ESports betting -CS:GO, DOTA 2, LOL, Valorant - discussion thread

[rdbase]

Stage 1 of the Major tournament will begin in one week. I can say that I’ve spotted some promising matches in the opening rounds. I expect Gamerlegion to sweep this stage 3-0. Another team is likely to be either B8 or Betboom—I’m not entirely sure. As for the 0-3 teams, it could be Thunder Downunder, Lynn Vision, or Sharks. Anything can happen in Stage 1, so it’s hard for me to predict who will advance comfortably here.

From the teams you mentioned I am assuming this would be the event in Cologne for the Intel Extreme Masters.
This seems to be the only major in stage 1 after checking a few of the other tournaments currently ongoing.
IEM Cologne stage 1 begins next week on June 2nd and runs through June 5th then they move to the next stage.
Some great looking names participating in this one so expect some fireworks as the competition should be fierce.
GamerLegion are the ones who could make a run through all the other teams I would have to agree.

[arallmuus]

Direct Invites
With less than three months until we raise the curtains on the big show, we’re excited to extend these seven teams invitations to Shanghai, China to compete in The International 2026:

-snip
Tundra Esports

I guess this means Tundra will be postponing their decision to disband the team since they get the direct invitation to TI? its literally promotion for them and on the same time, revenue is atleast guaranteed

Some very questionable decisions from Valve.

What were the invitations based on exactly? iirc it was based on EPT points right?

If its based on the points then both Parivision and Team Spirit should be on the list since they are #2 and #6 while Team Liquid and Betboom should be dropped of the list.

Considering Team Liquid's fanbase is on a whole another level compared to the other teams, its kinda reasonable to some extent but still including Betboom but not Parivision is just so weird

[passwordnow]

Direct Invites
With less than three months until we raise the curtains on the big show, we’re excited to extend these seven teams invitations to Shanghai, China to compete in The International 2026:

-snip
Tundra Esports

I guess this means Tundra will be postponing their decision to disband the team since they get the direct invitation to TI? its literally promotion for them and on the same time, revenue is atleast guaranteed

Probably, so the rumor about them getting out of dota 2 scene and transferring their roster into 1win might have been delayed because of this update from Valve.

Some very questionable decisions from Valve.

Only 1 slot for South America, 1 slot for North America, when there's only 1 competitive team. They merged Eastern and Western Europe, why not do the same for Americas?

This has got a point, and that's why kaffs has released a statement that they'll have to battle for 1 slot in the SA with Playtime and ex-heroic now LGD gaming. But I think it's still possible for them to move to NA if they wish since the only good team there is GamerLegion.

SEA qualifier is gonna be an absolute bloodbath, REKONIX, OG, GLYPH, Execration, Nemesis, and 23savage+Nikko stack. Damn!

True, I think that if OG just stayed on EU region, they've got better chance. But since they're SEA based now, a lot of good teams in SEA to be honest every time there's a qualifier. But may the best team wins. This has been planned by OG all along but they've probably surprised that the region is only getting one slot.

And China qualifier having 2 slots, when XG is already invited.. well, since TI is gonna be in China, it seems they want 3 teams representing the region, but from a fairness standpoint, doesn't make sense.

It's also to attract chinese fans since it's one of Valve's most customers and of course, as a courtesy to the host country.

Parivision not getting a direct invite is very questionable. Spirit is understandable. Europe Qualifier is another bloodbath, but it has 4 slots at least. Both should easily qualify.

Yes, Pari and Team Spirit likely to get the two slots and the rest other two will be fight over by the other good teams. I hope that there will be another new team will take one of it. As for Parivsion, I think it's with the EPT Points and the roster change they've made but it is only with DM > SSS > Noticed. I'm not sure about the calculation but that probably was the main factor.

[execijutiere]

Stage 1 of the Major tournament will begin in one week. I can say that I’ve spotted some promising matches in the opening rounds. I expect Gamerlegion to sweep this stage 3-0. Another team is likely to be either B8 or Betboom—I’m not entirely sure. As for the 0-3 teams, it could be Thunder Downunder, Lynn Vision, or Sharks. Anything can happen in Stage 1, so it’s hard for me to predict who will advance comfortably here.

From the teams you mentioned I am assuming this would be the event in Cologne for the Intel Extreme Masters.
This seems to be the only major in stage 1 after checking a few of the other tournaments currently ongoing.
IEM Cologne stage 1 begins next week on June 2nd and runs through June 5th then they move to the next stage.
Some great looking names participating in this one so expect some fireworks as the competition should be fierce.
GamerLegion are the ones who could make a run through all the other teams I would have to agree.

Yes, I’m talking about the Major tournament. There are some really strong teams, and we might see Stage 1 turn out to be exciting—something we haven’t seen in a long time at a Major tournament. As I mentioned, GamerLegion is the clear favorite among the teams. They have the potential to advance to Stage 2 without losing a single match. It’s hard to predict the other team because the power balance between the teams seems even to me. Everyone has the potential to go 3-0.

[passwordnow]

We are on the day 2 of the Blast Slam VII for the group stage. I think that it's surprising to see XG at the bottom for their results but that won't bother them as they get a direct invite to TI. Two days left before this group stage ends and there will be a last chance to play off qualifiers.

[execijutiere]

There aren’t many matches to watch right now because everyone’s probably waiting for the Major tournament
I got the chance to watch our representative, Eternal Fire, play in the CCT 2026 Europe tournament. Neither team managed to win their chosen maps, so the match went to a decider map. The match on Overpass, the decider map, was truly amazing and incredibly close. Eternal Fire managed to win the match 2-1 by defeating Fnatic 22-20 in overtime. With this victory, Eternal Fire eliminated Fnatic and will now face Gentle Mates.

[rdbase]

There aren’t many matches to watch right now because everyone’s probably waiting for the Major tournament
I got the chance to watch our representative, Eternal Fire, play in the CCT 2026 Europe tournament. Neither team managed to win their chosen maps, so the match went to a decider map. The match on Overpass, the decider map, was truly amazing and incredibly close. Eternal Fire managed to win the match 2-1 by defeating Fnatic 22-20 in overtime. With this victory, Eternal Fire eliminated Fnatic and will now face Gentle Mates.

There are several other smaller tournament currently being played such as the CCT in Europe you just mentioned.
Haven't heard about Eternal Fire in awhile and didn't they change their name to Aurora?
This can't be the same team that is playing on the professional circuit for tier 1 counterstrike is it?

@passwordnow
About Xtreme Gaming being on the bottom of that table, in the last game I seen them play their performance has diminished as a team as a whole so it doesn't surprise me where they sit on there.

[T1HGO]

Probably, so the rumor about them getting out of dota 2 scene and transferring their roster into 1win might have been delayed because of this update from Valve.

It's pretty much confirmed now. Probably will be announced right after or during Blast Slam break.

This has got a point, and that's why kaffs has released a statement that they'll have to battle for 1 slot in the SA with Playtime and ex-heroic now LGD gaming. But I think it's still possible for them to move to NA if they wish since the only good team there is GamerLegion.

They can't change now. Invites were already issued, so no swapping anymore. I can see Arteezy making a stack do challenge GamerLegion on NA qualifier tho.

True, I think that if OG just stayed on EU region, they've got better chance. But since they're SEA based now, a lot of good teams in SEA to be honest every time there's a qualifier. But may the best team wins. This has been planned by OG all along but they've probably surprised that the region is only getting one slot.

Well, by good teams you probably mean competitive within the region, because let's be honest, SEA is by far the weakest region in Dota.

It's also to attract chinese fans since it's one of Valve's most customers and of course, as a courtesy to the host country.

I think it's mainly because it's the host country. The third chinese team won't be able to compete anyway. There is a huge gap between the top1/2 to the rest in China. Honorary guest almost.

Yes, Pari and Team Spirit likely to get the two slots and the rest other two will be fight over by the other good teams. I hope that there will be another new team will take one of it. As for Parivsion, I think it's with the EPT Points and the roster change they've made but it is only with DM > SSS > Noticed. I'm not sure about the calculation but that probably was the main factor.

EPT has nothing to do with TI invites. While i'm not 100% sure if what i am saying, i think the TI invites are based on teams that won Tier 1 Tournaments. It was like that last year and this year it's pretty similar.
Falcons - Defending Champion
BetBoom - PGL Wallachia 8 Winner
Aurora - This is where i am extremely confused. Aurora didn't win any tournament this year, while Parivision and MOUZ, won a tier 1 tournament this season. Which makes me believe that roster changes might have influence.
Liquid - Blast Slam 6 winner
Tundra - ESL One Birmingham + Dreamleague 28 + Blast Slam 4 and 5 Winner
Xtreme Gaming - Won nothing. But they are the hope of China. Understandable.
Yandex - PGL Wallachia 7 + Dreamleague 27 winner

So, 2 teams that won a tier 1 even this season didn't get an invite. MOUZ and Parivision. Aurora getting an invite instead of one of those teams, especially Parivision is kinda sus.

If it was based on EPT leaderboard, Parivision is 2nd and Spirit is 6th. They should have gotten an invite.

[arallmuus]

About Xtreme Gaming being on the bottom of that table, in the last game I seen them play their performance has diminished as a team as a whole so it doesn't surprise me where they sit on there.

Considering that they had issue on the last tournament, its kinda shocking that they are still together as a team. Ame should be kicked out of that team for sure

You know whats more shocking, Tundra actually at the bottom of the group stage. 3 games to go for Tundra, they can still narrowly save their team but they need to atleast win 2 out 3 remaining games while the other teams lost so its going to be pretty tight or they could go for 3 out 3 which is gonna be pretty hard especially against Betboom

[ralle14]

Aurora - This is where i am extremely confused. Aurora didn't win any tournament this year, while Parivision and MOUZ, won a tier 1 tournament this season. Which makes me believe that roster changes might have influence.

I agree, Mouz got that tier one win with the help of Kaori, who's now playing for Aurora. While Aurora tends to fall short in tournament wins, they've had a bunch of grand final appearances, and that probably takes priority over tier two tournament wins. I also assume the invites were already decided earlier, and Parivision's DreamLeague win might've been overlooked since they only got it a few days ago.

With those two not making it in via direct invite, the EU qualifiers will probably be deadly unless some newly formed team takes them out.

[passwordnow]

EPT has nothing to do with TI invites. While i'm not 100% sure if what i am saying, i think the TI invites are based on teams that won Tier 1 Tournaments. It was like that last year and this year it's pretty similar.
Falcons - Defending Champion
BetBoom - PGL Wallachia 8 Winner
Aurora - This is where i am extremely confused. Aurora didn't win any tournament this year, while Parivision and MOUZ, won a tier 1 tournament this season. Which makes me believe that roster changes might have influence.
Liquid - Blast Slam 6 winner
Tundra - ESL One Birmingham + Dreamleague 28 + Blast Slam 4 and 5 Winner
Xtreme Gaming - Won nothing. But they are the hope of China. Understandable.
Yandex - PGL Wallachia 7 + Dreamleague 27 winner

So, 2 teams that won a tier 1 even this season didn't get an invite. MOUZ and Parivision. Aurora getting an invite instead of one of those teams, especially Parivision is kinda sus.

If it was based on EPT leaderboard, Parivision is 2nd and Spirit is 6th. They should have gotten an invite.

They've got a lesser in points because there have been changes in the roster. I'm not sure as well on why it had to be like that. I've read that noone said something about it that they were expecting they're not going to get a direct invite. And the last one won't even matter to that invite anymore. It's sad but we're confident that they're going to make it easy on having 4 slots in their region for the qualifier. As the Blast SLam moves, they're now in the last chance qualifier. Here's the current bracketing, LGD is the top on the group stage.

[T1HGO]

EPT has nothing to do with TI invites. While i'm not 100% sure if what i am saying, i think the TI invites are based on teams that won Tier 1 Tournaments. It was like that last year and this year it's pretty similar.
Falcons - Defending Champion
BetBoom - PGL Wallachia 8 Winner
Aurora - This is where i am extremely confused. Aurora didn't win any tournament this year, while Parivision and MOUZ, won a tier 1 tournament this season. Which makes me believe that roster changes might have influence.
Liquid - Blast Slam 6 winner
Tundra - ESL One Birmingham + Dreamleague 28 + Blast Slam 4 and 5 Winner
Xtreme Gaming - Won nothing. But they are the hope of China. Understandable.
Yandex - PGL Wallachia 7 + Dreamleague 27 winner

So, 2 teams that won a tier 1 even this season didn't get an invite. MOUZ and Parivision. Aurora getting an invite instead of one of those teams, especially Parivision is kinda sus.

If it was based on EPT leaderboard, Parivision is 2nd and Spirit is 6th. They should have gotten an invite.

They've got a lesser in points because there have been changes in the roster. I'm not sure as well on why it had to be like that. I've read that noone said something about it that they were expecting they're not going to get a direct invite. And the last one won't even matter to that invite anymore. It's sad but we're confident that they're going to make it easy on having 4 slots in their region for the qualifier. As the Blast SLam moves, they're now in the last chance qualifier. Here's the current bracketing, LGD is the top on the group stage.

Small correction, Parivision are not in last chance qualifier. They went directly to upper bracket playoffs. But yeah, LGD largely overperformed. Cool group stage tho. I won't be surprised to see them bomb out of the tournament with 2 straight losses.

Every team seems shaky right now. I can't really put my finger on who really played the best in this group stage. But from what i've seen so far, i'm gonna say it's gonna be between Betboom, Parivision and Yandex to take the whole tournament.

[passwordnow]

Small correction, Parivision are not in last chance qualifier. They went directly to upper bracket playoffs. But yeah, LGD largely overperformed. Cool group stage tho. I won't be surprised to see them bomb out of the tournament with 2 straight losses.

I thought we were talking about Parivision not getting a direct invite.

Every team seems shaky right now. I can't really put my finger on who really played the best in this group stage. But from what i've seen so far, i'm gonna say it's gonna be between Betboom, Parivision and Yandex to take the whole tournament.

And the first team to get out of this lcq is OG. They've been eliminated by Team Spirit twice, it does looked that things have been just so quick and easy for their games. This is going to be a long playoffs though once the games are done today.

[ralle14]

And the first team to get out of this lcq is OG. They've been eliminated by Team Spirit twice, it does looked that things have been just so quick and easy for their games. This is going to be a long playoffs though once the games are done today.

Expected from OG, but at least they did what they could despite the struggles with Toronto. Their main problem is still on the offlane side, and I don't know how they'll fix it before the TI qualifiers.

On the other LCQ match, Aurora might edge out Tundra in the final game, and they have a good chance of grabbing one of the last two spots, given they already beat Liquid in the previous meeting.

[passwordnow]

And the first team to get out of this lcq is OG. They've been eliminated by Team Spirit twice, it does looked that things have been just so quick and easy for their games. This is going to be a long playoffs though once the games are done today.

Expected from OG, but at least they did what they could despite the struggles with Toronto. Their main problem is still on the offlane side, and I don't know how they'll fix it before the TI qualifiers.

I think their problem with torontotokyo is that his offlane farms a lot even if he should be the play maker but that's sometimes effective when times at need. I hope that they'll improve more.

On the other LCQ match, Aurora might edge out Tundra in the final game, and they have a good chance of grabbing one of the last two spots, given they already beat Liquid in the previous meeting.

And they just did grabbed the last slot, they beat Team Liquid twice.

[ralle14]

I think their problem with torontotokyo is that his offlane farms a lot even if he should be the play maker but that's sometimes effective when times at need. I hope that they'll improve more.

True, his offlane playstyle is similar to 33 which soaks up a lot of resources, and it's not meshing with OG since they always like to play with the tempo just like Team Liquid. They need to compromise like that Beastmaster draft against Tundra that worked flawlessly.

And they just did grabbed the last slot, they beat Team Liquid twice.

That series was all about the gap in the offlane duo, but at the same time, Liquid is having a rough one with Boxi always trying to run it down.

Looking at the playoff matchups, I hope LGD keeps improving because they're the only team without a tier one trophy, while the others already secured it in previous events.

[rohang]

CS major is starting in about a day,
Its probably the most bet on esports event, with how many matches it has

First two days of each stage are absolutely packed and most fun. Earlier it used to be Dota international for me but now it has lost its prestige and just doesnt feel the same

Almost every book should have good offers for the major, vitality are 1.65 to win it all which is decent odds , probably cuz they havent been looking as good recently.

Obviously betting on their series in playoffs should pay more then thay easily as outrights in esports are usually a very bad idea lol

[passwordnow]

I think their problem with torontotokyo is that his offlane farms a lot even if he should be the play maker but that's sometimes effective when times at need. I hope that they'll improve more.

True, his offlane playstyle is similar to 33 which soaks up a lot of resources, and it's not meshing with OG since they always like to play with the tempo just like Team Liquid. They need to compromise like that Beastmaster draft against Tundra that worked flawlessly.

I agree, they can rework that strategy and plan a lot. Since they have a coach, they'll figure that out. I miss this pre-roster before tokyo got in because they usually pick darkseer.

And they just did grabbed the last slot, they beat Team Liquid twice.

That series was all about the gap in the offlane duo, but at the same time, Liquid is having a rough one with Boxi always trying to run it down.

Looking at the playoff matchups, I hope LGD keeps improving because they're the only team without a tier one trophy, while the others already secured it in previous events.

I also hope that LGD will get a good tier 1 championship since they have been so good in each tournament but just lacks an appearance in the finals.

[passwordnow]

The news has finally arrived for Tundra Esports that they're now releasing their dota 2 roster and moving it to 1win. So does this means that 1win automatically qualifies to TI as they've just changed organization and not the roster, right?

[ralle14]

The news has finally arrived for Tundra Esports that they're now releasing their dota 2 roster and moving it to 1win. So does this means that 1win automatically qualifies to TI as they've just changed organization and not the roster, right?

Their spot for both TI and EWC should carry over, assuming Tundra helped them with the transition, but I still think they have to rename their team, similar to how BetBoom renamed to BoomBoys because of Valve's rules regarding betting sponsors.

Almost every book should have good offers for the major, vitality are 1.65 to win it all which is decent odds , probably cuz they havent been looking as good recently.

Obviously betting on their series in playoffs should pay more then thay easily as outrights in esports are usually a very bad idea lol

It's not a bad option for those who'd rather not sweat every single series, but I agree those odds can be sniped through live betting if Vitality keeps their subpar form during the Swiss stage.

I would only grab those outrights if there's something extra included, like a promotion or bonus.