What is map betting in esports?
- Map betting focuses on individual maps, letting you wager on Map 1 or Map 2 for example, instead of the full match outcome.
- Different markets like map winners, totals and handicaps give you unique ways to use map-specific stats and strengths in your betting.
- Map betting relies heavily on research, digging into map pools, side advantages, and recent performance trends to make informed decisions.
Map betting is a great alternative betting market to explore in esports. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about map betting and give you some tips on how to make the most of this bet type.
What is Map Betting in Esports?
Map betting in esports is a type of wager where you predict the outcome of individual maps within a match rather than the overall winner. Instead of betting on who wins the full series, you can bet on who wins Map 1, for example.
This type of esports betting is especially popular on titles such as Counter-Strike 2, VALORANT and Dota 2 where each map requires teams to use unique strategies to tackle the different layouts and objectives. Each team will perform differently on the unique maps, which is why you get opportunities no matter which team is stronger.
Most esports bettors enjoy map betting because it offers more flexibility and variety than other types of bets. Some teams might start the series off strong but are weak on maps towards the end, while others might take one or two rounds to get into their rhythm.
Map betting lets you take advantage of these nuances without having to commit to the entire series outcome. You can also follow map-specific stats to get an advantage. For example, take a look at the teams’ win rates on specific maps or how they perform on attacker versus defender sides.
How to Place a Map Bet in Esports
It’s relatively straightforward to place a map bet in esports, and below, you’ll find a step-by-step guide on the process, which will make it even easier for you.
- Choose a reputable sportsbook. Only use a sports betting platform that’s officially licensed and regulated.
- Create your account. Make sure to verify your account and fund it before you start map betting.
- Open the esports section and choose your match. Look for upcoming live matches on titles like CS2, Dota 2, or Call of Duty. Open the match details to see the available markets.
- Choose the map you want to bet on. Markets are listed separately for each map, such as Winner of Map 1 or Winner of Map 2 for example. Some matches only allow you to place bets before the matches start, whereas others may offer live map betting.
- Choose your map market. Choose the specific type of bet you want to place such as Map Winner, Map Handicap, or Total Rounds (we’ll explore these in more detail later).
- Enter your stake and confirm the bet. Review the odds, enter the amount you’re wagering, and place your bet.
- Wait for the map to be played. Your bet is settled as soon as the map you bet on ends.
Map Betting Markets Explained
Map betting offers different markets for you to wager on. Each of these markets focuses on a specific part of a single map, not just the winner of a specific map.
Let’s take a look at the three main map betting markets in esports below.
Map Winner
Map winner is a classic. You’re simply betting on which team will win a specific map in the series. Your bet wins if the team you choose finishes the map with the required number of rounds or objectives.
For example, if you bet on G2 to win on Mirage (let’s say Map 2 in a best-of-three series), they need to secure more rounds than their opponents by the end of the map for your bet to win.
Total Maps (Over/Under)
In some esports formats you can be on the total number of maps played. You choose whether the series will go over or under a set number.
For example, in a best-of-three, betting ‘over’ means you expect all three maps to be played, while betting ‘under’ means you think one team will win in two straight maps.
Map Handicap
A map handicap gives one team a virtual advantage or disadvantage to balance the odds. Your bet wins if the team covers the handicap spread. For example, if you take Team A at +1.5 maps in a best of three series, they only need to win one map for your bet to win, even if they lose the series 2-1.
Map Betting vs. Match Betting
Map betting and match betting are very different types of bets. They cater to different play styles and different types of analysis. Map bets focus on short-term outcomes within a match, while match bets focus on the full series result.
We’ll compare the key differences between map bets and match bets in the table below.
| Feature | Map bet | Match bet |
|---|---|---|
| Scope | Focuses on the result of a single map within a match | Predicts the overall winner of a full match or series |
| Outcome | Settled as soon as your chosen map ends | Settled only after the full best-of series concludes |
| Odds | Often more varied because of the map-specific strengths and weaknesses | Usually more stable and based on the overall team strength |
| Strategy | You need to understand map pools, starting sides, and tendencies across different maps | Relies on general team form, consistency, and recent results |
Top Tips for Map Betting
It’s much more difficult to predict which team will win a specific map rather than predicting which team will win an entire series. Below, we’ve carved out some top tips for you to keep in mind when it comes to map betting.
💡 Check each team’s map win rates. Teams often have strong and weak maps, and these tend to stay consistent over time. Knowing which map a team loves and performs well on can help you choose a safer pick.
💡 Keep track of recent patches and meta changes. A map might be great for one team, but if a patch changes the meta, it could shift which team has an advantage on specific maps.
💡 Use live stats during in-play betting. Keep an eye on the stats as matches unfold and place your bets in real-time for the safest possible picks.
💡 Pay attention to starting sides. Some maps are great for attackers, but not for defenders (and vice versa). A team starting on the stronger side often has a better chance of winning the earlier rounds.
💡 Look out for fatigue in longer series. In a best-of-five series, teams can often start making mistakes because of fatigue in the late-stage phase of the match. This could give you opportunities in Map 3 and Map 4.
💡 Compare odds at different sportsbooks. Map odds can differ more than match odds from one bookie to another. Make sure to shop around so you can find the best value for money.
Conclusion
Map betting is a great way for you to get more involved in betting on your favorite games. Instead of predicting the full match outcome, you’re focusing on individual maps. This means you need to take a deeper, more analytical look at the two sides and focus on their strengths and weaknesses across different maps.
Map betting is a popular bet type in titles like Call of Duty, Counter-Strike 2, and League of Legends to name a few.
Betting of any kind, including esports map betting, carries risk. Make sure to stick with licensed sportsbooks, set limits, and only bet what you can afford to lose by gambling responsibly.
FAQs
What is a map in esports?
A map is a specific playable area or layout used in a match. Each map has unique objectives, routes, and strategies teams need to adapt to during gameplay.
What does map mean in gaming?
In gaming, a map refers to the environment or battlefield where players compete. It defines the terrain, lanes, chokepoints, and objectives that shape how the match unfolds.
What is the purpose of mapping players?
In esports betting, mapping players usually refers to tracking player performance or roles within a team. This helps you to understand the players better and collate stats that help you make more data-driven decisions.
What does over 2.5 maps mean in betting?
Over 2.5 maps means you’re betting that a match will go to at least three maps. In a best-of-three series, this happens only if both teams win one map each before the final map is played.
