Esports betting: where to start.

Titles at Shuffle

Shuffle covers 14 esports titles. The most popular for betting each have their own page:

Match formats

An esports match consists of one or more maps. The format affects how likely an upset is:

• BO1 — a single map. The least predictable format: underdogs win more often.
• BO2 — two maps, a 1–1 draw is possible. Used in group stages, especially in Dota 2.
• BO3 — first to two wins. The most common format for serious matches.
• BO5 — first to three. Usually finals; the favourite converts their edge most often.

Popular markets

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  Match winner

  Who wins the series. The core market and the best place to start.

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  Map winner

  A bet on a specific map. Best placed once the maps are known.

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  Map handicap

  For example, +1.5 maps: the underdog only needs to take one map in a BO3.

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  Totals

  Rounds in shooters; kills and map duration in MOBAs.

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  Specials

  Pistol round, first blood, first dragon or Roshan.

Settlement rules worth reading

Esports has situations football doesn’t. Before you bet, check the operator’s rules on:

1. Walkovers. How bets are settled if a team doesn’t show up.
2. Remakes. Whether the original map or the replayed one counts.
3. Stand-ins. Whether bets stand if a team plays with a different roster.
4. Format changes. What happens if a BO3 is switched to a BO1 for scheduling reasons.

Live Stats and in-play betting

Shuffle has a Live Stats section with real-time match statistics, plus streams right on the site: the video sits next to the odds, so there’s no switching between tabs. According to HLTV.org, streams were available for 95% of CS2 events. Keep in mind that any stream runs on a slight delay, while lines update from data that arrives faster.

Five tips for beginners

1. Start with one title you actually watch.
2. Follow patches: after a big update, old stats lose value.
3. Check lineups and stand-ins before the match.
4. Compare odds: esports margins are higher than on top-flight football.
5. Be careful with tier-2 events: lines are less accurate and information is scarcer.