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Bovada offers betting odds on your favorite Esports games and gives you the opportunity to win real money by betting on all the virtual gaming action. This article will provide you with a closer look at Esports betting and review some of the more popular game titles currently available.

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Top 5 Esports for Betting 

One of the great things about Esports betting is that there are so many titles to choose from. The most popular game format for are first-person shooters (FPS) and multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA). Let’s review the top five most popular games for esports betting.

  1. Counter-Strike (CS2)
  2. Dota 2
  3. League of Legends
  4. Valorant
  5. Call of Duty

Counter-Strike (CS2)

Counter-Strike 2 is far and away the most bet Esports title in the world. This first-person shooter title dates all the way back to 2012 with the original Counter-Strike. The goal of CS2 is for one team to detonate a bomb in their enemy’s base, while the other team tries to prevent this from happening. This title has developed a massive following over the years and today most CS2 events boast prize pools of $1 million and above. 

Dota 2

The second-most popular Esports title, Dota 2 features a multiplayer format with intense 5v5 battles. Every player gets to choose from over 100 unique characters, each with their own special abilities. With tons of money up for grabs, Dota 2 tournaments are known for frequently breaking prize pool records. The game’s annual tournament, ‘The International’ features an incredible prize pool of over $30 million. 

League of Legends (LoL)

As one of the leading games when Esports was in its infancy, League of Legends played a big role in the growth of the industry. LoL is played out in a multiplayer online battle arena with teams going head to head in a 5v5 battle. As one of the most popular real-time strategy games, teams work together to destroy the base of their opponent across several unique battlefields. 

Valorant

This tactical 5v5 first-person shooter game is similar to CS2; the attacking team’s objective is to plant and set off a spike, while the defending team protects their base. With some Valorant tournaments already offering prize pools of $100,00 and up, this title is certainly on the rise in the world of Esports betting.

Call of Duty (CoD)

Call of Duty has become a household name thanks to its commercial success, but has also turned into a popular game professionals. It helps that there is a new iteration of this title every year. There is also an official Call of Duty League (CDL), which features 12 professional teams. Each team has its own name and logo just like any NBA or NFL squad. With $6 million up for grabs every season, CoD events draw huge audiences nearly every week.

How To Bet on Esports

Betting on Esports is very similar to betting on any of the other traditional sports. Bovada Sportsbook offers betting odds on all the biggest Esports games, giving you several ways to win real money while watching these events. Let’s have a look at some of the more popular bet types when it comes to Esports:

  • Win Bets

If you prefer simple wagers that are easy to follow, Win bets are your best friend. Similar to moneyline odds with traditional sports, Win bets are based on which side will win the match. There is no spread to worry about with this type of wager; as long as your team wins, the bet will be successful. These bets work the same as moneyline wagers, so keep an eye on the odds as they will determine the size of your payout. 

  • Spread Bets

Just like with traditional sports, such as football or basketball, Esports Spread bets help to level the playing field between the two sides of a match. This is a great betting option if you’re looking to bet the favorite but the Win bet odds are too steep. It’s worth noting that point spreads are not applicable to all of the Esports titles, so be sure to check Bovada Sportsbook to see which bets are available for each game. 

  • Total Bets

Total betting is another popular option, however they are only applicable to certain titles such as Counter Strike Global Offensive or Dota 2. These bets allow you to avoid picking sides and bet over or under on the total score set by odds makers, just like with traditional sports. 

  • Prop Bets

As you could imagine, there are many aspects of Esports that can be made into unique prop bets. One of the most popular prop bets is betting on the correct score of any official league or tournament matchup. If you can correctly pick the exact score between the two sides, you’ll earn a nice return on your investment. 

  • Future Bets

With so many leagues and tournaments taking place around the world, the Esports Futures market is filled with betting options. Whether betting on a team to win the DreamHack Finals playing Starcraft or to win the Horizon Cup for Wild Rift, Futures bets can offer tons of excitement for your money.