet.
If you have sports betting experience in general, all of these types of wagers should already be familiar to you.
Esports Betting Tips
Next up in our 2021 guide to esports betting, here is some general advice for betting profitably on esports:
- Research statistics for players and teams, as you would for regular sports. Doing so will allow you to make strategic predictions about what may happen in future matches or tournaments.
- Pay very close attention to the motivations, dispositions, and fatigue levels of esports players. Professionally playing esports is very intense. Most players are also incredibly young. As a result, they can be emotionally volatile and subject to burnout. This can impact how they play in a dramatic fashion sometimes.
- Watch and play esports. The more time you spend watching the streamers you will be betting on, the more you will learn about their personalities and play styles. And the more time you spend playing the same games yourself, the more you will understand the challenges and opportunities that present themselves in matches.
- Check the rules. Esports formats from tournament to tournament may differ quite a lot. So, do not let yourself be caught off guard. Always double check what you can expect for an upcoming event.
- Look for value in the odds. A common amateur mistake when betting on sports is to think that the key to making money is solely in making correct predictions. But finding value in the odds is a critical component of success. So, shop for value when you bet on esports. That means checking the odds on more than one site before you make a bet.
Those are just a few recommendations. You will want to do more research into strategies if you are serious about making bank with esports betting. Also, do not forget about the importance of money management. Wagering small, consistent percentages of your bankroll can help you stay in the game for longer.
Betting psychology is important as well. Discipline, honesty, consistency, patience, and emotional regulation will all help you achieve better results as you wager on esports.
Where Can You Bet on Esports in 2021?
You may be excited to bet on esports now, but where can you do it? There are numerous sports betting websites out there that take wagers on esports, and it can be hard to know where to begin.
We recommend visiting Sick Odds, where you can compare popular sports betting sites for esports. You’ll be able to read about bonuses and promotions, odds, deposits and withdrawals, customer service, and other features.
Consider opening accounts at more than one sports betting site. Why? Because that way, you will be able to check out odds at multiple sites and immediately capitalize on the best ones you come across. We hope you enjoyed our 2021 guide to esports betting!