A quick guide to esports betting for absolute beginners

Do you have an interest in esports betting but aren’t sure where to start? There are dozens of things to consider when picking a betting site to use, and there are plenty more to learn once you actually get into the sportsbook. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed as a brand new esports bettor, but just a little knowledge can go a long way. Here’s how to find the right betting site and how to get started in the sportsbook for a brand new esports bettor.

How to find the right esports betting site

Betting in the United States comes with a ton of different laws that can vary by region. This can make it difficult to find the right esports betting site to use, but there are plenty of resources to help. Whether you’re looking for the best North Carolina sportsbook or a site that operates legally on the west coast, there are several comparison websites to check out. Now you only need to find out, which ones have your favorite esports.

First up, check out a site’s sportsbook and make sure that they put lines out for the esports you are interested in. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and League of Legends are easy to find, but more niche titles like StarCraft 2 or Overwatch aren’t available on every site. Prospective players are usually able to take a look at the sportsbook without creating an account. Make sure the website has your preferred games before making your first deposit.

Another important factor to look for is bonuses. New bettors have the advantage of not being tied to a particular site, which leads to many sportsbooks offering very attractive first-time bonuses. In addition to the actual dollar amount, it’s important to pay attention to a bonus rollover. Rollovers prevent users from cashing out bonuses before they are used to make a certain amount of bets. It can take a while to work through the rollover, so be sure to check before committing.

How to get started on a new esports betting site

Even if you have a loaded account and a bet slip in front of you, there are still a few things to plan out before starting to bet on esports matches.

The most important thing to do is set an early budget and stick to it. Going all-in on a surefire match may work the first time, but it definitely won’t over the long run. Start by placing small bets until you get used to the site and are confident you won’t make any mistakes. From there, you can slowly crank up the bet totals. For a complete beginner, it’s not a bad idea to place some $1 bets just to build confidence. Mind how much you add to your account monthly and set a limit early on additional spending.

Second, make sure to only bet when you have a cool head. It’s easy to take a rough loss and think that an even bigger bet will make it all back. However, wagers made in the heat of the moment rarely turn out well. There’s no shame in taking a break for a few days before hopping back in. Make sure to conduct research for every bet and consider playing the odds if you think the sportsbook got it wrong.