DOTA 2 BETTING | Your Basic Betting Guide To Dota 2
Looking to get up to date with the Dota 2 Betting scene? Look no further.
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Dota 2 Betting Markets
Dota 2’s popularity as a mainstay of the competitive scene has translated into Dota 2 betting becoming one of the largest markets for esport betting as a whole. Operators can offer up to three different betting options:
- Pre-Match Betting
- Live/In-Play Betting
- Tournament/Outright Betting
Because of the nature of the game, a lot of punters have begun favoring Dota 2 Live Betting. Due to different strategies that make the core of Dota 2’s gameplay, live betting can be very profitable for punters with adequate game knowledge. Other bettors tend to bet on match outcomes before the matches themselves even start, taking much bigger risks for even bigger returns. Last but not least, certain bettors enjoy placing money on their favorite team in hopes of them lifting the trophy, which is possible through outright/tournament betting.
Pre-match Betting
Like in betting on traditional sports, pre-match betting is the most popular form of gambling when it comes to Dota 2 betting. Betting on matches before they even begin has been the norm for betting in modern times, and Dota 2 is no different.
How does it work? To put it simply, Dota 2 betting sites offer odds on different matches. Not too long ago, betting on the outright winner of the match was the only form of gambling available to would-be punters. Nowadays, punters can choose from more than 30 different types of bets when it comes to Dota 2, a topic we will touch upon later in this piece. To summarize, Dota 2 pre-match betting is a term used for placing bets before the match even starts.
Live/In-play Betting
Due to the nature of the game, live betting has slowly become a staple of Dota 2 gambling. With a big number of different strategies teams can employ, live betting can be quite profitable if the punter knows what he’s actually doing. The game features a variety of different playstyles, a seemingly endless amount of unique drafts, certain strength spikes during which one team has a specific edge, and even a solid comeback mechanic. A bettor who has a deep understanding of the game can see through even the highest of odds and make the right choice, no matter how big of a longshot it may seem at that moment.
While almost all of the top professional players are fairly even mechanically, Dota 2 at its core is a game of momentum. The best teams have a way of either imposing that momentum on their opponents or adjusting to their opponent’s tempo and reacting accordingly.
Check our extended guide to esports live betting here.
Outright/Tournament Betting
Although not the most popular method of wagering on the game, Tournament Betting is yet another staple when it comes to gambling on Dota 2. Whether you are just following your heart and betting on your favorite team, have a deep understanding of the game’s meta and picked your favorites correspondingly, or are just looking for that next Cinderella story, betting on outright tournament winners could net you a decent chunk of change.
The potential odds in this type of betting can give huge returns more often than not, making tournament betting a worthy addition to the Dota 2 gambling portfolio.
Feel welcome to read more in our esports tournaments guide.
Dota 2 Special Bets
With such a wide array of things happening at any moment of the game, special types of bets have also become abundant in the betting market. Be aware, some of these are only familiar to punters who follow or play the actual game. Some of the most popular types of special bets available are:
- Total Maps Played(Over/Under) – Whenever teams are playing Bo3 or Bo5 matches, this type of special bet determines how many maps in the series will be played. Due to the draft order in Dota 2 that allows for a specific number of bans apart from the hero picks, teams have a way of neutralizing their opponents’ best strategies, thereby giving them a chance even if they get defeated during the first map played. This type of bet is good if you know that a team will completely dominate the other side, or if the matchup itself will go its full length. For example, if a particular match is played in a best of 3 format, and you feel like one side will completely sweep the other, you can place a bet on “Under 2.5 maps to be played”.
- Race to Kills – Another type of special bet for all the Dota 2 connoisseurs among you. With some teams employing a very aggressive playstyle that focuses on heroes that have an edge during the early parts of the match, you can bet on whether the team will get to a specified number of kills first.
- First Blood – First Blood is a term commonly found throughout MOBA’s esports that determines whether a team is going to get the first kill in the match. This typically occurs during the very start of the match, or the very early game. If you see a hero line-up that has a lot of potential to quickly dispose of an opponent during the start of the match, betting on first blood can seem as easy as a walk in the park.
- First Roshan – Roshan is a valuable objective in the game that offers teams a big advantage if taken. While the First Roshan bet largely depends on the tempo of the match, there are certain teams and heroes that specialize in taking it. One of Dota 2’s most popular heroes Ursa is quite adept at taking Roshan by himself, and teams can have a hard time at stopping him from doing just that.
Dota 2 Esports Betting Sites – Honest Reviews & Ratings
GGbet
GGbet, is clearly a veteran in the esports industry, with years of professional experience in the industry. Offering betting odds on every popular esports title. It provides a wide selection of Dota 2 gambling markets as well as rich sidebet categories. Surely, their biggest selling point is the esports betting bonus for new customers. GGbet rewards new players with an exclusive 100% deposit bonus up to a maximum of €200.
100% Bonus
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Thunderpick
Thunderpick fully delivers in the odds department. Founded in 2019, this betting site has the Curacao Commission license, and takes pride in offering the best wagers possible. Few plat-forms can compete with Pinnacle’s odds, making it the best League of Legends betting site for experienced punters. In short, if you know what you’re doing, you’ll get great value for your money.
€200 Bonus
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the site covers most League of Legends tournaments, the betting markets are limited, so there’s a good chance you’ll only be able to make match winner wagers and handicap bets altough Thunderpick doesn’t have a mobile app (although it does have a mobile website), and you can only contact its support via email.
Bitcasino.io
Finally, something new! Founded in 2019 and licensed by the Government of Curacao, Is a veteran that’s already making strides in the gambling scene. Betting with Bitcasino has all the pieces of the best League of Legends betting site puzzle: broad esports coverage, a decent promotion, extensive live streaming, and, of course, bitcoin betting.
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Cryptocurrency enthusiasts will find it easy to make a deposit, and the slick user interface allows you to instantly enjoy betting with Bitcasino.io
Dota 2 Betting Tips and Tricks
With your formal introduction to Dota 2 betting done, let’s move on to some useful tips and tricks regarding the actual betting aspect of this popular esports. Bear in mind that these tips can be applied to every other esports as well.
1.) Manage Your Bankroll
Gambling addiction is one of the worst things that can happen to you, even with something seemingly as harmless as Dota 2. This is why we want to encourage you to create and manage your bankroll. Stay within your designated budget and bet with the money you can afford to lose. A bet is not an investment, it’s a chance.
The best way to manage your bankroll is to place bets based on unit size or use percentage bets. Basically, bet a certain percentage of your bankroll on a match you researched. By doing this, you will have a hard time emptying out your bankroll.
2.) Learn About the Game
Dota 2 is a game that constantly evolves. With teams figuring out the best strategies daily, updates that can completely change the landscape of the game, and team form being a huge factor, betting on Dota 2 can be trickier than it looks. In order to be a successful Dota 2 bettor, the best way to learn the game is to immerse yourself in the game, either by playing or constantly watching it. Every bit of info counts.
3.) Use Dota 2 Special Bets
Do not limit yourself to a match-winner bet. At times, you could find yourself without an idea on who actually has the edge in a match since both teams are playing equally well. This is why you want to turn your focus towards special bets. As we suggested above, some teams specialize in certain things better than others, making your potential bets that much easier.
4.) Look For the Highest Odds
Pretty self-explanatory, as the actual odds are what determine your possible profit. The higher the odds, the bigger the possible reward is.
5.) Research Your Dota 2 Picks
One of the worst decisions you can make is placing a bit on a match you did not do your homework on previously. By doing this, Dota 2 betting becomes more of a game of chance, than anything else. Use all the advantages you can find in hopes of making the right call.
6.) Check If An Important Patch Has Been Released Recently
A new patch is a significant occurrence any time it happens in Dota 2. Every major patch almost completely changes the way the game is played, while minor patches tend to make the game more equal. With the possible shifts in the metagame, yesterday’s picks and strategies should remain right where they are, in the past. Certain teams do better than others if the current meta suits their style, so almost always expect a shift in the competitive power balance when big patches occur.
You can always check the most recent patch in the latest entries on the official game blog.
7.) Check For Recent Changes In Teams Rosters
It’s not a secret that Dota 2 teams are constantly swapping players. This is the main reason why you should always be looking for news about roster changes or player being replaced for certain tournaments.
A good time for roster changes is just after a big tournament with a prize pool of at least $1,000,000. It’s almost a rule: most losing teams will look for a roster change after getting bad results in an important tournament.
Bear in mind that stable rosters are more likely to show similar results over time.
Roster chemistry is a huge part of a team’s success. While new additions normally take some time to adapt to their new surroundings, teams that have kept their lineups intact for longer periods of time nominally have the advantage. It is up to you to determine if the newest additions will have an immediate impact on their teams, or if longer-tenured squads are hitting a slump.
Liquidpedia is a useful site through which you can follow real-time updates about tournaments and teams.
Dota 2 Betting – Types of Odds
While talking about Dota 2 betting tips, we briefly touched upon how important odds are. If you are in this to make a profit, then you are always on the lookout for the highest odds available. If you do not know the difference between American, Fractional, and Decimal odds, do not miss out on the next part of our guide.
American Odds
Hence by their name, American Odds are mostly popular in the United states. There are two things you need to understand regarding American odds. Favorites are labeled with a – while underdogs are labeled with a +.
A team that has a negative number attached to it represents the amount of money you need to place in order to win a $100. Contrary to that, a team that has a + and a number represents the amount of money you will potentially win on a $100 bet.
Example:
Odds on OG to beat Team Liquid are -400 while odds on Team Liquid are +200. If you bet $100 on Team Liquid to win, you have a chance to earn a $200 profit($200 + $100 staked = $300 in total). On the other hand, you will have to bet $400 to win $100 if you bet on OG(possible profit of $100 + $100 staked = $200 while staking $400).
Decimal Odds
Most countries in Europe and Australia tend to use Decimal Odds. From our point of view, they are the most convenient to use. You can easily spot the favorites with these odds are they are placed anywhere in the range from 1.01 to 1.75 while underdogs are above these lines. The only thing you need to do in order to understand decimal odds is to multiply the total odds with your stake.
Example:
Team Secret is playing against Fnatic and the odds on them to win are 1.25. Alongside this bet, you decided to add OG to win their match with an odds of 1.90. Here is how to calculate possible winnings on a $200 bet. 1.25 X 1.90 = 2,375 X $200 = $475.
Fractional Odds
A little-known fact, but fractional odds are by far the most popular type of odds that can be found online. The easiest way to understand these odds if you divide two numbers. There are variations to these odds. Certain Dota 2 betting sites will use /(slash) while others will use -(minus).
Example:
Fractional odds on Virtus.pro to beat PSG.LGD are 9/10 while odds on PSG.LGD are 6/1. Here is the easiest way to calculate possible winnings on a $100 bet. $100 X 9/10 = $90 profit + $100 stake. Contrary to that, if you want to bet on PSG.LGD here is how to calculate your winnings. $100 x 6/1 = $600 + $100 staked. Easy to understand, right?
Dota 2 Betting – Events And Pro Leagues
Truth be told, there are not a lot of tournaments Dota 2 tournaments throughout the year. Apart from The International (which is not only the most lucrative and popular Dota 2 event but arguably in the whole of esports), the Dota 2 competitive season is played through events such as Dota 2 Majors, the DPC League, and other smaller-scale tournaments.
The International
As mentioned above, The International is the most popular esports event because of the massive prize pool and prestige it brings. A yearly event that draws crowds numbering in tens of millions, The International has long been considered the crowning jewel of the Dota 2 competitive season. Last year’s winners took home $18,208,300 USD, with the total prize pool for the tournament totaling $40,018,195 USD.
Many teams spend the whole competitive year preparing for that one chance at lifting the Aegis of the Immortal and etching their names in the annals of esports history.
Dota 2 Betting – Major Tournaments
Every year, Valve announces a series of 5 Dota 2 Majors. Even though these events do not get the popularity TI gets, they are still very exciting and highly profitable. Due to the COVID pandemic that is shaking the world, Dota 2 Majors were either canceled or rescheduled. Check our detailed guide to Dota Singapore Major betting here.
Dota 2 – Professional Teams and Players
When it comes to betting on esports, it is important to mention that one player is able to turn things around and carry the game. However, if a team has an insane level of cohesion and chemistry, it is really hard for an individual to play against them.
If we are to talk about Dota 2 players that left a mark on the game, we can’t leave out these guys:
- Johan “n0tail” Sundstein
- Amer “Miracle-” Al-Barkawi
- Kuro “KuroKy” Takhasomi
- Danil “Dendi” Ishutin
Once we start talking about Dota 2 teams, it is important to look at things from two perspectives. Teams that won it all and the teams that have brilliant individuals but they lack trophies. This is why ranking the best Dota 2 teams could be hard for someone. This is why we decided to mention a couple of teams whose greatness can’t be denied. Here is a list of the best Dota 2 teams:
- Team Secret
- OG
- PSG.LGD
- ViCi Gaming
- Evil Geniuses
- Virtus.pro
Dota 2 Betting – The Basics
In Dota 2 the two teams „Radiant“ and „Dire“ compete for victory in a 5vs5 mode. At the beginning of each game, you can choose one out of 99 available heroes at the moment. These heroes are divided into the categories of strength, dexterity, and intelligence. All of the champions have 4 unique abilities and so their playing style differs a lot.
The goal of the game is to destroy the enemy “Ancient”, which is a part of their base. Like in League of Legends the map in Dota 2 is divided into three lanes (top, mid, and bottom). Minions spawn from your base and run toward the enemy base on one of these three lanes. By killing these minions of enemy characters players gain gold and experience. With a certain amount of experience, characters increase their level and can either upgrade the spells of their stats (hit points, mana, or attack power). The gold is used to buy items with very distinctive features that often decide the outcome of the match.
FAQ’s
1.) How to Bet on Dota 2?
In today’s world and age, it is really simple to bet on Dota. In the article above, we listed the best Dota 2 betting sites that will offer the full package. After signing up for an account, pick your preferred payment method and claim a welcome bonus. For more information, go through the entire article.
2.) What Does Dota Stand For?
Defend of the Ancients or so-called Dota is a video game that was introduced as a mod for WarCraft III: Reign of Chaos. The original DOTA was released back in 2003. Even though it was a big hit back in the day, it never lived up as an esports due to the graphics. However, Valve announced Dota 2 in 2013 and the game was a huge success instantly.
3.) How to Bet on Dota 2 With Real Money?
We talked about how difficult and troublesome Dota 2 skins betting can be. Contrary to that, Dota 2 real money betting is by far the best option if you want to start betting on this esports. You have a vast number of payment methods to choose from such as credit cards(VISA/MasterCard), eWallets(Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, PayPal, QIWI, etc.), cryptocurrencies( for example betting with Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple, Ethereum esports betting etc.), pre-paid cards(Paysafecard), Bank Transfer and various other.
