Esport odds – what are they?
Any kind of betting involves odds. As I said back there, odds are just numbers or probabilities indicating the chances that something might happen. In
esports online betting
terms, odds are used to indicate how likely it is that any of the following may happen in a specific e-sports game:
- A team/player wins outright.
- A team/player kills first.
- A team/player wins a map.
- A team/player wins a tournament.
Of course, there are a whole host of different potential outcomes you’ll be able to get esport betting odds on, and these are gonna vary on depending on things like which game you’re wagering on (Call of Duty and FIFA will obviously serve-up dramatically different bet options), and which bookmaker you’re using – something I’ll get into in a bit. First up, though, you’ll need to know how to
read
odds.
How to read esport betting odds – a quick guide
Whether you’re into Team Fortress 2 betting and kill-related bets, or you prefer backing your favourite amateur for MVP at the world’s biggest Overwatch tournaments, esports betting odds are typically read in the exact same way.
Games and outcomes aside, esports odds are almost always displayed as one of the following:
- Decimal odds.
- Fractional odds.
- American odds.
Now, the first step to understanding what’s what is getting your head around the differences between these big three formats – something I’ll break down for you in the next section.
Different types of esport betting odds explained – decimal, fractional and American
You’ll see decimal, fractional, and American odds all over the place regardless of where you go for your esports betting fun. Decimal is probably the most commonly-used format, while fractional odds are a little more complex, but have their quirks and perks. American odds are pretty much only used in the US or Canada, but it’s wise to understand these wherever you’re playing from, if only because some players prefer this format’s positive versus negative vibe.
Here’s what you need to know about each format:
| What are they? | How do they work? | Where/when are they most common? | Quick example |
| Decimal odds | Easy-to-read odds displayed with a decimal – e.g., “4.1 on Team A to win”. | You’ll need to multiply your stake by the odds stated. | In most parts of the world. | Let’s say you back Team A to win a COD tournament at odds of 4.1 – a $100 wager could potentially be worth $410 (winnings inc. stake). |
| Fractional odds | Traditional odds displayed as a “team/outcome” fraction – e.g., “3/1”. | You’ll need to multiply your stake by the first number, then divide it by the second. | In horse racing and on smaller-scale events. | You bet on a player called “Annihilator4” to get the first kill in CS:GO. You drop a stake of $100 on odds of 3/1. $300 is potentially up-for-grabs. |
| American odds | Odds displayed as positive and negative numbers – e.g., “+300” or “-300”. | Positive odds directly tell you how much might be on the table if you put down a $100 selection that wins.
Conversely, negative odds state how much you’ll need to wager to land $100. | In the US and Canada. | If you bet $100 on Team B to win a FIFA game at odds of +200, Team B coming through would result in $300 ($200 + initial $100 stake). |
Top tip: the best bookmakers out there will allow you to switch odds formats in their settings, usually via a drop-down box in the top-right that displays the default format. For no reason other than avoiding unnecessary mess, I’d say you guys should probably one format, then stick to it. Trust.
How to spot the best esports odds
Esports betting is immensely popular right now. As such, iGaming sites fight tooth and nail to always display the best possible odds to would-be bettors. To ensure you land the best deal every single time, be sure to:
- Pick an esport/game in advance.
- Compare odds between providers.
- Look out for odds fluctuations when live betting.
I’m in the perfect position to help you with that second point, because day in, day out, I rate and review the hottest bookmakers with the best esport betting odds around.
Now of course, depending on where you’re reading my guide from, the betting sites, apps and odds you guys have access to are going to vary. But I’ve some great news for you on that front – the banners on my site have been tailored to point you in the direction of trusted, licensed betting sites in your region that are just dandy for esports betting.
Do esports live odds differ from regular, in-advance betting odds?
Esports live betting
is a little different from placing your bets on upcoming esports games. On the surface, odds will be displayed in the same way (decimal, fractional or American) and checking for competitiveness is again just a case of cross-referencing between today’s hottest betting sites.
Where things differ is when it comes to fluctuations and volatility. You see, the esport betting odds displayed on live betting events are
almost always
subject to change. For example, if a player who was something of an underdog in the first round of a COD Capture the Flag game strikes four headshots in the first five minutes of round two, their chances of being crowned MVP( or the final player with the most kills) are going to go up – and bookmakers will revise their odds mid-game to reflect this.
Put simply, live betting requires you to stay on your toes and have a good awareness of things like:
- Player performances.
- In-game scores.
- Kill/headshot/goal counts.
- Last-minute odds changes.
As always, you’ll need to adapt your strategy accordingly – and the ways of doing so could vary depending on what kind of game you’re betting on.
How esport betting odds can impact strategy – a few examples
No matter what you’re betting on and when, the esport betting odds on offer really ought to influence
everything
you do, strategy-wise. Allow me to illustrate what I mean by way of a couple of classic examples:
Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege
Rainbow Six is a tactical shooter that’s super-popular among esports bettors – and with good reason, too. Ordinarily, you’ll be betting on the likes of:
- Match/map winners.
- Scores.
- First blood (kills).
- Handicaps.
- Race to three rounds.
Rainbow 6 esports betting
is incredible fun, but odds can vary from one betting platform to another. If Site A offers better odds than Site B, things are plain and simple, but if you’re betting live and odds are shaken-up in the second or third round of a game when players’ fortunes start to change, you’ll need to switch up your game plan. Forward planning and adaptability are everything – as is simply knowing your game.
Team Fortress 2
Unlike other multiplayer first-person shooters,
Team Fortress 2 betting
often attracts quite niche bet categories. I’ve written my own guide on how this sort of all works, but generally, top betting sites accept TF2 bets on the likes of:
- Craft.
- Spycrabbing.
- Halloween.
These kinds of skin and item-related bets are a little different from more generic “x player to win” wagers and might not come with such straightforward odds. If you’re looking at something like 67/10 rather than 3/1, for example, fractional odds might be best avoided if your bookmaker doesn’t offer its own easy-to-use calculators and convertors. Consider what kinds of things you’ll be betting on early, then select the most suitable odds format ahead of time, to save having to flick back and forth.
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Get more out of competitive esport betting odds with these expert tips<
So, choosing an odds format appropriate for your game and situation is important, as is knowing your favourite esport inside-out and tailoring your strategy to suit the game’s rules and your betting site’s advertised esport betting odds. But what else can you do to kick things up a gear and have more fun when you’re betting? Well, I always advise players to…
Pinning down the sites and apps that offer the best esports odds is one thing, but keeping your eyes peeled for great bonus offers is, I’d argue, just as important.
First timer? Esports betting sites might have a sign-up bonus waiting for you. Repeat customer? See whether there’s any bonus codes advertised on your bookie’s “Promotions” page or social media channels that might help you out. Thank me later.
Set your odds to one format early on – and stick to it
I touched on this point earlier, but it really is super-important. Esport betting odds are simple to understand and follow – but only if you don’t unnecessarily overcomplicate things.
So, scroll back up to my table from earlier, consider what kinds of games and outcomes you’ll be betting on most often, then select a format you feel comfortable with to keep things streamlined and simple. This’ll help to ensure a hassle-free esports betting experience. Every. Single. Time.
Seize the potential of fluctuating live betting odds
Esports betting odds are rarely fixed in the live betting world – and you can quite easily use this to your advantage, particularly if you know a thing or two about your favourite game and are good at predicting underdogs or changes in the tide.
Get your foot in the door of a VIP club
One thing a lot of my favourite betting sites and apps have in common is rewards. In addition to their new and existing customer bonuses, many brands serve-up special VIP perks to bettors who enrol themselves into loyalty programs. Depending on the site, there could be entry barriers for gaining access. But once you’re in, you can generally expect things like:
- Additional bonus codes.
- Free bet promotions.
- Loyalty point exchanges.
Pros and cons of betting on esports
Esports betting is fantastic fun. Even more so if you can find a reputable betting brand that offers market-leading esport betting odds in your area – something I’m sure you’ll pin down in minutes using the banners on my site right here.
But is esports betting right for you? Perhaps these pros and cons will help you decide:
- Have more fun watching esports
- Enjoy competitive betting odds
- Test out new strategies
- Place live bets in real-time
- PRO#5
- Esports betting isn’t permitted everywhere
Final thoughts – esport betting odds aren’t as tricky as you might think
Between those bizarrely-named formats and ever-changing in-play numbers, odds are, well… just odds – they’re a number indicating how likely it is a certain outcome will occur by the time a game ends. What am I saying here? Well, once you know how to read them and what kinds of odds represent a “good” or competitive deal, you’re up, up and away, basically.
So long as you stick to one standardised format to avoid confusion and play with a locally licensed betting site that offers competitive numbers on your favourite esports, you can’t really go too far wrong. Having said that, activating bonuses, enrolling yourself into a VIP or loyalty program and exploring betting strategies that suit your style will certainly enhance your all-round experiences; trust.
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Esport betting odds FAQ
👀 Which betting brand offers the best odds on esports?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, really, because betting sites vary by region and odds are often continuously updated – particularly in the live betting world. The good news? By using my guides, you can very quickly discover the best betting sites and apps legally available wherever you live.
🤔 Are American, fractional, or decimal odds best?
Realistically, this just depends on how you like to read. Decimal odds are arguably clearest, requiring you to simply multiply your stake by the odds stated to see what’s what. Fractional odds might make more sense on horse racing or smaller events, mind, while American odds offer no-nonsense positive and negative numbers which some players find easier to interpret and understand. Here’s how the three compare…
❓ Is it easy to calculate winnings from esports betting odds?
To be honest this depends on the bookmaker you’re using. Most of my favourite sites will calculate potential outcomes, winnings and the like automatically, meaning you won’t need to do any legwork of your own. Get acquainted with the best betting sites where you live now.
