CS2 betting 101: A beginner’s guide to bigger wins

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) has quickly become one of the most popular esports in the FPS scene after its release in September 2023. Besides being a part of a renowned game franchise, it also succeeded Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), one of the biggest esports titles in history. With this, the game’s esports betting scene is seeing a surge of both new and old punters.

If you are looking for the best sportsbook to get the most value out of your money, look no further than CS2 Sportsbet.io.

Before placing CS2 special bets, it is important that you know more about the esport—its current top teams and players, as well as some strategies that can help boost your odds. With this, here is a Counter-Strike 2 betting guide to start you off:

Counter-Strike 2

Retaining the same core gameplay, there are two CS2 team types: Counter-Terrorists and Terrorists. Note that your objective can vary depending on the map, game mode, and team assigned to you at the start of each half.

Counter-Terrorists

As Counter-Terrorists, you have the responsibility of neutralising threats and preserving order. In the iconic Search and Destroy mode, you have to either defuse planted bombs before they explode or wipe the entire opposing team before they can do so.

Terrorists

On the opposite side are the terrorists. Their goals are opposed to the Counter-Terrorists. When you are assigned to be on this team, your objective is to plant bombs in designated locations. You also have to ensure that these bombs detonate by wiping out or stalling the Counter-Terrorists.

CS2 game modes

Considering its relatively recent release, CS2’s game modes are still evolving to cater to different preferences. Here is a rundown of the different game modes currently available:

• Casual: In casual gameplay, there are still two teams in play. The main difference is that there are a total of 20 players playing, ten for each team. 
• Premier: As mentioned, premier is the most popular CS2 game mode. It follows the famous competitive 5v5 matches best known from CS:GO. Here, there is a pick-and-ban phase for maps and an ELO system. 
• Competitive: Set to simulate the same conditions seen in professional play, the competitive game mode follows the rules set by Valve. In this mode, the winning team is the first to reach 13 rounds. Players have to win 10 games on a map to get a rank. Note that each rank is now per map. 
• Deathmatch: Commonly played to warm up, deathmatch is a popular game mode where all weapons are free. Within 10 minutes, all you have to do is kill other players on the map. The player with the most kills wins!
• Workshop: In this game mode, players can enjoy and play community-made maps. Here, players can also play old CS:GO maps and more.

Esports betting involves predicting outcomes of esports matches and tournaments and staking crypto with potential returns based on the odds. The higher the perceived risk of your CS2 match prediction, the higher the potential payout. Conversely, safer bets offer smaller returns.

Aside from this, you must be familiar with the concept of CS2 betting markets and odds formats. 

Betting markets

With CS2, betting markets are more expansive as they extend beyond the usual approach of predicting who would win a best-of-three or best-of-five matchup. For instance, maps betting is popular in CS2 as it allows punters to wager on more matchup aspects. This includes betting on which team will win a certain map or the number of rounds they will secure.

 Some of the most popular betting markets for CS2 at Sportsbet.io are:

• Match winner: Considered the simplest CS2 betting market, you simply have to bet on the team you think will win the matchup.
• Number of maps: This betting market simply allows you to wager on the total number of maps played in a matchup.
• Number of rounds: With this market, you can predict the total number of rounds played on a specific map.
• Overtime: The overtime betting market focuses on whether a match will go into overtime on any of the played maps. 

Odds format

Odds represent the potential payouts relative to your wager. Depending on the sportsbook you are placing your bets with, odds can be presented in different formats. 

The different odds formats available at Sportsbet.io are: 

• American: This odds format is presented with positive and negative numbers. Odds with the negative (-) sign are the favourites of the match. On the other hand, the underdogs have the plus (+) sign. 
• Decimal: As its name suggests, this odds format is presented through decimals. This shows you the possible payouts for every unit you bet on. For instance, with the decimal odds of 10.00, you have the chance to win 10 USDT if you bet 1 USDT.
• Hong Kong: With Hong Kong odds, it is also presented in a decimal format. Odds higher than 1 are the underdogs of the match. Conversely, odds lower than 1 are the favourites.

Once you’re in the Esports section, click on the CS2 logo to see the different matches available to bet on. They are categorised according to when they are set to take place. Select a match you want to bet on. 

Depending on the event, there can be different betting markets available. Once you have picked a game, place your wagers based on your predicted outcome. Finally, wait for the results of the game and see if you win payouts or not.

With the massive popularity of CS2, there are tons of tournaments and competitions you can bet on. It is advisable to start with minor tournaments and small bets to familiarise yourself better with how the betting process works.

Here are some of the many tournaments and competitions to look out for in the CS2 calendar: 

Intel Extreme Masters

The Intel Extreme Masters (IEM) is one of the most prestigious Counter-Strike esports tournaments. The upcoming IEM in the series is IEM Katowice 2024. It will take place from January 31st to February 11th, 2024, in Katowice, Poland. It features a $1 million prize pool and will see 16 teams worldwide battle it out for the title.

ESL Pro League

Also known as the Electronic Sports League, the ESL holds a tournament every year. Each season consists of two stages: a group stage followed by a playoff stage. In the upcoming ESL Pro League season 19, which starts in April 2024, there will be a total of 32 teams vying for the top 1 title and prize.

PGL Major

PGL, also known as the Professional Gamers League, is a major tournament in the Counter-Strike esports scene. The upcoming PGL Major will host different regional qualifiers (Europe, Asia, and the Americas) before the main event, which will be held at the Royal Arena Copenhagen from March 17th to 31st, 2024. 

CS2 teams and players

The core of Counter-Strike is its players. To achieve their objectives, players have to synchronise with each other by discussing strategies and communicating clearly. A team that has mastered these are more likely to win the matchup.

Overview of Top Counter Strike 2 Teams

Here are some of the most notable teams and players in the Counter-Strike competitive scene:

Team Vitality

This team is a force to be reckoned with as they reign supreme in the classic FPS game. Despite a revamped roster, this powerhouse is anchored by Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut’s star power and Dan ‘apEX’ Madesclaire's skilful gunplay. They could grab their first Major at BLAST Paris Major 2023 with their teamwork and dedication. 

MOUZ

Another dominant force in the Counter-Strike esports scene is a Hamburg-based organisation called MOUZ. Although they are not one of the most popular teams, they have slowly built a formidable roster with players like Kamil ‘siuhy’ Szkaradek.

This has helped them rise and grab their ESL Pro League Season 18 win. Besides this, they are one of the teams that have been able to run deep in many tournaments, which solidifies them as one of the best rising teams in CS2.

Team Liquid 

Known for their star-studded squad, Team Liquid is another team to look out for. Some of the most notable players on the team include Keith ‘NAF’ Markovic and Mareks ‘YEKINDAR ‘ Gaļinskis. One of the most notable achievements of Team Liquid includes placing 2nd in the BLAST Premier 2022.

Star players and roster

Although teamwork is the game's name, some players shine individually during CS2 matches. These star players are regarded for their ability to turn matches in their favour through skilful gunplay, mastery over the game, and clear communications.

Some of the most notable players in the Counter-Strike scene include:

• Ihor ‘w0nderful’ Zhdanov (Natus Vincere)
• Ilya ‘m0NESY’ Osipov (G2 Esports)
• Danil ‘donk’ Kryshkovets (Team Spirit)
• Ana ‘ANa’ Dumbravă (Nigma Galaxy)
• Mathieu ‘ZywOo’ Herbaut (Team Vitality)

Many seasoned esports punters employ betting strategies and tips to improve their winning odds. These can also help you manage your bets better, which will benefit you in the long run. 

There are tons of strategies and tips when it comes to CS2 betting. Here are some to enhance your betting experience:

• Bankroll management: A fundamental CS2 strategy is setting a budget for betting sessions. Make sure to divide your bankroll into units and avoid placing large bets that could deplete your funds quickly. A common rule of thumb is to wager no more than 2-5% of your total bankroll on a single bet.
• Value bets: Look for opportunities where the odds offered by bookmakers are higher than the actual probability of an event occurring. This requires careful analysis and research. Compare odds from multiple bookmakers to identify value bets that offer a higher potential return.
• Stay updated: Keep up with the latest news and information relevant to Counter-Strike. Follow professional top-tier leagues, tournaments, and teams. Also, stay informed about roster changes, player injuries, and any other factors that may impact performance.
• Analysing team performance: Thoroughly research the teams and players involved in the match. Consider factors such as map performance, individual player statistics, and head-to-head records. Aside from this, also make sure to analyse team strategies and playstyles. This will give you an idea of how a team plays together.

Sportsbet.io benefits

Some of the most notable benefits you can enjoy at Sportsbet.io include: 

Esports betslip

Sportsbet.io’s Betslip is a feature that allows you to place bets on multiple betting markets in a single click. With this, you can easily track and review your selection before locking in a final wager. When you compile bets, the total odds and your potential total win are also displayed at the bottom of the slip.

Crypto betting promotions

At Sportsbet.io, there are tons of exciting and generous crypto promotions you can opt for. By participating and satisfying the terms and conditions of the promotion, you can be rewarded with crypto in return. With these, you can expand your bankroll and wager on more CS2 matches!

Clubhouse

Sportsbet.io recognises punters who are loyal to the site and rewards them handsomely for the time and money they spend in the site’s Clubhouse. With this, every bet you place on CS2 will contribute towards your Clubhouse points. As you gather points, you'll move up through the different Clubhouse Tiers and earn rewards as you go.

Bet on Counter-Strike at Sportsbet.io

Sportsbet.io is the ideal site for your CS2 bets. Besides the several promotions available, you can enjoy competitive odds and a wide range of betting markets on their site. Simply create an account and deposit funds into it to start placing wagers on your favourite CS2 teams. 

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