Over the years, computer games became so popular that it was a matter of time before the same happened with eSports. It is a new form of entertainment that many people enjoy globally. To define it simply, we can say that eSports is a way of competitive gaming, kind of similar to traditional sports, with a lot of fans and followers, teams and matches, and of course, betting on who will win.
This kind of entertainment is streamed live around the world, where millions of fans watch and comment on contests. It is mostly done through streaming platforms like YouTube and Twitch, so you really only need an internet connection to access it. Winners can take home really big prizes and salaries, and at the biggest tournaments, players compete for million-dollar prizes. That is a lot of money and it kind of contributed to this industry becoming a billion-dollar business in the past years. You can choose to play real-life sports, like FIFA, NBA, MLS, or you can opt to play classic esports games like League of Legends, DOTA 2, CS, and a lot more.
So the main question that everyone wants to know is how esports betting works. In this article, we are going to define the main components that every beginner needs to know before they start betting in this industry.
Types of betting
There are three main types of betting in this industry. You can do it through an online platform with real money and fixed odds. You can also choose to do it in private with other individuals, also called social betting. Or maybe you want to bet in-game.
Players tend to place their bets specifically on particular actions. For example, in games like DOTA 2 and League of Legends, you can guess who will make the first kill in a match, and place your wager on that. You can also guess who will win the match or the final score, and who will win the tournament. There is an option to guess if there will be an odd or even number of games won, players defeated, or rounds played. Also, you can place a wager on whether a team will score better or worse than what was set by the online platform. Overall, you can make a lot of different combinations and bet on each one.
Popular markets
There are tons of popular eSports betting markets. This industry is huge and has a big catalog of different games. Every player should remember to check the details about a specific game because every game has its own unique bet market. Some of the most common are: outright winner, handicap betting, parlay or accumulator, some specific game, and a lot more.
The most popular esports games, besides the ones that we mentioned already, are FIFA, Rocket League, and Call of Duty. These games gain a lot of money throughout the year since most players focus on placing their wagers on them. They have options to play as an individual or as a team. Most of them are action games and require you to have a certain level of skill and tactical knowledge in order to win.
Top Tips to Succeed
To thrive in this industry, you need to follow some common tips that every gamer should know. First, it is very important to research the game and to know whether it is the one for you and whether you have the necessary knowledge. Then you should research the team and players so that you know the competition well. You should analyze their past winnings, their strategies, and come up with your own betting strategy. You should also choose a good sportsbook for this. The most popular out there are 888 Sport, Betway, and William Hill.
Potential Risks
Although this industry is becoming more popular every year, and it is accessible to everyone with an internet connection, it also has some potential risks because of that. It can encourage young people to participate because it is still not regulated. With social media and the internet, young people have access to information and can see events and tournaments. They can be drawn to participate through the fun memes or different ads. Another concern is that there are people who do not quite understand the games but still decide to participate, and that can develop some sort of addiction. So, it is very important to engage with caution and to be informed on everything.
The Bottom Line
Betting on esports is a trend these days, and it is expected to grow even more in the next few years. Beginners should always research before they engage, and find out everything there is. You should inform yourself about the types, the different catalogs, about trusted sites, payment methods, and a lot more. It should be a fun, unique, and safe experience for you.