Live, or in-play, betting is one of the most exciting innovations to reach the world of sports betting in the technological era. It gives gamblers the opportunity to continue to place bets on a game or a race while it is in progress. US betting sites initially offered live betting on sports like soccer and football, but bookmakers are now making it available across their wider portfolios – including esports betting. 

CS:GO is the most popular esport for betting, so it should come as no surprise that it is leading the way in this new type of eSport betting. However, it demands the right mindset and approach. If you want to give live CS:GO betting a try, keep the following tips in mind.

Choose your esports betting provider with care

Before we dive into what to do, a word about where to do it. Choosing the right bookmaker can make a bigger difference than you think, in terms of getting the best odds, the most markets, and maybe even a few free bets and other promotions to help your bankroll along. Gambling Sites is a useful resource here, as it lists all the best sports betting sites and sportsbooks side by side with their pros and cons, as well as any special deals they might be offering. 

Class is permanent – but form matters too

There’s an old saying in sports that form is temporary but class is permanent. But when you are live betting, it is the players who are suddenly in or out of form that can be the wild cards. Be alert for players who are “hot” and performing beyond their usual level. Likewise, some teams are over-reliant on one star. If you see signs that this star is having a bad day, that’s another important factor that can influence your betting. 

Take time to study map pools

Go into the game with a bit of pre-knowledge. Which are the team’s favorite and least favorite maps? The most obvious way to find this out is to look over their past results. There is no need to go back to the dawn of time, just look at recent months. You can also check out which maps are most commonly picked. Speaking of maps, it is important you know a little about them for their own sake, too. For example, some favor terrorists more than counter-terrorists, and so on. 

Be aware of the game economy

You have to have the right tools for the right job. Where CS:GO is concerned, this means some teams might go into a round for which they are ill-prepared, ready to sacrifice position in the knowledge that they have a good chance of making it up later. Keeping abreast of the game economy can be complex. However, live betting is really all about outwitting the bookmakers with your superior reading of the game. If you want to stand a chance of coming out on top, you’ll need to put in the legwork.