If you want to take esports betting a step further, live esports betting is where it’s at. Instead of placing bets before a match starts, live betting allows you to stake your wager while the game has already started. This allows you to analyze how teams are playing and place bets based on what you see.
Live betting has grown in popularity, which is why betting sites have improved their live betting features. Below, we’ll explain what live esports betting is, how it works, and the best esports betting platforms for live betting.
Best Live Esports Betting Sites In March
Best Live Esports Betting Sites for In-Play Wagering: Our Picks
Not all betting sites offer a good esports live betting experience. Some websites limit the available markets, while others could be slow and suspend markets most of the time. Here are the best live esports betting sites that ensure you can get your live bets in easily:
Stake
Stake is a popular website that has a simple and clean interface. We believe Stake is the best website to play on if you’re new to esports betting, as everything is easy to understand.
GG.Bet
GG.Bet is an esports-focused website that has been standing for longer than other competitors. The platform always offers a wide variety of live betting markets, ensuring you have many options.
Shuffle
Shuffle is a newer kid on the block, but it has built a strong reputation for being a crypto sportsbook. If crypto is your number one payment method, this website is perfect.
1xBet
1xBet is a website that always offers a massive selection of live esports markets. However, the website interface feels a little outdated and harder on the eye. It is also one of the best Tekken betting sites available.
What is Live Esports Betting?
Live esports betting, also known as in-play betting, allows you to place bets on esports matches while the match is playing out. This means you can place bets any time during a series – from the start of the first map, in the middle of the second map, you name it.
This is completely different from pre-match betting, where odds are fixed before the game begins. In esports live streaming betting, the odds update in real time-based on what’s happening in the match.
For example, if a team wins several rounds in a row, secures a major objective, or wins a huge teamfight to claim a large gold lead, the live odds will shift to reflect that momentum. This gives you the chance to capitalize on potential comebacks or place esports betting bonuses on a high-odds comeback.
How Live Esports Betting Works
Live esports betting works similarly to regular esports betting. However, the main difference is the odds are constantly updating, and the markets could be changing. Once a match goes live, betting markets open and close depending on the state of the game.
When a game is being played out, most live betting sites will temporarily suspend markets during key moments, like:
- When a round starts or ends
- When a big team fight is happening
Esportsbooks odds pricing will react to what happens during this window, for example, if a team wins a huge buy round or if a team steals an objective. Then, odds are recalculated, and betting markets reopen and accept bets from players who want to enter.
Some of the most common esports live betting markets include:
- Match winner
- Map winner
- Total rounds played
- Over/under map duration
- Live handicaps
It’s important to note that odds can change very quickly, and bets often get suspended. Sometimes, you will only have a few seconds to lock in a bet before the odds change or the market gets temporarily locked again. So, live betting is made for bettors who are watching the game as it is playing out.
How Live Esports Betting Odds Change
The beauty of live esports betting is that the esports odds are influenced by what’s happening in the match at any given moment. Live odds work very differently from pre-match odds – things like match history, team ranking, and recent form are all completely out of the window, as live odds only react to real-time performance.
To give you an idea, here are some of the most common factors that affect live odds:
- Current Score: In round-based games like Counter-Strike or Valorant, teams that have a comfortable lead in a specific map will have their odds decreased.
- Economy or Resources: In tactical shooters, money and economy play a major role. A team with a strong economy has a better chance of winning the following rounds.
- Net Worth and Objectives: For MOBA titles like Dota 2 or League of Legends, the amount of net worth a team has tells a huge story. Additionally, being up a lane of Barracks or Inhibitors also puts a team in a better map state.
- Huge Swings: There can be plays that completely swing games around. For example, winning a “Swing Round” in CS2 or Valorant, or winning a huge teamfight in Dota 2 or LoL.
These are only some variables that determine how live odds shift. In reality, the exact factors vary depending on the esports title you’re betting on. Different titles have their own mechanics and win conditions, so it’s very important you understand the game you’re betting on so you can make educated bets!
Best Esports Games for Live Betting
Some esports titles are better suited for live betting than others, mainly due to their structure and pacing, which makes things predictable. Below are the top five esports betting games for in-play.
Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant
CS2 and Valorant are both based on round-based gameplay. This gives you the opportunity to place bets in between rounds, as markets almost always reopen.
Both these titles also have economy systems and momentum shifts that can make following rounds predictable and exciting to bet on.
League of Legends and Dota 2
MOBA titles like League of Legends and Dota 2 are perfect for live betting, especially if you’re betting after the drafting stage. Pay close attention to the teams’ picks and bans, then place a bet on which team has the better lineup.
While the game is playing out, keep an eye on objectives, scaling compositions, and net worth to identify which team is more likely to win.
Rainbow Six Siege
Rainbow Six Siege maps are known to favor one side, and defensive setups also play a major role in which team is favored to win the coming round. You can bet on Rainbow Six matches after watching a half, or in between rounds if you spot a team coming up with better strategies.
Image Credit: Hamilton-Baillie
Tips for Live Esports Betting
Though live betting can feel very exciting, it’s important to note that it also comes with a higher risk. Here are some very important esports live betting tips we suggest you take note of:
💡 Understand The Game You’re Betting On
You should only bet on esports titles that you know well. It takes knowledge and experience to spot key moments or momentum shifts, and betting live on a game you don’t play means you’re pretty much going into pure guesswork rather than smart betting.
👁️ Watch The Game Instead Of Betting Blindly
The point of live odds is to reward bettors who are actively watching the game. There’s really no reason for you to only rely on odds movement without seeing what’s actually happening. The odds displayed don’t always capture the full context of the current situation.
🔐 Use Smaller Stakes Compared To Pre-Match Bets
Live odds change very quickly, so we strongly recommend using smaller stakes than you normally would for pre-match bets. This is purely for risk management purposes and can prevent you from making one bad decision that might hurt your bankroll.
IMPORTANT: Consider Live Stream Delay
It’s very important to note that most esports live streams run with a delay. This means what you see on screen has already happened. Odds will always update based on what’s happening in real time – not what you see on the stream.
Online tournaments typically have a five-minute delay to prevent stream sniping. Meanwhile, LAN tournaments have less delay, sometimes ranging from only 0 to 60 seconds.
Simon Day
Simon has been writing about Gaming and Sports for over a decade, with his work featured in a variety of well-known gaming magazines. This year, he joined win.gg as an Editorial Specialist, where he continues to share his passion for the industry through insightful and well-crafted content pieces.
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