It’s pretty much a given that you’re here to learn how to become a good Dota 2 punter, but before you get to that point you need to get with the very basics of how to bet on Dota 2 games in the first place. If you’re a total newbie to the Dota 2 betting game, then this article should be your starting point. If you’ve done this before, then it’s always a good idea to come back to this every now and then if you need a refresher!
Real Money eSports Betting
As the name would imply, real money eSports betting refers to gambling actual money on professional video game matches, coursed through online bookmakers. As opposed to skins betting sites (e.g. Dota 2/CSGO Lounge, CSGOHunt, etc), online bookmakers accept only real money and are fully licensed and regulated by their respective governing bodies.
With the rapid growth of the eSports scene the world over, gambling companies have taken notice. There are several bookmakers out there that now offer betting on a wide variety of eSports titles, and there has never been a better time to get into the game. Real money eSports gambling is fun, simple, and can even be a source of income if you’re lucky enough. However, at the end of the day, always remember that gambling is gambling and even the highest of rollers have bad betting days. The important part is to know when to bet and when to stop. Try not to chase your losses, especially if your loss was due to bad luck.
The Basics
We will be using bet365.com as the example for this how to article. The actual steps taken while betting may differ depending on the bookmaker you play with, but they all follow the same process, more or less.
First off, you’re going to want to create an account on the websites of the bookmakers you intend to play with. If you don’t know where to start, check out some of our recommendations over at our bookmaker reviews page. We highly recommend starting with bet365, our example here. They have a great, newbie-friendly interface and the most number of options when it comes to Dota 2 betting, so you will rarely ever find days with no Dota 2 games to bet on in their site.
To create an account, simply head over to your respective bookmaker’s registration page. This should be simple enough so we’ll leave you to that. Afterwards, find out how to claim your free bet upon account creation. Each bookmaker has different terms and conditions with regards to free bets, which you can also find in our reviews. If the bookmaker you signed up with requires a deposit before claiming the signup bonus, read on.
Most online bookmakers will have a page dedicated to displaying their eSports books. In this example, the eSports section is located on the navbar to the left. Click on it to navigate to the section. This will vary from site to site, so keep your eyes peeled on your bookmaker’s interface to find the eSports section.
From there you will usually find the events that are being priced up by the bookmaker, or the books themselves without any kind of sorting. In our example’s case, the markets are arranged according to the title of the game and the market type. Look for the cards that say “Dota 2”, then click on the market of your choice.
For this guide, we will be choosing the “Match Winner 2-Way” market for the TI6 qualifier matches. Clicking the link will bring you to the books for that particular market in that event.
Here you will see the odds for each team in the upcoming matches. These odds are computed by the bookmakers, based on a team’s perceived chances of defeating their opponents or accomplishing feats such as being the first to take Roshan in a game or scoring the most kills in the series. The closing time for each book is displayed on the right of the matchup title, giving you an idea of how long you have to mull over the options.
Once you’ve chosen a side, simply click on the team you wish to bet on. This will add the team to your bet slip. You can adjust your stake on the bet slip itself by typing the number into the box. In most cases, the bet slip will automatically show you how much you get in return after typing in your stake.
Once you’re finished, simply hit the “Place Bet” button to finalize your bet slip. From there, you can choose your payment option. It’s really that simple!
General Tips
Always remember that different bookmakers might place different odds on matches. You may be able to find a better deal elsewhere, so make sure to look in several places before committing your bet slip. Of course, this will only matter if the match you’re betting on is being offered by more than one bookmaker, but it’s safe to assume that the biggest events out there will be priced up by more than a few.
Of course, the best place to look for top deals and the most detailed betting tips is right here on our site. Do your research before you bet! Read up on the teams’ histories, their playstyles, their peformances as of late — and make sure to read our match previews in order to get the low-down on the teams competing against each other. Doing so will only help you make an informed decision when you do feel like wagering your hard-earned money.
In Dota 2, strange things happen on a regular basis. Sometimes it is better to wager on the underdog, especially when the favoured team is on a long winning streak. Streaks have to end at some point, and when you bet on the underdog in such a case, you could score big. Even outside of long streaks, teams can still lose to opponents that they shouldn’t on paper. Again, it’s still mostly down to luck, but there are ways to swing the odds in your favour.
Most importantly, though — remember to have fun. If your heart’s not in it, the game will likely just end up depressing you. Keep your chin up through the losses and you might find yourself winning more than you lose.
— written by Patrick “EthanKairos” Bonifacio (@EthanKairosSC2)
Top 5 Betting Sites
© 2016 Dota2Betting.com