How to Bet on Yourself in Esports

Esports betting has become a global phenomenon. Many esports fans like wagering on the matches they watch.

Of course, many of these same fans also play console and/or computer games themselves. They’d appreciate the opportunity to gamble on their own skills. Luckily, this opportunity is here and readily available.

The following guide discusses how you and others can bet on your own play and win money. It also dives into the contrast between traditional esports betting and wagering on yourself.

How Traditional Esports Betting Works

If you’ve ever made an online sports bet before, then you’ll see many similarities when it comes to standard esports gambling.

The latter features the same type of bets and odds. The big difference between esports and sports betting is what you’re wagering on.

In the case of esports, you’re gambling on individuals or teams to win a gaming contest. For example, you might pick BIG to beat FaZe in a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) moneyline.

Here’s an example:

• BIG -155 (you’re risking $125 for every $100 in winnings)
• FaZe +125 (you’re risking $100 for every $155 in winnings)

Esports betting provides a variety of other bet types too, including totals (over/under), live wagering, prop bets, and parlays.

Again, you should experience little trouble moving from sports to esports wagering. If you’re new to betting in general, though, then you can check out this guide on how to bet on esports.

Basics of Betting on Yourself

If you’re like most gamers, you’re far from a professional player. But you may still have aspirations of making money through your play.

In the past, the only way to do this was to pour countless hours into mastering a single game. Even then, you’d be hard-pressed to become a professional.

Luckily, though, some platforms offer ways for you to place bets on your skills even when you’re far from being a pro.

First off, these platforms let you gamble money on your, or your team’s, ability to win a match. The prospect is simple: you win the match and you win the wager.

The only problem with this system, though, is that sharks can simply target less-skilled players again and again. Assuming you’re not an amazing player yourself, then you could get taken advantage of by these near-pros.

Nobody wants to keep gambling when they lose most of the time. Therefore, player-vs-player (PvP) platforms solve this issue with matchmaking systems.

Here are the basics on how matchmaking works:

• You sync your profile on Xbox, PS4, or Steam to the operator’s system.
• Their system scans for players of similar rank.
• You’re evenly matched with opponents.

PvP betting has been around for over a decade, so it’s nothing new. However, the past dilemma with PvP gambling was creating level playing fields.

Again, though, matchmaking eliminates this problem. It looks at specific criteria (e.g. kill-to-death ratio) to put gamers of similar skill levels together.

Esports Betting vs. Wagering on Yourself

Traditional esports gambling is still the most-popular way to wager on esports contests. As covered before, it’s nearly identical to sports betting in many ways.

With traditional wagering, you’re risking money on the pros. You can improve your chances of winning by handicapping matches beforehand and looking for value on one side or another.

Here’s an example:

• You’re looking at an Overwatch match between Avoided and Obey Alliance.
• Avoided -200
• Obey Alliance +155
• You handicap the match and feel that Obey Alliance is underrated at +155.

Player-vs-player betting can look similar in terms of odds. For example, you might jump in a Call of Duty match with eight total players and be given +475 odds of winning.

Of course, the key difference here is that you’re in control the bet’s outcome. Your skills will directly influence how you do.

This aspect differs greatly from traditional betting, where you can’t do anything after placing a wager. You merely sit back and watch the professionals determine the results.

Pros of Betting on Your Own Esports Play

Betting on yourself provides different thrills than normal esports gambling. Below, you can see the main benefits to this style of wagering.

You’re Directly Involved in the Action

You probably don’t need much incentive to play video games. After all, gaming is extremely entertaining on its own.

However, adding gambling to the matter enhances something that’s already exciting. You not only get to enjoy the games you love but put money on the line as well.

Win or lose, you’re going to enjoy more excitement than if you’re just playing recreationally. You might even fall in love with this type of wagering versus standard esports betting.

You Can Win Money By Playing Well

The pros used to be the only ones who make money by playing video games. You, meanwhile, were left sitting on the sidelines.

PvP gambling has changed this situation, though. It lets you get involved in the action and win money if you play well enough.

Of course, the matchmaking system makes it tougher to absolutely dominate. But you can still go on a good run and win some serious money.

PvP Betting Doesn’t Require Much Adjustment

Player-vs-player gambling features similar odds to traditional betting. That said, you shouldn’t be overwhelmed when switching between the two.

You’ll typically deal with moneylines when wagering on yourself. Provided you understand moneylines, then you’ll be good to go.

Cons of Betting on Yourself in Esports

Betting on your own action is certainly a different experience. However, this experience isn’t always a good one due to the following downsides.

Hard to Separate Yourself from the Pack

Matchmaking is a necessary evil in player-vs-player esports betting. After all, bookmakers can’t risk losing numerous customers due to lopsided matches.

On the other hand, though, matchmaking makes it difficult to earn consistent money. You’ll be hard-pressed to keep winning when you’re always paired with similar players.

Of course, you could improve your skills, continue winning matches, and move up the ladder. At a certain point, though, you’ll run into competition that’s either equal or better than you.

Account Sharing Can Happen

The current ratings systems are much better than what previous (and now-defunct) platforms offered. However, they’re not 100% foolproof.

One way that players can get around the system and take advantage of opponents is by sharing their account with a better gamer. For example, a below-average player could give their login details to a friend who’s a near-professional.

Or, if they know the skilled gamer in person, they could simply invite them over. In either case, these colluders are circumventing the ratings system and winning more often.

Gambling Can Take the Joy of Playing Away

You might find player-vs-player gambling so addicting that you get carried away with it. This is perfectly fine as long as you have the funds to keep playing and betting.

At some point, though, the process can begin to feel like a grind. The PvP aspect adds more intensity that, after a while, can wear you down.

You likely didn’t start playing video games with the sole intent of becoming a professional or, more recently, betting on yourself. That said, player-vs-player gambling can rob you of some joy when gaming.

Should You Start Gambling on Your Own Skills?

You should seriously consider wagering on yourself if you:

1. Like playing games.
2. Want more at stake when you’re playing.

PvP gambling won’t completely replace traditional esports betting. However, it brings a fresh perspective to the matter.

You no longer need to let the pros determine everything regarding your ability to make money from esports wagering. Instead, you can lay money on your own skills.

As covered throughout this post, betting on yourself carries pros and cons. You may not find player-vs-player esports betting to be absolutely perfect. However, you still might try it if you think that the benefits outweigh the negatives.

Conclusion

You shouldn’t experience much trouble getting started with PvP esports betting. The odds and wagering process between the two are very similar.

The key difference, though, is that you’re actually playing rather than betting on pros to win. This unique aspect makes player-vs-player gambling special.

More platforms are allowing you to bet on your own skills. Assuming you like esports gambling, then you might consider trying this type of wagering.