Don’t Lose Your Bet: 6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Betting on eSports Tournaments
Picture this: The grand finals of a major eSports tournament are about to start. Your favorite team, a world-famous name, is playing. You feel confident and place a big bet on them to win. But then, the unthinkable happens. They get completely crushed by a team you’ve barely heard of. This is a painful experience, and it happens because of simple, avoidable errors. This guide will walk you through the most common mistakes to avoid when betting on eSports tournaments so you can protect your bankroll and make much smarter bets.
Avoiding mistakes is often more important than finding the perfect winning strategy. Here at betadvisorzone, we believe that a disciplined and informed approach is the key to long-term success. Many of the errors bettors make are surprisingly simple to fix once you know what to look for.
Mistake 1: Betting with Your Heart, Not Your Head ❤️
This is the number one mistake. You love a team, you watch all their games, and you want them to win. This emotional attachment is called “fan bias,” and it’s a bettor’s worst enemy. You might ignore clear signs that your team is not in good form or that their opponent is a bad matchup for them, simply because you hope they will win.
How to fix it: Always be objective. Before you place a bet, ask yourself, “If I didn’t care about either of these teams, who would the statistics and recent performance say is more likely to win?” Look at data from sites like HLTV.org (for Counter-Strike) or VLR.gg (for Valorant) instead of just following your feelings. This is a core principle, whether you’re betting on eSports or looking at mistakes in football betting.
Mistake 2: Overvaluing Big Names and Ignoring Underdogs
Famous teams like FaZe Clan or T1 have a huge reputation. Because of this, betting sites and the public often favor them, which can lead to poor odds. Their odds might be so low that even if they win, you don’t make much money. And if they lose, you lose big. On the other hand, lesser-known “underdog” teams are often undervalued.
How to fix it: Learn to spot potential upsets. A less famous team on a hot winning streak, or one that has a great record on the specific map being played, can offer amazing value. How to read sports betting odds is a crucial skill here, as it helps you see which team’s odds offer the most value for the risk involved.
Mistake 3: Not Understanding the Tournament Format 🏆
Not all tournaments are the same. The format has a huge impact on how teams play.
- Group Stage: In the early stages, teams might play more relaxed or even hide their best strategies for later. A loss here might not mean they are out of the tournament.
- Single-Elimination: In this format, one loss and you are out. Teams will be playing with maximum pressure and using their very best tactics.
- Double-Elimination: Teams get a “second life” after their first loss by going to a lower bracket. A strong team might have one bad day, lose, but still fight their way back to the finals.
How to fix it: Before betting, always check the tournament bracket and format. You can find detailed brackets for almost any event on Liquipedia. A team’s motivation and strategy will be completely different in a do-or-die elimination match compared to a group stage game.
Mistake 4: Ignoring the “Meta”
The “meta” (Most Effective Tactic Available) in eSports changes all the time. Game developers like Riot Games and Valve release patches and updates that can make certain characters, weapons, or strategies much stronger or weaker. A team that was dominating the game one month ago could suddenly struggle after a new patch changes everything.
How to fix it: Stay up-to-date with the latest game changes. If a big patch just came out, be very careful. Watch some of the early matches in a tournament to see which teams have adapted best to the new meta before placing any serious bets.
Mistake 5: Chasing Your Losses 💸
This is a classic gambling trap. You lose a bet, you get frustrated, and you immediately place another, bigger bet to try and win your money back. This is an emotional decision, not a logical one, and it almost always leads to losing even more money.
How to fix it: Set a daily or weekly budget for betting and stick to it, no matter what. If you hit your loss limit, stop for the day. Accept that losses are a normal part of betting. If you ever feel like you can’t stop, it’s important to seek help. Our guide on how to get rid of betting addiction provides useful information and support.
Mistake 6: Only Placing “Match Winner” Bets
Most beginners only bet on who will win the entire match. This is the most common type of bet, but it’s not always the best one. There are many other betting markets that can offer better opportunities.
How to fix it: Explore other bet types. For example, you could bet on:
- Map Winner: Who will win a specific map in a best-of-3 series?
- Pistol Round Winner (Valorant/CS): A team might be an expert at pistol rounds.
- First Blood (LoL/Dota 2): Which team will get the first kill?
- Total Kills/Rounds (Over/Under): Bet on whether the total will be over or under a number set by the bookmaker.
These “prop bets” often depend on specific team strengths and can be easier to predict than the overall match winner.
Conclusion
Success in eSports betting is all about being disciplined and doing your research. By being aware of these common mistakes to avoid when betting on eSports tournaments, you can immediately improve your chances. Remember to bet with your head, look for value in underdogs, understand the context of the tournament, and never chase your losses. Bet smart, stay in control, and have fun.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What is the single biggest mistake eSports bettors make? Betting with fan bias. Letting your love for a team cloud your judgment is the fastest way to lose money. Always analyze the data objectively.
2. How do I know if the odds on a famous team are bad value? If a top team’s odds are extremely low (e.g., 1.10), the potential reward is very small compared to the risk. A single upset could wipe out many small wins. Look for bets where the risk and reward are more balanced.
3. Why is the tournament format so important? It dictates team motivation and pressure. A team plays very differently when their tournament life is on the line (elimination bracket) compared to a lower-stakes group stage match.
4. How often does the eSports “meta” change? It depends on the game, but major, game-changing patches often come out every few months. Minor balance changes can happen more frequently.
5. What should I do if I lose several bets in a row? The best thing to do is take a break. Step away for a day or two. Do not try to win the money back immediately. Sticking to your budget is the most important rule of responsible gambling.