Match Winner (Moneyline)
The match winner bet is the simplest and most popular bet type in esports. You pick which team will win the overall match. That is it. No map scores, no round counts, no conditions. If your team wins the series, you win the bet.
How It Works
In a best-of-three (BO3) CS2 match, the match winner is the team that wins two maps. In a best-of-five (BO5) League of Legends playoff, it is the team that wins three games. Best-of-one (BO1) matches in group stages are straightforward: whoever wins that single map wins the bet.
Practical Example: CS2
NAVI vs Team Vitality in a BLAST Premier BO3. Odds: NAVI 1.65, Vitality 2.25. You believe NAVI will win the series. You stake $25 on NAVI. If NAVI win 2-0 or 2-1, you receive $41.25 ($25 x 1.65), profiting $16.25. The scoreline does not matter for this bet type.
Practical Example: League of Legends
T1 vs Gen.G in the LCK finals (BO5). T1 at 1.50, Gen.G at 2.60. You like Gen.G as the underdog. A $20 bet on Gen.G profits $32 if they take three games, regardless of whether the series goes 3-0, 3-1, or 3-2.
When to Use Match Winner Bets
- When you have a strong opinion on who will win but are uncertain about the exact scoreline.
- As a beginner learning the fundamentals. Match winner bets are the easiest to analyze and track.
- When the odds offer value based on your analysis, without needing to predict the margin of victory.
Limitations
Match winner odds on heavy favorites can be very short (e.g., 1.15), offering minimal return for substantial risk. In those cases, handicap or over/under bets often provide better value. Also, in BO1s, match winner is your only series-level option, but the variance is much higher than in longer series.
Handicap Betting (Spread)
Handicap betting (also called spread betting) levels the playing field by giving one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage. It is particularly useful in esports when the match winner odds are too lopsided to offer value.
Map Handicaps in Esports
The most common esports handicap is the map handicap. In a BO3, a -1.5 map handicap on the favorite means they must win 2-0 for the bet to succeed. A +1.5 map handicap on the underdog means they must win at least one map (the bet wins on 2-1 losses or any underdog victory).
Understanding the Numbers
| Handicap | Format | What Needs to Happen |
|---|---|---|
| -1.5 maps | BO3 | Team must win 2-0 |
| +1.5 maps | BO3 | Team must win at least 1 map (wins on 1-2, 2-1, 2-0) |
| -1.5 maps | BO5 | Team must win by 2+ maps (3-0, 3-1) |
| +1.5 maps | BO5 | Team can lose but by no more than 1 map |
| -2.5 maps | BO5 | Team must win 3-0 |
Round Handicaps (CS2 and Valorant)
Within individual maps, you can also bet on round handicaps. For example, NAVI -4.5 rounds on Inferno means NAVI must win the map by at least 5 rounds (e.g., 13-7 or better). Round handicaps are available for both CS2 and Valorant at bookmakers with deeper market coverage like GG.BET.
Practical Example: CS2 Map Handicap
Team Vitality vs MOUZ in a BO3. Match winner odds: Vitality 1.25, MOUZ 3.80. Vitality are heavy favorites, so the match winner bet offers poor return. But Vitality -1.5 maps might be offered at 2.10. You now need to assess: can Vitality win 2-0? If you believe there is a 50%+ chance, this is a much better bet than the 1.25 moneyline.
When to Use Handicap Bets
- When the match winner odds are very short on the favorite (below 1.30).
- When you have a strong opinion on the margin of victory, not just who wins.
- When you want to back an underdog but think they will be competitive. +1.5 maps on an underdog in a BO3 is a popular bet that wins if they take at least one map.
- In BO5 series where there are more handicap options to choose from.
Over/Under (Totals)
Over/Under bets (also called totals) let you wager on whether a specific metric will be above or below a set number. In esports, common totals include total maps, total rounds, and total kills.
Total Maps
In a BO3, the total maps line is typically set at 2.5. Over 2.5 maps means you are betting the match goes to a decisive third map. Under 2.5 means you expect a 2-0 sweep. In a BO5, common lines are 3.5 or 4.5.
Example: NAVI vs FaZe BO3. Over 2.5 maps at 1.85, Under 2.5 at 1.95. If you believe these teams are evenly matched and likely to split maps before a decider, Over 2.5 is appealing.
Total Rounds (CS2 and Valorant)
On individual maps, bookmakers set a total rounds line. In CS2, a typical MR12 (first to 13) map might have a total rounds line of 24.5. Over 24.5 means you expect a close map (at least 13-12), while Under 24.5 means you expect a more dominant performance (13-11 or more decisive).
Some bookmakers also offer per-half totals and overtime-specific markets for CS2.
Total Kills (LoL and Dota 2)
In MOBAs, total kill markets are popular. A LoL match might have a total kills line of 25.5. If you expect a bloody, skirmish-heavy game, bet the Over. If you expect a controlled, macro-focused affair with few fights, take the Under.
Kill totals vary significantly by region. LPL games (China) tend to be much bloodier than LCK games (Korea), so regional knowledge is crucial for these markets.
Game-Specific Over/Under Examples
- CS2: Over/Under 26.5 rounds on Mirage. Over/Under 2.5 maps in a BO3.
- LoL: Over/Under 28.5 total kills. Over/Under 3.5 dragons. Over/Under 32.5 minutes game time.
- Dota 2: Over/Under 45.5 total kills. Over/Under 35.5 minutes. Over/Under 2.5 maps.
- Valorant: Over/Under 24.5 rounds on a map. Over/Under 2.5 maps in a BO3.
When to Use Over/Under Bets
- When you have a read on the pace or style of a match but not necessarily who wins.
- When two evenly matched teams are likely to go the distance (Over maps).
- When a dominant team faces a weaker opponent and a sweep is likely (Under maps).
- When you have regional knowledge about playstyle tendencies (bloodier vs controlled).
Combining These Bet Types Strategically
Experienced bettors often use these three bet types in combination to express nuanced opinions:
- Strong favorite, expect close series: Instead of backing the favorite at poor moneyline odds, bet on the underdog +1.5 maps AND Over 2.5 maps. Both bets win if the match goes 2-1 in favor of either team.
- Strong favorite, expect a sweep: Take the favorite -1.5 maps AND Under 2.5 maps. Both win on a 2-0. Higher combined odds than the match winner alone.
- No opinion on winner, strong opinion on style: Skip the match winner entirely and bet the Over/Under on rounds or kills. Your edge is in understanding how the match will play out, not who will win.
Note: combining these as parlays multiplies the odds but also multiplies the risk. In most cases, flat singles on each bet are mathematically superior. See our staking plans guide for more.
For more exotic bet types beyond these three core markets, see our prop bets and specials guide. For live betting strategies, check our live betting guide.