Sports · Updated
Esports betting, map by map.
Esports betting means backing an outcome in a professional video game match: who wins the series, who takes a map, or how many maps are played. On King Exchange you can bet on CS2, Dota 2, Valorant and League of Legends, before the match and live.
Esports at a glance
In-play markets- Games
- CS2, Dota 2, Valorant, LoL
- Big events
- TI, Majors, VCT
- Match format
- Best of 1, 3 or 5
- When to bet
- Pre-match & live
- Odds style
- Decimal, back & lay
The short version
Key takeaways
- 1Most esports matches are a series of maps, played best of one, three or five.
- 2Map markets let you bet on a single map instead of the whole series.
- 3A map handicap of −1.5 in a best of three means the team has to win 2-0.
- 4One ID covers CS2, Dota 2, Valorant and League of Legends.
Markets explained
What can I bet on in esports?
You can bet on the match winner, a single map winner, map handicaps, total maps, the correct map score and more, pre-match and live. Match winner is the simplest: pick the team that wins the series, with no draw in a best of three or best of five.
Match winner
Pick the team that wins the series. There's no draw in a best-of-three or best-of-five.
Check recent results on the maps likely to be picked, not just the team ranking.
Map winner
Bet on who wins one map, such as map 1 or map 2, without backing the whole series.
Teams pick their strongest map early, so map 1 often favours whoever chose it.
Map handicap
One team starts with a head start or deficit in maps. On −1.5 in a best of three, the favourite has to win 2-0.
A good way to get a bigger price on a clear favourite.
Total maps
Bet over or under a line for the number of maps played. Over 2.5 in a best of three needs the series to go to a decider.
Evenly matched teams usually push a series to the last map.
Correct map score
Name the exact series score, such as 2-0 or 2-1. It pays more because it's harder to get right.
Useful when you expect the favourite to win but think the underdog can take a map.
Live in-play
Back or lay a team while the series is on. Prices update round by round and map by map.
Wait for the first few rounds before you judge which side is in control.
Know the games
How do esports matches work?
Most esports matches are a series of maps, played best of one, three or five. In a best of three, the first team to win two maps takes the match. How a map is won depends on the game: shooters like CS2 and Valorant are played in rounds, while Dota 2 and League of Legends end when one team destroys the other's base.
| Game | Genre | How a map is won | Biggest event |
|---|---|---|---|
| CS2 | Tactical shooter | First to 13 rounds wins the map | PGL Majors |
| Valorant | Tactical shooter | First to 13 rounds wins the map | Valorant Champions Tour |
| Dota 2 | MOBA | Destroy the enemy Ancient | The International |
| League of Legends | MOBA | Destroy the enemy Nexus | World Championship |
Handicap and odds
How does a map handicap work?
A map handicap gives one team a head start in maps. In a best of three, a favourite at −1.5 has to win 2-0, so a 2-1 win loses the bet. An underdog at +1.5 only needs to win one map. Half-map lines can't end in a refund, so every bet wins or loses.
Favourite −1.5
Win the series 2-0. A 2-1 win loses the bet.
Underdog +1.5
Win at least one map. A 2-0 defeat loses the bet.
Prices are decimal. Your return is your stake times the price, so ₹500 at 1.90 returns ₹950. Lay the same bet and your liability is ₹450. Half-map lines can't end in a refund.
Odds calculator
Settlement
How are esports bets settled?
Esports bets settle on the official result announced by the tournament organiser, and winnings go straight to your balance. Bets on a team that doesn't take part are void and your stake is returned. Forfeits, technical remakes and stand-ins can affect markets differently, so check the market rules first.
Esports has a few cases other sports don't, such as forfeits, technical remakes and stand-in players. If one of those affects your match, check the market rules or ask support.
Full settlement rulesOfficial result
Bets settle on the official result announced by the tournament organiser.
Team doesn't play
Bets on a team that doesn't take part are void, and your stake goes back into your balance.
Forfeits, remakes and stand-ins
These can affect markets in different ways. Check the market rules, or ask support on WhatsApp before you bet.
In-play
What moves esports odds during a match?
Esports odds move round by round and map by map. The map veto sets the opening price, pistol rounds and team economy drive CS2 and Valorant, early gold and kill leads snowball in Dota 2 and League of Legends, big objectives like Roshan or Baron can swing a game, and stand-ins weaken a team.
01
Map veto
Teams ban and pick maps before the series. A team playing its best map is a different bet from one playing its worst.
02
Pistol rounds
In CS2 and Valorant, the first round of each half sets up the economy for the next few rounds.
03
Economy
A team that can't afford full weapons is likely to lose the next round, and the price moves before it starts.
04
Early game
In Dota 2 and League of Legends, an early gold and kill lead often snowballs into a win.
05
Big objectives
Taking Roshan in Dota 2 or Baron in League of Legends can swing a game that looked even.
06
Stand-ins
A team playing with a substitute is usually weaker. Check the roster before the match starts.
Games and tournaments
Which tournaments can I bet on?
You can bet on CS2, Dota 2, Valorant and League of Legends, including The International, the PGL Majors and the Valorant Champions Tour. Markets open before each series and stay live map by map, and they all use the same ID and balance as your cricket bets.
- The International
- PGL Majors
- Valorant Champions Tour
- CS2
- Dota 2
- Valorant
- League of Legends
Getting started
How do I place my first esports bet?
Get your ID on WhatsApp, deposit ₹100 or more by UPI or bank transfer from an account in your own name, then log in, open Esports and pick a game and a match. Check the rosters and likely maps, start with match winner, check the price and liability on the slip, and confirm.
- 1
Step 1 of 4
Get your ID on WhatsApp
Message the official number and pick a username. Your login details arrive in the same chat.
- 2
Step 2 of 4
Add funds
Deposit ₹100 or more by UPI or bank transfer from an account in your own name, then send the UTR or a screenshot in the chat.
- 3
Step 3 of 4
Choose a match
Log in, open Esports and pick a game and a match. Check the rosters and the likely maps before you choose a market.
- 4
Step 4 of 4
Start with a simple market
Match winner is the easiest to follow. Enter your stake, check the price and liability on the slip, then confirm.
18+ only
Before you place anything.
Betting carries financial risk and can become addictive. You must be 18 or over, even if you play these games yourself. Online betting laws differ from state to state in India, so check the rules where you live.
Responsible gaming tools- 1Decide what you can afford to lose before the match starts, and stop when you reach it.
- 2Don't chase losses with bigger stakes.
- 3Set a deposit limit by day, week or month. Support can add one for you.
- 4If betting stops being fun, ask support to pause or close your ID.
Sources
Where to check the facts.
- LiquipediaTournament brackets, results and rosters across esports titles. (opens in a new tab)
- Valorant EsportsOfficial Valorant Champions Tour schedules and results. (opens in a new tab)
- LoL EsportsOfficial League of Legends leagues, schedules and results. (opens in a new tab)
These sites open in a new tab. King Exchange is not affiliated with them.
Answers
Esports betting: your questions
Short answers on games, live betting, series formats, map handicaps, forfeits and payouts.
8 questions
CS2, Dota 2, Valorant and League of Legends, including big events such as The International, the PGL Majors and the Valorant Champions Tour.
Markets open before the first map
Ready for the next map.
Ask for your ID on WhatsApp and you can be on an esports market in a few minutes. 18+ only. Betting carries financial risk, so set a budget first.
- CS2, Dota 2, Valorant, LoL
- Deposits from ₹100
- Same ID as cricket