Esports Betting 101: Get Started with the Basics of Esports Wagering for 2026

Esports betting has grown significantly over the past few years, and with the expansion of the landscape naturally comes more interest in the activity. If you’re among those looking to join the wagon, then keep reading.

By the end of this guide, you’ll have picked up all the knowledge you need to kickstart your esports betting journey, from what esports betting is all about to the various markets available, how to read esports odds, and the top games to bet on. We even drop a few pro strategy tips to help you get started.

Quick facts about esports betting

• Esports betting is betting on video game matches played between professional teams.
• CS2, Dota 2, VALORANT, and League of Legends are the most popular esports to bet on.
• Esports odds are available in decimal, fractional, and American formats.
• Tips for betting on esports include bankroll management, doing research, understanding the meta, etc.

Pros and cons of esports betting

What is esports betting?

Esports betting involves betting on competitive video game matches and tournaments. Many players confuse esports with virtual sports, which are computer-generated simulations of real-life sports like soccer and basketball. However, esports are all about those popular Multiplayer Online Battle Arenas (MOBAs) and First-Person Shooters (FPS) like League of Legends and Counter-Strike 2.

In competitive esports, professional players and teams compete against each other in organized leagues and tournaments, many of which offer massive prize pools. Thanks to these various esports competitions, betting action is available all year round. At the best esports betting sites, you can place a wager on the outcome of these professional video game events.

How to read and understand esports betting odds

Esports betting is available at plenty of quality sportsbooks, and just like any other sport, there are odds on individual events. Depending on the site and your region, esports betting odds may be displayed in decimal, fractional, or American format. The table below explains how to read each of these odds formats – using USD as an example:

Format	Example odds	What it means	How it works
Decimal odds	1.50	Stake multiplied by the odds gives your total payout	A $10 stake on Team X will pay $15. You get $5 in winnings plus your stake back.
Fractional odds	1/2	Fraction shows the ratio of winnings relative to stake	You’ll win $5 for every $10 staked on Team X
American odds	-200 or +200	Odds with a negative coefficient show how much you need to bet to win $100, while odds with a positive coefficient show what you get on a $100 stake	For -200: A $200 stake on Team X will pay $100.For +200: A $100 stake will pay $200

Odds not only tell you how much you can win, but they also reflect how likely the outcome will be. If a team has higher chances of winning, they generally have smaller decimal odds, smaller fractions, or negative (less positive) American odds. A typical example:

In a matchup between Team X and Team Y, where X is the favorite and Y is the underdog, odds may look like this:

• Decimal – Team X (1.30), Team Y (2.80)
• Fractional – Team X (7/11), Team Y (3/1)
• American – Team X (-185), Team Y (+150)

As you can see from the above, Team Y has higher decimal odds, bigger fractional odds, and more positive American odds, which all mean that the bookmaker considers the team less likely to win the match.

Esports markets you can bet on

Esports may be a niche betting option compared to mainstream sports, but it has more markets than you’d expect. That’s because competitive video games span multiple genres and tournaments. You don’t just get the simple moneyline bets; you can also wager on various stages of play (depending on the game system) and individual team achievements. Here are some of the most popular esports markets:

• Match winner – A straight moneyline bet on who will win a matchup, and the easiest for beginners. Simply select the odds for the team you think will win and place your stake.
• Map/Round winner – Some video games are split into maps or rounds, and many tournaments also use a Best of Three or Best of Five format. You can bet on who will win individual maps or rounds.
• Handicap – Handicap betting in esports is identical to how it works when betting on sports traditionally. The sportsbook gives a point advantage to the underdog to level the playing field. It’s more suited for savvy bettors, and you can often get better odds here than in the match winner market.
• Over/Under – This is a bet on how many maps or rounds will be played in a game. You can also find over/under markets for total points or kills in a match.
• Prop bets  – Prop bets vary depending on the game. Popular ones include first kill/first blood, or first dragon in League of Legends.
• Outright winner – Betting on who will emerge as the tournament winner is another popular betting option. These odds are usually available long in advance, and when you pick them up early, they offer plenty of value.
• In-play – Thanks to this market, you can bet on esports matches after the event has already kicked off. With live betting, odds update in real time as the game progresses.

Popular esports games and tournaments

You can’t get into esports betting without learning about the various games and tournaments that exist within the landscape. Those with the biggest competitive scenes are Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, and VALORANT. However, there are several other popular esports, including Rocket League, Call of Duty, StarCraft II, Rainbow Six Siege, and Apex Legends. Let’s take a closer look at the top esports and some of the tournaments you should keep an eye on:

Counter-Strike 2 (CS2)

Professional competitions for this esport began in 2012 when it was just CS: GO before it upgraded to CS2 in 2023. Out of all esports, this one draws in the most betting action as it offers serious match-level market depth and access to the most analytical data. Several CS2 competitions are available all year round, including Majors,  IEM, BLAST, and ESL tournaments.

VALORANT

VALORANT is a tactical first-person shooter launched by Riot Games in 2020. The game has a thriving competitive scene thanks to the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT), a global circuit with regional leagues and international tournaments. The VCT culminates in a season-ending championship where top teams compete for the VALORANT world title.

Dota 2

The International (TI) is the annual world championship for Dota 2 and the focal point for most of the betting action you’ll find at Dota 2 betting sites. There are regional competitions and qualification events throughout the year, and it boasts the biggest prize pools. During major events, Dota 2 also offers unique bets, such as First Roshan.

League of Legends (LOL)

League of Legends has both regional and international leagues, with LCK (Korea) and LCS (North America) being some of the highest-profile competitions. LOL also has some of the most unique betting markets, including First Dragon, First Tower, and Total Kills.

Our top esport betting tips

The risks associated with esports betting are similar to the risks in sports betting. In other words, no amount of research and game knowledge will guarantee results, which is why you need to always be responsible and only place bets with money you can afford to lose.

Still, there are a few things you can look into to help you make informed decisions. Here are some tips you should follow before placing your first esport bet.

• Start by understanding the game – learn about its rules, pace, strategy, teams, tournaments, and competitive meta. The more you know, the better decisions you can make. We recommend watching streams on YouTube or Twitch to pick up on trends and understand team dynamics quickly. Or better yet: go play the game!
• Do research before you bet – Gain insights such as game updates, roster news, head-to-head record, stand-in players, and use this information to determine who to bet on. Fortunately, there are lots of statistics available, especially for the most popular esports.
• Understand the Meta – Meta refers to the most effective tactics, playstyles, weapons, and characters dominating the current competitive scene, usually because they work best. Knowing the meta can help you read the odds better, especially during live betting.
• Always shop around for the best odds – The odds may differ only slightly from one site to another, but over a season, those gaps can make a big difference.
• Focus on one or two esports – You may have heard that you don’t need to bet on every game. But you don’t need to bet on every esport either. Specializing in one game is both more effective and more fun. Ideally, this should be a game you enjoy playing yourself.

Conclusion – Esports betting can be a ton of fun

Betting on esports is as easy as betting on any sport; you simply need to understand the basics of the game, team dynamics, and the various tournaments that provide the action. CS2, Dota 2, VALORANT, and LOL attract the most betting interest, and you can bet with decimal odds, fractional odds, or American odds, depending on your location.

The sites we recommend offer impressive market variety and great esports betting bonuses too. You only need to click through our banners to see what offers are available in your region, claim them, and join the bustling esports community.

Esport betting 101 FAQs

1. Is esports betting legal?

This depends on where you live. Many countries treat esports as regular sports betting, while others heavily restrict it. If it’s allowed in your country, check for state-by-state or region-specific regulations too. You also need to be of legal age to bet, which could be 18 or 21 depending on your location.

2. What esports betting market should I start with as a beginner?

The match winner market is the easiest esports bet for beginners. You only have to predict which team will win the game. Tournament winner market works along the same lines, as you’ll be betting on who will win the competition.

3. How does esports betting work?

Esports betting involves placing real money wagers on competitive video game matches and tournaments. Esports sites provide odds on these events, where odds show your potential payout as well as the likelihood of the outcome.