Counter Strike: Global Offensive (better known as CS) is no ordinary tactical shooter; it’s a worldwide phenomenon that provides the cornerstone of competitive esports across the planet.

With a dedicated community of millions and a thriving professional scene, CS has been the driving force behind esports’ remarkable rise in popularity.

CS has also been at the forefront of the rising trend of esports betting, and bookmakers have been increasing their esports market coverage to meet the high demand.

Esports betting has now hit the mainstream. If you’d like to learn more about what’s involved, our detailed CS betting guide has the answers.

Whether you’re a seasoned gamer or a sports bettor exploring the niche for the first time, this guide is the perfect esports betting walkthrough and covers everything from bet types, odds and tips to smarter wagering and the top tournaments to follow.

What is CS betting?

Similar to more traditional betting pursuits like football and horse racing, CS betting involves placing real-money wagers on the outcomes of professional matches in the game.

The matches pit top teams against each other in intense, strategy-driven battles that are packed with enough action to make them ideal events for betting markets. In these terrorist vs counter-terrorist matchups, the sides compete over 30 rounds with outcomes decided by kill counts or pre-determined mission objectives, all of which can be wagered on.

With CS betting, the markets are extensive and varied, allowing you to place bets on match winners, map outcomes, round totals, player stats and more. Both pre-match and in-play options are readily available.

All major betting platforms and licensed online sportsbooks now have dedicated esports and CS markets available.

Types of CS bets

Before you unpin your grenade, it’s important to understand the types of bets that are available in CS. Here are some of the most common types of bets you’ll encounter:

• Match winner (Moneyline): Bet on which team will win the match.
• Map winner: Wager on the winner of a specific map in a series.
• Correct map score: Predict the exact final score in a Best-of-3 or Best-of-5 series.
• Total maps (over/under): Bet on the number of maps that will be played in total.
• Rounds over/under: Predict whether the total number of rounds on a map will go over or under a specific number.
• First to 10 rounds: Bet on which team will reach 10 rounds first on a specific map.
• Props (proposition bets): These include bets such as:
• Most kills by a particular player
• Winner of pistol rounds
• Team with the most bomb plants/defuses
• Live/In-Play bets: Available for most of the markets mentioned above, live/in-play odds change in real time based on what’s happening in the game, giving bettors more dynamic choices.
• Outright winner: Placed before the tournament starts, you can bet on which team will win an entire competition.

Popular CS tournaments to bet on

The pro CS calendar is jam-packed with tournaments, giving esports bettors numerous opportunities to place bets throughout the year. Here are some of the most popular CS tournaments to bet on:

CS major championships

The majors are the most prestigious tournaments on the scene. They include events such as the PGL Major and BLAST.tv Major, and they can feature prize pools north of $1m for the players and teams involved.

These tournaments are the equivalent of the NFL’s Super Bowl or the Champions League in football. Bookies usually step things up around the Major Championships, with wider varieties of markets and specials.

ESL Pro League:

Founded in 2015, the ESL is a global league featuring the best teams, and they contest fixtures in a longer-format competition.

IEM (Intel Extreme Masters) Series:

This series of major events is hosted around the world and often draws elite competition.

BLAST Premier Series:

Around since 2020, BLAST is known for its glitzy production values and top-level teams.

DreamHack Open & Masters:

These events mix tier-one and emerging teams, offering a wide range of matchups and betting opportunities.

Regional qualifiers and online events:

These secondary events can be less predictable, but with the right research, they can offer interesting betting value.

How CS betting odds work

Understanding how odds work is your key to placing smarter bets, and it’s relatively straightforward to get a handle on how CS odds function. In basic terms, CS match odds reflect the likelihood of different outcomes occurring. Each set of odds comes equipped with its own probability percentage. For example, an outcome priced at 2/1 has a 33.3% chance of landing.

In CS and esports betting in general, decimal odds such as 3.00 are used instead of fractional prices like 2/1. Despite their different appearances, they work in the same way.

Here’s a working example. Say you place a £10 bet on a team to win a CS match at 2.50 odds. If your bet is successful, you would stand to win £25 (including your stake).

The bookmakers set odds for each outcome, basing their prices on factors such as team rankings, recent form, map preferences and historical matchups.

Live and in-play odds are more dynamic, however, and can shift dramatically during a match based on in-game developments such as clutches, comebacks or dominant plays.

You might have heard the term “value betting”. This strategy involves spotting esports odds that underestimate a team’s actual chance of winning. Careful research can give you a better chance of finding value.

Tips for betting on CS

If you want to learn more about how to bet on CS successfully, follow these Counter-Strike betting tips:

Do your homework

Stay up to date on the latest team news, recent performances, map histories, playing styles, team tactics and other relevant stats. Carry out research and watch as many games as you can. A more informed bettor is a smarter bettor.

Shop for the best odds

You always want to get the best value, so use multiple sportsbooks and odds comparison services to compare prices. Some platforms offer special promotions for CS, so it’s always a good idea to shop around.

Stick to familiar formats

BO3 (Best of 3) formats are generally more reliable than BO1 (Best of 1), which have a greater potential for upsets.

Bet responsibly

Always try to be objective and bet with your head instead of your heart. Don’t back your favourite team just because you want them to win. Keep tight control over your budget, and never chase losses. CS can be very unpredictable, so try to avoid making all-in bets.

You should never gamble with money you can’t afford to lose. Set limits for yourself, and take breaks if it becomes stressful. There are some excellent services and tools, such as deposit limits and self-exclusion, that you can use if necessary.

Esport betting is here to stay

CS is more than just a video game; it’s a strategic, action-packed esport that can offer plenty of interesting opportunities for intelligent bettors.

With a wide variety of bet types, dynamic live/in-play odds, unique markets and year-round tournaments, it’s easy to see why CS esports betting is a booming industry.

Like players of the game itself, bettors need discipline, the right preparation and a smart strategy to be successful in the betting realm. Our CS betting guide should equip you with the skills and information you need to make more informed decisions along the way.

Always remember to bet responsibly.