Prop betting takes wagering to another level by betting on specific outcomes within a match, rather than simply betting on a match winner. This guide will break down everything you need to know about prop betting, including how it works, strategies, and some examples from popular esports titles.

What Is Prop Betting in Esports? 

Prop betting is a betting market that allows you to wager on specific events or outcomes that happen during a match. These ‘smaller’ bets, usually referred to as ‘props’, can cover almost anything that’s measurable within a game. 

Unlike traditional bets that focus on choosing a winner, prop bets let you focus on the more intricate elements of gameplay.

Prop betting first started in traditional sports betting, where fans could bet on things like who would score the first touchdown, for example. As esports grew over the years and eventually turned into a multi-billion-dollar industry with professional leagues, tournaments, and booming viewership, sportsbooks spotted the opportunity to bring the same granular level of wagering into esports betting.

In the early days of sports betting, wagers were limited to basic moneyline bets (simple bets on who would win a match or series). However, with esports tracking numerous metrics and data, the introduction of prop bets was inevitable. Esports betting sites now offer props to give their fans more ways to bet on their favorite esports matches.

These days, prop betting is one of the most popular ways to bet on esports because there are so many markets to choose from, and it’s an exciting and unpredictable wager. 

How Prop Betting in Esports Works

Prop betting in esports is the exact same process as in traditional sports. Each prop bet focuses on a specific moment or performance metric within a game. These bets can be player, team, or game-specific, which gives you a huge range of options to choose from. This could be something such as which player will get the first kill in a combat game, or how many goals a team will score in a game of EA FC.

The betting odds for prop bets are calculated in the same way as odds are calculated for other sportsbook markets. Bookies will use past data from matches, player performance, and the current form of the teams or players to estimate the likelihood of each event. 

League of Legends Prop Betting 

In League of Legends, the most common prop bet is which team will destroy the first tower. Towers are a major objective that protects each team’s base. To win this bet, the team you bet on needs to destroy a tower before the other team does. 

If the team you’re backing pushes early and gets a good start, your bet could win. But if they’re disorganized and fail in their early game plan, your bet could easily lose when the opposing team takes a tower.

League of Legends Prop Bet Example: First team to destroy a tower.

Counter-Strike 2 Prop Betting 

In Counter-Strike 2, props are mostly focused on individual player performance. Common prop bets can range from most kills in a match to first blood (like in our example above). If the player you’re backing gets the first kill in a match, your bet wins. 

If any other player gets first blood, your bet loses. If you’re wagering on prop bets in CS2, you need to keep strategy in mind. Factors like the player’s form, map selection and team strategy all affect these bets heavily.

Counter-Strike 2 Prop Bet Example: Player to get first blood.

Dota 2 Prop Betting 

In Dota 2, Roshan is a neutral boss that gives out major advantages when it is defeated. A common prop bet in Dota 2 is choosing which team will be the first to kill Roshan. 

To win your bet, the team you choose needs to be the first to kill Roshan during the match. If the opposing team kills Roshan first, your bet loses.

Dota 2 Prop Bet Example: Team to get first Roshan kill.

Prop Betting vs Moneyline Betting 

Moneyline betting is a straightforward bet on who wins the match. Prop betting, on the other hand, focuses more on specific in-game events. 

Each of these esports betting formats requires a different strategy and risk appetite, so let’s do a quick comparison between them below.

Feature	Prop Betting	Moneyline Betting
Focus	Bets on specific in-game events or player performances (eg, First blood, total kills, etc.)	Bets on which team or player will win the match
Complexity	More detailed and requires you to have a good understanding of the game	Straightforward and easy bets for beginners and longtime bettors
Range of options	A wide variety of bet types to choose from in a single match	Only bets on match or series winners
Risk	Unpredictable outcomes, which means higher risk, but also a greater potential reward if your bets win	Lower risk with markets that are easier to predict

Esports Prop Betting Strategies 

Prop betting requires you to understand the game, the teams, and the players. There are several strategies to keep in mind if you’re going for esports prop betting, and we’ll take a look at some of them below.

Esports Betting Legality 

Esports betting is legal in parts of the United States, but the rules vary from state to state. Each state in the US can set its own laws on sports betting (which includes esports betting). This is mainly due to the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA) being overturned in 2018. 

Some states like Nevada, New Jersey and Colarado allow regulated esports betting through licensed sportsbooks. Other states still restrict or ban esports betting (and traditional sports betting) altogether. In most states, bettors need to be at least 21 years old and wagers have to be placed through regulated bookies.

It’s always important to check the laws around esports betting in your specific state. Keep in mind that the regulations and laws are still evolving because esports betting is a relatively new market, so it could change in the future as well.

Prop Betting Pros and Cons

Prop betting in esports is an exciting way to change up your wagering experience. But you still need to look at it from a grounded point of view – there are still pros and cons to this betting format. And it’s crucial to keep this in mind, especially if you’re starting out with props for the first time.

✅ Pros	❌ Cons
Offers a wider range of unique betting opportunities	More unpredictable and harder to research
Potential for higher payouts in niche markets	Odds have a wide variation between different sportsbooks
You can bet on your favorite teams or players in-game	Availability may be limited across different sportsbooks

Conclusion

Prop betting is one of the most popular ways to bet on esports. Instead of just betting on who’s going to win the match, you can go into more intricate details of the game, like who gets the first kill in CS2, who gets the first yellow card in EA FC, or who gets the Roshan kill in Dota 2. 

There are hundreds of different markets to bet on, and props can become very niche. But as fun as prop betting can be, it’s still important to gamble responsibly. Esports betting is entertainment, not a way to make money – always remember that. 

You should only wager what you can afford to lose, and use responsible gambling tools like deposit limits, time-out features, and self-exclusion tools to keep your betting sustainable.

FAQs

Is prop betting legal?

Prop betting is legal in certain US states where regulated sportsbooks are allowed to operate. Each state sets its own laws on esports and sports wagering, so legality depends on where you live. Always check your local regulations before you place any bets.

What types of prop bets are common in esports?

Common prop bets in esports depend on the title and genre of the game. For example, in first person shooters, first kill, first headshot, and most kills are some great props to bet on. In other games, the first team to take an objective like Baron in League of Legends or Roshan in Dota 2 are common prop bets as well.

How are odds calculated for esports prop bets?

Bookmakers use player and team stats, performances, and recent form to estimate the likelihood of each event. The odds show you how probable an outcome is with higher odds meaning it’s less likely to happen, but with a higher payout if the bet wins.

Can you place live prop bets in esports?

Yes, most sportsbooks offer live (also known as in-play) prop betting during esports matches. You can place your bets during the match, but keep in mind that the odds will change in real-time as the match progresses.

Are prop bets more risky than regular match winner bets in esports?

Yes, in most cases prop bets are more risky. Props are based on smaller, less predictable events that happen during a match. While they carry higher risk, they also offer more reward with higher payouts. Successful prop bets require you to fully understand the game and the teams.

How to improve chances of winning esports prop bets?

Research is the best way to increase your chances of winning. Follow player and team stats, stay updated on the game meta, and watch replays of recent matches to understand playstyles and player tendencies. The more you know about how teams and players play, the better your predictions will be for prop bets.

Are there legal restrictions on esports prop betting?

Yes, some states limit or fully ban esports betting entirely. But other states allow betting only if it’s through regulated sportsbooks. Bookies need to comply with the local state laws, and bettors need to comply with the age and location requirements to place bets.