Esports has exploded in popularity and revolutionized competitive gaming with its multi-million dollar prize pools and massive global appeal. With hundreds of games played daily, there are myriad opportunities to make a profit. And if you’re looking to kick-start your esports betting journey, you’ve come to the right place!
Our betting guide contains everything you need to become an informed esports bettor. Learn how to interpret odds, explore the different betting markets, and discover all the steps on how to make your first bet at Thunderpick.
How To Bet On Esports
What Is Esports Betting?
Esports betting is a type of online gambling where you can wager on competitive video games. It is similar to traditional sports betting, and features practically the same markets and odds structure. The main difference is that esports are virtual, with more pixels and fewer grass stains!
Although esports is more accessible via live streaming platforms like Twitch and YouTube, a major perk is the sheer volume of titles you can bet on. This means bettors have more ways to turn a profit while keeping the gameplay exciting.
Example Esports Bet
To understand esports betting, let’s look at a hypothetical NBA 2K match between the Lakers (-200) and Pelicans (+150). In this scenario, an American odds format is used, in which case the minus (-) sign represents the favorites to win, and the plus sign (+) shows the underdog team.
Positive odds indicate your potential profit on a $100 bet, and negative odds represent the stake needed to win $100. To calculate your payout, you can use the formula:
- Positive American odds: payout = stake * (1 + odds/100)
- Negative American odds: payout = stake * (1 + 100/odds)
So, if you bet $100 on the Lakers and they win, you would receive a payout of $150 (your $100 stake plus $50 profit). However, if you bet $100 on the Pelicans and they win, you would get a payout of $250 (your $100 stake plus $150 profit).
Pro Tip: At Thunderpick, you can select your preferred esports odds format using the gear icon on the betting page. Choose between Decimal, Multiplier, Fractional, American, and many other odds formats!
Different Types Of Esports Bets
Ready to explore the world of esports? Great! But first, you should familiarize yourself with the different betting options available. Let’s review some popular markets below.
Match Winner
The match winner (or “money line”) betting market is the most direct type of bet. It focuses on predicting which team will win a single esports match outright. However, if it’s a series (like best-of-three), then you’re instead voting on the team that wins the majority of these matches.
Handicap
Also known as “point spread betting,” the handicap market levels the playing field by giving certain esports teams a virtual advantage or disadvantage. Think of it as a way to give the underdog a fighting chance.
Let’s say a top esports team like Vitality is pitted against Complexity. In this case, we may assign Vitality, the clear favorite, a 1.5-round deficit. This means that they must win by at least 2 rounds for a bet on them to pay out.
Over/Under
In the over/under market, punters try to predict the total number of points, kills, or another statistic (e.g., towers destroyed) in a round or match. The bookmaker will set a hypothetical line and it’s up to you to bet above or below it.
Futures
The Futures esports market lets you wager on long-term outcomes, like who will win the next The International or World Championship. As you can imagine, these lines have higher payouts due to their unpredictability.
Live Betting
Top sportsbooks like Thunderpick offer live in-play betting, which allows you place bets while games are already underway. Just note that the odds change in real time as the match unfolds. For this reason, it requires rapid decision-making and an in-depth knowledge of the game!
Special Esports Bets
There are loads of betting opportunities in esports! This includes an extensive line of special bets unique to each game title. While the coverage depends on the bookies, we’ve listed a few examples that you’ll likely see on your bet slip!
- First Blood: This is a prop bet in which you wager on the team or player that will score the first kill. It’s common in multiplayer online battle arena games like Dota 2.
- Pistol Round: This bet lets you predict the team to the pistol round (i.e., the first round of each half, during which all players use pistols as weapons). It is typical of first-person shooter games like Counter-Strike 2 and VALORANT.
- Map Winner: Similarly to the “match winner” market, this bet lets you wager on the team to win a specific map within a game series rather than the entire match.
How To Make Your First Bet
Now that you’ve learned all the basics, the next step is to make your first bet. Just follow these steps to get started!
Register An Account
Create a free Thunderpick account by clicking “Join” on the homepage. Next, enter your email and choose a secure password, confirm you’re 18 years or older, and agree to the terms of service. Complete your registration by following the instructions in the activation email.
Make Your First Deposit
After your Thunderpick account is set up, you must fund it with cryptocurrency. Click on the “Wallet” button at the top of the screen and select “Deposit.” Next, choose a preferred crypto payment option and use your crypto wallet to send the funds to your unique deposit address.
For detailed instructions, please read our “How Do I Deposit At Thunderpick?” guide.
Place Your Bets
Now, head to the Thunderpick “Esports” section and select any game from the left-side panel. After that, select a match or esports tournament and choose one of the pre-match or live in-play betting options. Lastly, enter your wager amount in the bet slip and click “place bet” to confirm.
Take your bets to the next level with our “Esports Betting Tips For Beginners” guide.
Cash Out Your Winnings
When you’re ready to cash out your winnings, click the “Wallet” button, select “Withdraw,” and choose a cryptocurrency payment method. Just be aware of any withdrawal limits as you enter the withdrawal amount and confirm the destination wallet address to submit your request.
How To Bet On Esports FAQs
Want to learn more about esports betting? Check out our answers to the top FAQs.
Is Esports Betting Similar To Traditional Sports Betting?
Yes! Traditional sports and esports betting let you place wagers on the outcomes of competitive events. Bookmakers set odds for both types of events based on their assessment of the likelihood of each outcome occurring. The betting experience is practically identical!
What Are The Most Popular Esports Games?
The most popular esports titles to bet on include Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, League of Legends, Call of Duty, Rocket League, Overwatch, and VALORANT.
Is Esports Betting Legal?
It depends on your jurisdiction. Like traditional sports betting, the legality of esports gambling is determined by each state. Its legal status also varies by country. It’s your responsibility to check your local laws and regulations before wagering on esports events.
What Is The Best Esports Betting Site?
Thunderpick, of course! As a premier crypto-only online betting site, you’ll find unbeatable odds across multiple esports markets. You can also enjoy many cryptocurrency payment methods, swift transactions, and a generous welcome bonus to boost your returns!
Always practice Responsible Gambling and check out our latest promo offers and boosts. T&Cs apply. 18+ to play.
