Betting on CS2 is popular among many esports fans, drawing attention immediately for a few reasons. 

First, there are the exciting and dynamic matches, which you won’t find in other games. Second, you can test your intuition and demonstrate your excellent game knowledge to make a successful bet.

If you plan to bet on CS2 for the first time, it’s important to understand the process carefully. You’ll need to consider the key aspects of the betting process, explore popular markets, and check out tips for successful betting from experts.

Basic Information for CS2 Betting

CS2 is the sequel to the iconic shooter where two teams battle against each other on different types of maps. Players have different goals—defusing bombs, rescuing hostages, or eliminating opponents. 

Let’s start with the variety of bet types available for esports betting. If it’s a top match, platforms like Joe Fortune Casino offer over 500-600 available betting market options. The main betting markets include the following:

• Match Winner Bet. The most popular and common bet format—you simply pick the team you think will win the specific match;
• Map Bet. In this format, you bet on which team will win a specific map in a series of rounds;
• Handicap Bet. A bet on the advantage or disadvantage of a particular team after a round. It can be on the results of all rounds or the results of a match on a specific map;
• Total Bet. A bet on a specific number of points, such as how many maps will be used in the match. Another option is how many total rounds will be played during a match;
• Exact Score Bet. One of the most difficult bets to predict. Here, you try to guess the exact score of the match, for example, 2:0 in favor of the winning team.

CS2 Betting Formats

It’s also important to know that most bookmakers accept bets in two formats—pre-match and live. Each format has its own features:

• Live Betting for CS2 teams in cybersports. In this format, you bet on matches that have already started. Live betting is dynamic, with odds changing as the match gets closer to the final. It’s important to make quick decisions in order to place bets with the best odds. We recommend starting live betting only after you’ve learned the basics of this esports discipline.
• Pre-Match Betting. In this format, you bet on upcoming esports matches. The match may start in a few minutes or even months. The advantage of this format is that you’ll have plenty of time for thorough analysis. Pre-match betting is perfect for bettors who are just starting to learn about the discipline.

Whether you’re a beginner or a professional bettor, we’d advise you to check out offers from several bookmakers before placing bets. This will help you choose the best CS2 odds and increase the size of the potential winnings if your bet wins.

Unique Betting Markets

While all the above outcomes can be relevant to other sports disciplines, there are also several betting markets unique to CS2 Valve. Among the most interesting options, we’d highlight the following:

• First Headshot. A bet on which team will make the first headshot in the next round;
• Kills Count. A bet on how many kills a specific player will make by the end of the match;
• Ace Bet. It is a pretty interesting bet where you try to predict if a player will score five kills in a single round;
• First Blood. A bet on which team will score the first kill in the next round.

Tips for Successful CS2 Betting

We’ve thoroughly explored CS2 betting and gathered a few tips that can help you make more successful bets and reduce the risk of large losses:

• Carefully study the team you plan to bet on and key players. Pay special attention to the players’ form, their recent results, and the stats they show on specific maps;
• Pay attention to the meta. Weapons, maps, and other meta-parameters can have a key impact on the outcome of future matches. For example, most pistol rounds in the game have traditionally used default weapons;
• Keep an eye on the latest game updates. Patches and new features in the game can significantly affect the strategies teams will choose for upcoming rounds;
• Study analytics and predictions from experts. Try to find a reliable analytical resource that publishes articles from CS2 experts. This will help you understand the strength of each team and assess their chances of winning;
• Learn to manage your bankroll. Start by setting aside a specific amount for esports betting you can afford to lose. Never exceed this limit, and don’t try to recover from a losing bet.