If you are a dedicated PC gamer with a library chock full of big name titles then the likelihood is that you own, or at the least have come across, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO). As the fourth installment in the stunning First-Person-Shooter (FPS) series, CS:GO had a lot to live up to with its release in 2012. It’s older brother Counter-Strike: Source is a revered title amongst gamers so expectations were set incredulously high by the series’ fanbase for Valve’s latest release.

The game proved to be a hit, and received excellent scores on review sites and aggregators across the web. This prompted millions to make a purchase, and like many small-scale, close-quarter FPS games, opened CS:GO up to becoming a staple eSports title. The game remains played professionally by hundreds of thousands across the globe alongside a massive base of concurrent players. It also continues to rack up award accolades left right and center for excellency in eSports.

One aspect of CS:GO that’s often undermined is its potential as an eSports betting market. Unlike some other FPS games, CS:GO offers a rigid and balanced platform on which eSports athletes can take each other on for millions of dollars in prize money. The top eSports betting sites have certainly copped onto the massive viewing numbers that CS:GO incurs, offering markets on the outcome of some of the biggest eSports tournaments in the world that feature the game.

CS:GO Betting Strategy

Betting on a videogame is virtually the exact same as betting on a sport like football. The premise is exactly the same - pick an outcome, consider your stake and place your wager. However, compared to many other traditional betting markets, eSports betting is certainly relatively new and less tested. A good place to begin if you’re considering CS:GO betting is Twitch. Many players and teams stream directly to their audiences on the platform, and this can be good for putting in research before considering a punt on a large competition. Many top online betting sites also provide a wide range of streaming options, often including eSports.

Previous Competitive Wins

This is perhaps the most obvious thing to keep an eye on, but some eSports gamblers can get lost in long odds. Make sure you take note of the favourite and the amount of wins they’ve previously had. If they’re on a hot streak, make sure you’re getting a deal when choosing them for a wager.

Who’s on the Roster

CS:GO teams, unlike football teams, don’t often have to replace their players, due to it being a video game and unphysical. However, some teams have rotating rosters of talent. As important as keeping an eye on previous competitive wins is the individual performance of each player. Many players have YouTube channels or stream on Twitch where you can monitor their performance before a big tournament.

CS:GO Betting Odds

When betting on a Counter Strike game it’s important to take into account the implied probability for each teams win. Knowing how to convert betting odds into implied probabilities is important for any eSports betting strategy as it can help punters assess the potential value on a specific market. If the implied probability is less than your assessment, then it represents a value bet opportunity. In addition to accessing value, always keep an eye on new bookmakers, who will offer great value bet opportunities when starting out, with some also offering free bets to new customers..

Best CS:GO Game Modes

If you’re going to place a bet on a CS:GO game, it’s important that you have at least a basic understanding of the game modes that the two opposing teams are competing in. While the game modes in CS:GO are very similar to its predecessors, there are some minute changes.

Deathmatch

This is a staple gamemode for virtually every eSports shooter. The premise is simple - two teams square off against one another. The first team to reach a set number of kills wins.

Arms Race

While Arms Race rarely features as a competitive CS:GO mode, it can sometimes feature on-stream as a type of practice or casual mode for professionals. You begin with a knife, and your weapon changes as you accumulate kills.

Demolition

Demolition is the game mode that is played competitively at CS:GO tournaments, and is the game mode that punters will find themselves betting on most often. Teams are 5v5 and after dying, players do not respawn until the start of the next round (similar to Search and Destroy in competitive Call of Duty games).

The goal is to either kill all enemies or blow up the bomb at one of two bomb sites. For each kill you will spawn with a new weapon in the next round. Securing more than one kill provides you with a grenade. After 10 rounds, teams change side and the winner is the first to win 11 rounds.

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