eSports Betting Strategy for 2021

Despite the global lockdowns caused by COVID-19, the eSports scene remains largely unaffected. While a lot of players are unable to travel and attend LAN tournaments, there are still plenty of eSports events being organized around the world. With tournaments like the Fornite World Cup, League of Legends World Championship, and Rocket League Championship rising in popularity, 2021 is starting to look like the year when eSports will become bigger than ever, especially if we get the global pandemic under control.  

Whether you’re an experienced punter or you are a newcomer to the world of eSports betting, there are a few things you should know before placing your bet. That’s why we’ve prepared the ultimate betting strategy guide for any avid gamer looking to cash in on their knowledge.

Learn More About the Game You’re Betting On

Here’s the best piece of advice that any skilled punter out there can tell you: bet only on things you understand.

Football fans are more likely to bet on football games than basketball or baseball for a reason, and anyone who’s enthusiastic about the NBA will rather bet on the game and the teams they know instead of relying on luck. If you bet on a sport you’re unfamiliar with, you’ll just be throwing your money away.

There are several ways you can learn about the games you plan to bet on, and one of them is to simply play the game. By understanding how the game works, you’ll be able to determine what makes a team good and what kind of advantages and disadvantages they have over their opponents.

Additionally, you can always rely on streaming platforms like Twitch, where you can follow players or streamers who regularly comment on professional eSports games. This will give you a better insight into game mechanics and team performances.

Time Your Bet

Depending on the game or the event you are betting on, bookies will occasionally allow you to place your bets early. In some cases, you can even bet weeks before the game.

However, just because you can, it does not mean that you should.

Sportsbooks often change and adjust their odds, which is why waiting right before the match starts can be more beneficial for you. Naturally, this varies from one event to another, so make sure to do your research and take the sportsbook and the game into consideration before placing a bet.  

Follow the Latest eSports News

The more you know about the game and the teams, the easier it will be for you to make a calculated prediction and bet correctly.

One of the things we recommend is following the teams on social media platforms like Twitter or Reddit. That way, you’ll be able to find out more about the teams and players and learn if a player is, for example, unable to attend the event because they’re feeling unwell.

Things like these can affect a team’s performance, and you can use information like that to your advantage and stay ahead of the sportsbooks.

Never Bet Angry

Regardless of what you’re betting on, one thing that every experienced punter can agree on is to never let your emotions get the best of you.

People will often bet on their favorite teams, even though, statistically, they are much less likely to win. Other times they’ll rush to place bets after winning big because suddenly they have money to spare.

An even worse idea is chasing your losses and continuing to bet after losing one or more consecutive bets in hopes of recovering the money you’ve previously lost.

Regardless of the specifics, these practices can lead to huge money losses. This is why you should always stay level-headed and bet based on statistics and information at your disposal, not your emotions.

Bet Using Skins

There are different types of eSports betting, and in some cases, you will be allowed to bet “skins” instead of real money if the sportsbook or the site you are betting on allows it. Skin is an audio or graphic download that allows players to change their in-game avatars, weapons, or other items. They offer a purely aesthetic change. 

Even though they are simple in-game items, skins are very valuable. Some skins can sell for hundreds or even thousands of dollars, so use them carefully.

Before you decide to bet using skins, you should check the Steam community market. There you can evaluate the price of the items and determine whether you should bet the skin or save it for when it becomes more valuable.

Generally speaking, skins from older collections are more valuable as they become increasingly harder to obtain, so if you are determined to bet with skins, use only the ones you wouldn’t mind losing.

Find the Best Competitive Odds

eSports betting is more popular than ever, which is why more and more bookies include it on their websites. What that means for punters is that the market is becoming more competitive, resulting in better betting odds.

Instead of sticking to a single bookie, explore all the options out there. This can be particularly useful for anyone betting larger sums since it results in a much bigger payout increase.

The odds can vary from one game or tournament to another, so find the best odds for the game you are trying to bet on and mix your bets between multiple sportsbooks. 

Explore Other Betting Types

A lot of sportsbooks offer special types of bets you can place. Depending on the game that you’re betting on, this can include bets like the first team to win a map or the first team to draw blood.

In CS:GO, for example, you can bet on which team will win more pistol rounds. Rather than relying solely on team stats, be mindful of teams having legendary pistol players like Dennis and Rain in their roster or even the Deagle masters like NiKo and S1mple. Players like these can often single-handedly win a map.

Instead of always betting on who you think the winner is going to be, you shouldn’t shy away from special bets. Always look for opportunities to apply your knowledge of the game to win.