Since the first DreamHack-hosted Major between 16 teams took place in 2013, Counter-Strike is now a regular option among eSports players. You can still participate in the action through the best CS betting sites without being an active player.
I’ve put together this guide to get you started on Counter-Strike betting and what to expect when you go on eSports betting sites. Areas I will cover include getting the best online sportsbooks and the betting markets that are specific to Counter-Strike. Then, I’ll add some tips on maximizing your time on these sites, including their pros and cons.
For returning bettors, CSGO betting websites are nothing new. All you have to do is find a sportsbook that features the eSport with several betting markets and odds. However, picking any random site might rob you of features that can improve how you bet on this game.
I’ll get to the site selection in a minute. In the meantime, it’s best you understand how this game works and how that connects with the betting markets.
ESL One: Cologne and the PGL Krakow Major took place amidst a prominent sponsorship deal with a reputable operator. This was way back in 2017, a move that brought Counter-Strike to online bookmakers. Today, organizers often partner with betting operators to promote the game, giving bettors back-to-back betting markets and odds.
Relationships with bookmakers aren’t exclusive to the organizers alone. Even CS:GO teams have formed similar deals for promotion and reach.
Counter-Strike is a first-person shooter game where teams compete to complete set objectives. These teams are divided into two; the terrorists and the counter-terrorists. The modes and objectives present several ways to bet on CSGO matches. For example, you can bet on which team wins the round. This bet type isn’t specific to Counter-Strike, as we’ve seen it in Rainbow Six Siege betting and other eSports.
There are other ways to bet on cases that aren’t typical on traditional Counter Strike betting sites. My focus today will be on the traditional ones where you get regular betting markets just like other eSports and sports. That leads me to the crucial step of selecting your betting site.
Here at the Frog, we take a methodological approach to choosing sportsbooks. You must understand that some sportsbooks excel in one sport while others excel in another. For example, a betting site may provide more betting markets for Counter-Strike while lacking markets in other eSports.
The key is reaching a middle ground that works for you. When next you look for where to bet on CSGO matches, consider the following factors:
Any CS betting site you register with should hold the appropriate license to provide such services. The license might not necessarily be from your local regulatory authority. There are several bodies whose licenses are recognized internationally, like the UK Gambling Authority.
I’m particular about licensing because it covers two things. First, it establishes the betting site’s legitimacy. Second, it ensures you receive fair betting services, from the markets to the payouts. With a license, you have a regulatory body you can always run to if the betting site refuses to perform its required services.
Moving from licensing, the next thing you want to confirm is regional or local availability. A CSGO sportsbook might be licensed, but that doesn’t mean your local regulatory body approves its services in your region. That is why these sportsbooks often have a list of restricted countries from which they do not accept bettors. Ensure yours isn’t among them before you move on to the registration.
Whether I’m betting on a Counter-Strike, League of Legends, or Dota 2 betting site, I check the license and regional availability first. This is essential to ensure smooth services, especially when it comes to payments.
Light and dark themes have become increasingly popular among online sportsbooks. If that is something you value, be sure to look out for it on your next CS betting site. My recommendation is to ensure the color scheme will not strain your eyes when scrolling through different betting markets.
The interface and user experience depend on what you want. Nevertheless, there are a few things I should point out. Opt for a well-designed interface where you can locate different sections quickly. This will contribute to the user experience as you navigate from one event to another.
You won’t find much in terms of fancy graphics as a CSGO bookmaker isn’t a casino. However, the little available shouldn’t interfere with loading pages. The sections should load quickly, whether betting on the desktop site or the mobile version.
The best way to tell what to expect from a site is by reading user and expert reviews. These often come from first-hand experiences. For example, you can see how reliable the payment options are or how long a sportsbook takes to process withdrawals.
Bettors and experts often post their experiences on independent review platforms. While going through them, ensure you focus on unbiased feedback. Some bettors are fond of posting about issues that can easily be resolved through proper communication with the support team.
I want you to pay attention to the withdrawal times, betting markets, odds, and featured tournaments. These aspects pretty much wrap up the core experience when you bet on CSGO.
Except you don’t mind worrying about your payout, confirming the withdrawal times should be non-negotiable. The withdrawal time depends heavily on the payment option. Nevertheless, we must factor in the time it takes for the sportsbook to process your request before initiating the transaction.
Some sportsbooks clearly state how long they take. You might find a few hours or up to two days. I would say go for those with the shortest processing time. As for payment options, pick those with a reputation for fast payments. That could be e-wallets or any other option that suits you. Some sportsbooks support eSports betting cryptocurrency payments, which can turn out to be suitable for fast withdrawals.
When you bet on CS, you have the option to pick only one wager or add multiple wagers to your bet slip. With the cashout feature, you can take out your wins before all the wagers settle. It can be handy if you feel subsequent wagers will result in losses.
Live betting helps bet according to the game’s flow. As such, you should check out the betting site for these features before signing up.
The cashout feature may not readily appear since you haven’t placed wagers yet. You can contact customer support to confirm its availability. As for live betting, you might find it as a separate section or when you click on an ongoing match.
At this stage, you can check for other crucial features when betting. Compare the sites thoroughly until you find the one that meets your needs.
With enough patience and thorough comparison, you’ll likely discover that one site has better odds than another. The same goes for the betting market.
I placed this factor last because the previous ones can still mar the experience even when the site has competitive odds. Hence, weigh all the factors together. You might have to make a concession when it comes to the odds. Go for the most competitive, but do not neglect other factors.
Once you’ve picked your preferred CS betting site, the next step is to create an account. Here are the steps to bet on Counter-Strike:
Once you’ve done that, click any odds to add it to your bet slip. Enter an amount and place the bet. Use the same process to add more wagers to your bet slip if you want to.
The cashout feature may be available if you have multiple selections. You can activate it when your bets have started settling.
For withdrawals to be possible on most CS betting sites, you will have to complete the KYC verification. That often involves the submission of a couple of documents, including your ID card, passport, utility bill, bank statement, etc.
As the year passes, you’ll find several tournaments on CSGO betting sites. One tip I would add here is that knowing these tournaments and how they work will give you a better understanding of the betting markets. It will also narrow down your betting options instead of randomly picking a game to bet on.
Betting sites often feature several CS tournaments, as shown in the table below:
| Tournaments/Events | Description |
|---|---|
| ESL Pro League | This league features the top global teams. It is 3 weeks of non-stop action in the game. |
| DreamHack Masters | This occurs during the DreamHack festival and features several tournaments. It attracts top-tier Counter-Strike teams. |
| PGL Major | You’ll find the best teams here, as it is sponsored by Valve, the official game developer. |
| Intel Extreme Masters | This consists of several eSports tournaments held in different locations. |
| ELeague | This is a professional eSports league with several CS:GO tournaments. |
Counter-Strike has three primary game modes. They include the following:
Each match will have several rounds where the teams must fulfill their objectives. Pay attention when the teams switch sides, especially if you want to place a live wager. This often occurs halfway through the match. The team that wins a set number of rounds first wins the match.
The approach to Counter-Strike is just as simple as when you bet on League of Legends or any of the other prominent eSports. Learn the modes and follow the rounds. I’ll share a few tips to use subsequently when betting on this game.
CS betting sites have much to do with determining the variety of markets you’ll have. This point is where you’ll have to place different sites together and see which gives better odds. The general rule of thumb is that the more markets you have, the more ways you can bet on a match. That said, here are the typical betting markets in a Counter-Strike match:
Other special bets will apply depending on the betting site. For example, you may have wagers for the number of knife kills, bets for matches that will go into overtime, and other specific in-game events. The more you learn about Counter-Strike, the more in-game events you’ll know.
It is one thing to find the best CSGO betting sites and another to make the most out of them. Here are some tips I recommend when betting:
You can use the statistics section on most CS betting sites to learn about the teams, tournaments, or leagues. Otherwise, you have the open internet to feed on. The more you understand the tournament and team dynamics, the more winning chances you’ll have.
If you are a new bettor, you might find different odds formats on the betting sites. There will be a setting to pick your preferred option. Find one format and get comfortable with it.
Instead of throwing your nets wide, you can focus on a few markets and analyze them thoroughly. Focusing on a few will allow you to develop a deeper understanding that can boost your analysis.
New trends and updates emerge regularly. For example, teams and players are adapting their strategies to the new dynamic smoke grenades.
This approach will give insight into how teams and players think. Such information can be crucial when analyzing betting markets.
Common promotions include deposit bonuses, accumulator boosts, reload deals, and free bets. These can be used for your Counter-Strike bets. However, pay attention to the wagering requirements and other limitations.
The collective insights from these forums can help you understand the game better. They can also provide valuable information on the teams and their strategies.
If you are up for learning how to play the game, go for it. Being a player will shape your perspective when betting.
The following are the upsides and downsides of CS betting sites:
As much as you strive to select the best CS betting sites, put effort into learning about Counter-Strike. That is my recommendation for anyone new to the game. Experienced bettors can take steps to improve their betting strategies with the tips I’ve provided. After reading this guide, you should be ready to find the best CS betting sites for you. Our recommendations here at the Frog can be found on the banners of this page.
Counter-Strike often has several tournaments in a year, making it one of the busiest eSports in the betting world. These include the two Major tournaments and other notable leagues. Their dates will be announced by the event hosts.
Go to the payment or banking section and select “Deposit.” Some sites feature a deposit button at the top menu. Pick a deposit method, enter the amount, and follow the prompts.
You can do that as soon as you register. Email or phone number verification is often done before KYC verification.
