Esports betting guide: match winner, maps and Best of 3
Esports are competitive video games played by professional teams, such as League of Legends, Dota 2 and Counter-Strike. Betting on them works much like betting on other sports.
Match winner
The most common bet is the match winner. On the Golden88 match cards, W1 is the first team and W2 the second team. Tap a price to open the sportsbook and place your bet.
Best of 1, 3 and 5
Esports matches are played as a series of games (maps). Best of 1 is a single game. Best of 3 is won by the first team to win two games, and Best of 5 by the first to win three.
A longer series favours the stronger team, because one lucky game matters less. The format is shown on each match card.
Other markets
- Map winner: who wins one particular game of the series.
- Map handicap and total maps: bets on the margin of the series, for example over or under 2.5 maps.
- Live betting: prices change as a series is played.
Before you bet
Check recent form, roster changes and the format of the match. Esports teams change often, and results can be less predictable than in traditional sports. Keep your stakes small and within your limit.