Liam LaChapelle-Yonson

Esports betting is an all-encompassing term that covers a broad spectrum of professional video games. This How to Bet on Esports article will break them down and the differences between betting on them and traditional sports.

From fighting games such as Super Smash Brothers and Mortal Kombat to MOBAs (multiplayer online battle arena) like League of Legends and Dota 2, to first-person shooter games like Call of Duty, Valorant, and Counter Strike, there is a wide variety to keep up with. 

-> New to Esports wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Bets to get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.

-> New to Esports wagering? Sign up at NorthStar Bets to get the latest odds, insights and betting tools throughout the season.

Betting on Esports differs from wagering on traditional sports in several ways. The first one being that Esports can be played online over a long distance, or they can be played in a tournament setting. Both can impact matches due to differences in internet latency (distance) or the presence of live fans (tournament).

Another key difference is the hard-coded limitations on what is possible in Esports. For example: video games have a set speed limit for how fast your character can run.

How to bet on Esports: Markets

Esports betting features many of the same markets as traditional sports. You can bet on totals, money lines, futures and handicaps/spreads. There are prop bets, too.

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily Esports markets

-> Before you get started, create your NorthStar Bets account to explore live odds and daily Esports markets

​MOBAs

MOBA stands for Multiplayer Online Battle Arena. MOBAs are a type of game where two teams of five face off in a nearly identical square arena, with both teams having a base at opposite corners: bottom left and bottom right. The map has three lanes connecting the bases. The space between those lanes is called the jungle.

The goal is to destroy the other team’s base by conquering objectives around the arena that upgrade your character and your teammates’ characters, known as champions/ heroes. The objectives are also prop bets that players can choose to bet on, like Dragons, Barons, Towers, etc.

With every match being a best-of-three or five, and each round averaging about 30 minutes, these types of games are a lot more friendly with spreads and props as opposed to lines, as there are more lopsided money lines.

-> Ready to try handicap betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily

-> Ready to try handicap betting? Join NorthStar Bets and explore live, moving lines daily

These games also feature a ban stage prior to every round, where each team bans two Champions or Heroes. The teams then redraft their champions, changing the meta entirely. If you are knowledgeable in a particular MOBA video game, live betting is the smarter way to bet, as it rules out variability.

Examples of MOBAs: League of Legends, Dota 2, Heroes of the Storm, Smite

​FPS Games

Better known as first-person shooters, they are the most saturated market when it comes to Esports. There are at least six somewhat notable Esports in the genre.

The majority of FPS games incorporate elements from other games, so there are some pretty significant differences between them.

The biggest difference is that there are some controller Esports such as Call of Duty and Halo, versus other Esports that are played on keyboard and mouse, such as Counter Strike 2, Valorant, and Rainbow Six Siege.

In some instances, certain games, such as Counter Strike, have more robust markets with as many as 200 bets or more available per match.

-> Check out the latest props every day at NorthStar Bets – from first bloods to bomb plants and more

-> Check out the latest props every day at NorthStar Bets – from first bloods to bomb plants and more

The best way to gamble on FPS esports is to do so as close to game time as possible. Some games, such as Counter Strike 2 and Call of Duty, you can get away with betting before the match, as these games typically don’t have Heroes/Champions and ban stages before the match.

Games best suited to live betting are Valorant, Overwatch 2, Rainbow Six Siege, and Halo.

​Why? These games incorporate Heroes/Champion characters selected before each game, or before each round(Rainbow Six Siege), as well as bans before each map of the series. This allows meta to fluctuate as the match goes on, so if you are knowledgeable about the game, it gives you the ability to make more informed bets.

How to bet on Esports: Responsible Gambling

Gambling should be viewed as entertainment. To ensure a positive experience, follow these responsible gambling tips:

• Take Breaks: Stepping away from the game allows you to stay in control and maintain perspective.
• Set a Budget: Decide how much money you can afford to gamble with and stick to it.
• Manage Your Time: Set time limits for gambling sessions to prevent excessive play.
• Avoid Chasing Losses: Accept that losing is part of gambling and don’t try to win back losses through riskier bets.
• Gamble for Fun, Not Income: Gambling should never be seen as a way to solve financial problems.
  
  (If you have concerns that you or someone you know has a gambling problem, and wants help, please call Connex Ontario at 1-866-531-2600)

Map sets

The main thing about FPS esports is the variability in map sets that is determined usually hours before a match at the earliest through a veto system.

I’ll try to avoid confusing you, so bear with me. But in MOBA games, all games are played on a fixed static map that never changes, and has a nearly identical layout across all Esports.

In FPS esports, they play on 7-12 different maps, and in a best-of-three, they play on three of those 7-12 different maps.

Certain teams play better or worse on certain maps, so knowing what each team’s best and worst maps are, depending on the game, can allow a player to make a more informed bet.

How to bet on Esports: Game Modes

Certain games like Call of Duty, Halo, and Overwatch offer different game modes on different maps.

So on most FPS games, they play the exact same mode for the entire duration of the series. This is typically non-respawn mode, or otherwise known as Bomb Defusal/ Search and Destroy for Call of Duty.

This diversity of game modes allows for some good moneyline value and map lines.

-> Want to see current Esports moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets

-> Want to see current Esports moneyline prices? Check the latest at NorthStar Bets

Call of Duty has three, Halo has five, and Overwatch has six different game modes.

Beware of Updates

As absurd as it sounds, game developers really like to mess with the fabric of their games, and sometimes that can happen in the middle of a season/ period where competitive play is taking place.

To put this in traditional sports terms, imagine the NFL banned the Tush Push in week seven of the season. With that new rule change, it probably changes how you bet on the Philadelphia Eagles, for example.

These updates can impact everything from certain items in-game, characters, abilities, bug fixes, etc. Developers constantly update the game, meaning you have to pay attention to any meta changes, as they could directly impact the outcome of your bet.

-> Ready to put your Esports knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long

-> Ready to put your Esports knowledge to use ? Sign up for NorthStar Bets to access live odds, props, parlays and exclusive Canadian Insights all season long