TL;DR
- The speed of change within esports games creates a key point of difference from standard sports betting.
- Following game updates and having a good level of knowledge of players’ strengths and weaknesses will give you a good chance of finding success in esports betting.
- Some of the leading esports betting platforms include BetUS, BetWhale, and BetOnline
There’s a lot of money to be made in sports betting, and now the esports scene is starting to catch up. Websites and apps make it easy to place wagers on your favorite athletes and tournaments, plus betting is available for dozens of esports titles.
Anybody can place a bet, but there are a few strategies you should follow to give yourself the best chance to win. We’re going to walk you through how to make money in esports and share a few key strategies for esports betting. It’s important to note that none of these methods guarantee success, and you should always bet within your limits when considering real money esports betting.
How does esports betting differ from sports betting?
Multiplayer video games are always evolving, so wagerers will need to follow any changes made to the game, plus new additions like operators or maps. Sports generally have specific rule sets that remain in place indefinitely, while the landscape of a game like Fortnite completely changes every few months.
For example, the upcoming Rainbow Six Siege tournament, Reload, is going to take place using Siege X. Even if you’re a seasoned Siege player, it’ll be harder to predict how athletes may adapt to the new gameplay features in Siege X, a successor to the popular FPS.
Balance patches aren’t the only difference between esports and traditional sports. Esports teams change their rosters at different rates than the NFL or NBA, creating another challenge for predictability.
Esports betting – strategies for success
There are many strategies you can employ to improve your chances of correctly predicting the outcome of an esports match. Most notably, it is essential to follow a game’s balance updates and which version the tournament takes place on.
Some athletes perform better in new patches that buff their main character. Additionally, playing the game yourself can offer unique insight. If you’re serious about esports betting, then closely following your game of choice is wise.
The best ways to make money betting on esports
These strategies will help you better understand how to accurately predict outcomes in esports betting.
- Take age into account – Younger esports athletes have some advantages, but older competitors may be more mature and focused on winning.
- Study the team’s map performance – There are many ways that matches can vary, including the map. Some teams perform better on certain maps, so study up on which locations fit each competitor best. This is especially important for tactical shooters, like Rainbow Six Siege.
- Focus on the current patch – If a melee meta is dominating Fortnite, then avoid making bets on athletes who tend to use snipers. Games evolve constantly, so make sure that whoever you bet on benefits from the current version of your preferred esports.
- Follow individual athletes – The more you know about an athlete, the better your chances of betting on the sharpest competitor. Teams traveling from other countries are more likely to experience jet lag, while athletes who recently joined a team may not have built team synergy yet.
- Go for prop bets – Sometimes, simply betting on who will win a match or tournament isn’t the best way to gamble. You can also place bets on certain aspects of a match, like score or eliminations, and these wagers are sometimes more profitable.
Disclaimer: Gambling carries financial risk and can lead to addiction. Always gamble responsibly, play within your limits, and never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Common mistakes in esports betting
One of the biggest mistakes made in esports betting is a lack of focus on the individual factors of a match. The map and characters used will heavily affect the sway of a match, especially if an athlete struggles with certain mechanics.
You should also avoid betting on the same team or athlete repeatedly. Unlike a football team, the parameters of a match change based on the specific tournament and balance patch. Though a team may perform exceptionally well in Fortnite, the next season’s contents may completely throw off their winning streak.
Keep an open mind – all esports games are different
All esports are different from one another, so don’t assume your betting knowledge will transfer between games. Call of Duty and Rainbow Six Siege are both first-person shooters (FPS), but their gameplay loops are nowhere near the same.
The best platforms for esports betting
There are a plethora of platforms to choose from for betting on esports. Though every website or app comes equipped with different features, most platforms grant access to betting on popular competitive games, like League of Legends.
On some wagering websites, you can even watch your favorite competitions on the platform. The list below includes some of the popular websites for esports betting, all of which are accessible in select US states.
- BetUS – Equipped with your favorite esports, including shooters and sports games, this platform features bonuses, analysis, and a wide array of games.
- BetWhale – Games like League of Legends, Dota 2, and Valorant are all on the radar here, plus you can watch Twitch directly on their website.
- BetOnline – A leading platform for sports betting in the US, you’ll find a variety of different esports to bet on and a complex menu system to help you navigate potential wagers.
Esports betting is the future
Experienced sports gamblers and video game enthusiasts have a lot to look forward to in the future. Esports has grown significantly over the past decade, and it will continue to get bigger as more gamers reach adulthood.
Esports betting is the future, so understanding the competitive meta and common mistakes to avoid is key to turning a profit. By 2035, early esports fans could be at a major advantage, so it’s important to study the best esports betting strategies now while it’s still a new industry.
FAQs
Is esports betting profitable?
Like sports gambling, esports betting can be profitable. If you learn the best strategies and practices for success, then you can increase your chances of predicting a bet.
How to make money betting on esports?
The best way to make money while betting on esports is by gambling on prop bets or general tournaments. You can place wagers on most eliminations or which team will win a match.
How do esports teams make money?
Outside of the money earned by winning tournaments, esports teams can partake in partnerships and sponsorships with notable brands, like Red Bull. Streaming on Twitch and selling personal merchandise offer additional avenues to generate revenue.
Will video game knowledge help with esports betting?
Knowledge about common esports games can help you transition into the world of sports betting. However, esports is much more complicated than regular multiplayer, so it’s also important to learn more about athletes and teams before placing bets.
