One genre of gaming that we often don’t think about is esports. Esports are competitive tournaments where gamers participate in multiplayer games. Did you know that Esports is a major area for betting right now?
Over the last few years, punters from all over the world have shown an insane amount of interest in esports betting. So, we thought, why don’t we create a guide for one of the most popular Esports titles, Overwatch. We even have the best Overwatch bookmakers where you can find the best markets.
Now, we’re aware that some of you may not be familiar with how betting works. So, we’re going to build up from scratch, starting with what Esports betting is and why Overwatch is the best title to get created.
What Is Esports Betting?
You already know what Esports is. It’s very similar to traditional sports if you think about it. It’s just that instead of a field or a court, the events take place in huge arenas. An individual player or a team of players compete against each other while spectators are watching for entertainment purposes.
Since the inception of Esports, a few titles have been dominating the industry. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, League of Legends, DOTA 2, and Overwatch are some of the top names we can think of.
Like millions of people are playing these games, millions of punters are betting on these games. These games’ “multiplayer” nature has created a unique community-based paradigm where people have free access to information and insights.
Considering everything, we believe Overwatch is a fantastic place to start if you’re looking into Esports betting. Without any further ado, let’s briefly look at what this game is all about.
But a quick reminder before we forget. Never bet at an unlicensed bookmaker. It’s a massive security breach. And unlicensed bookmakers are outright illegal in most jurisdictions around the world.
Let’s quit stalling and give you what you came here for.
An Introduction to Overwatch
Developed by Blizzard Entertainment, Overwatch is a team-based multiplayer first-person shooter. You have every right to confuse it with a battle royale or even MOBA. But don’t. It’s a simple approach to making first-person shooters more accessible.
Although it’s a relatively newer game in 2016, Overwatch has managed to rack up quite the fanbase. The game is currently available across PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox ONE. As you can see, it covers pretty much all areas where gamers are most active.
The game currently offers 10 modes with a whopping 21 maps! Also, there are 21 heroes you can choose from before each match begins. These heroes have a multitude of roles to play during the game. How you choose your heroes and maps will determine what the outcome of the game is.
As you can see, there are many variables at play. How a gamer approaches a match can have massive butterfly effects. And this is the very reason this esports title has been a great accessory to betting.
The Markets You Should Know for Overwatch Betting
In any sports betting, a “market” is an individual outcome. So, if you’re betting on a particular hero in Overwatch to win, that’s a market. As Esports share many characteristics of traditional sports, you must know about the markets before you start overwatch betting.
Match Winner
It’s safe to say that this is the market you thought of before anything else. It is one of those markets that go with any sports betting. You can place money on a team that you think will win the match in the Overwatch context.
Total Kills
If you’re familiar with over/under bets from traditional sports betting, that’s what we’re going for. The bookmaker you’re wagering at, LVBet, says there will be 8.5 kills during a round. You can now bet over or under the value to prove the power of your research.
Who do you think won if it were to give you 8 kills and the round has 8 kills? No one! Now, the bookies keep the value at an impossible number so that the game’s actual score doesn’t contradict.
Player Vs. Player Kills
We’re entering the world of unique markets with this bet. You may not find it at all of the Overwatch bookmakers because the markets vary from operator to operator.
This market is another rendition of the previous over/under market. But instead of going for the number of kills for the entire round or match, we’re going for how many kills the players can accumulate. You may also find further variation in the market as you explore more bookies!
Overwatch Betting Odds
A discussion about betting doesn’t sit well if we skip on the odds. It’s practically the backbone of the betting industry.
For each of the markets we discussed, the sportsbooks will offer odds. If it’s a match-winner market, you’ll see 2 different numbers associated with each team. Bookmakers offer fractional odds in the UK, while decimal odds are more prevalent in EU countries. Then comes the US, which uses a unique format known as the American odds.
Whatever format you’re using, the odds will always give you a likelihood of the event and your potential winnings. Among the 2 teams for the match-winner market, the team you can win more for is the underdog. As the risks are higher for that team, the sportsbook offers longer odds. The opposite goes for the favourite team.
Best Tournaments to Target for Overwatch Betting
To place a bet, you first need a qualifying match. Thankfully, Overwatch tournaments happen all over the world throughout the year. Most reputed bookmakers try to cover as many tournaments as possible.
So, let us list a few of the best tournaments you should target when the time comes.
- The Overwatch World Cup
- Overwatch League
- Overwatch Contenders
- Overwatch Team Story
Depending on what time of the year you’re trying to bet, the available itinerary of matches and tournaments will vary. We highly recommend checking out a few of the best bookmakers to compare the odds before deciding on one.
Wrapping Up
When you think about Overwatch the game, betting might not be the first thing to pop into your head. But after reading our take on the game, it should be apparent how awesome this game is. In our opinion, it is by far the best starting point to try your hands at Esports betting.
