How to Bet on Dota 2: the Game’s Secrets

Competitive video gaming dates back further than you’d think, to the 1970s and 1980s, but the development of the internet changed the nature of gaming. Now it was possible to play against other gamers all over the world, and over the last 20 years, Esports has become a huge business.

There are many games played professionally, but three stand above the rest: Dota 2, League of Legends and CS:GO. Of these, Dota 2 is arguably the most famous. Its biggest event, The International, is the most valuable prize in Esports and every year millions of Esports fans watch the many Dota 2 tournaments. Dota 2 has also proven to be popular with betting fans, and bettors claiming their Quinnbet new customer offer are as likely to be betting on Dota 2 as any other sport.

What is Dota 2?

Dota 2 is a type of game known as a Multiplayer Online Battle Arena (MOBA). This type of game is a mix of real-time strategy and role-playing and in the case of Dota 2, is played by two teams of five players each. Each team has a base and a structure known as an Ancient to defend.

The game map is made up of three paths or lanes. Each team’s base automatically sends out AI monsters, known as ‘creeps’ that attack the opposing team’s players and structures. The aim of the game is to destroy the opposing team’s Ancient before they destroy yours.

Players and Heroes

Each player on a Dota 2 team will control one hero from a selection of more than 100. Each of these heroes has special abilities and will level up throughout a match. The hero that a player chooses will be based on that player’s role on the team. The main five roles are:

• Carrier – the hero expected to level up the most and therefore ultimately win the game
• Mid-Laner – focuses on getting kills in the lanes
• Off-Lane – targets the opposing team’s carrier
• Roaming Support – goes wherever is necessary depending on how the match is developing
• Hard Support – provides cover and support to the carrier

How Long is a Dota Game?

The typical Dota 2 game will last between 30 minutes and an hour and in tournaments, matches are usually on a Best of Three or Best of Five basis. Although there are variations, the most common format involves the captain of each team picking the hero for each of the players on their team.

Dota 2 Tournaments

Dota 2 tournaments come in all shapes and sizes, but usually feature some combination of a round-robin stage, followed by a knock-out phase, leading to a Grand Final.

The biggest Dota 2 event, which is also the biggest in the Esports world, is The International. The prize fund for the 2021 International was more than $40 million and it attracted a huge audience. But the sport is followed throughout the year. Other major Dota 2 events include:

• Dota 2 Majors
• Regional Leagues
• Dota 2 Minor Championships

Pre-Match Betting on Dota 2

Like any other sport, it is possible to wager on Dota 2. Most traditional bookmakers now offer extensive Esports sections, and there are also Esports-dedicated betting sites that are designed to provide everything that an Esports betting fan would need from streaming to tips and interviews.

The range of markets available will vary according to how in-depth the sportsbook’s Esports coverage is and the profile of the relevant tournament. For instance, there could be 100 or more markets for a match during the International or one of the Majors.

Typical markets include:

• Tournament Winner – betting on the outcome of a whole tournament
• Match Winner – betting on the outcome of a match
• Totals – betting on the number of games, kills, assists or points in a match
• Prop Bets – including First Blood, Most Structures Destroyed, Top Player

In-Play Betting on Dota 2

Another way to bet on Dota 2 is to take a look at the in-play markets. Live betting is popular with Esports fans and is a fast-moving, dynamic way to bet on your favourite teams and tournaments.

The same wide range of Dota 2 markets that you see for pre-game betting is available with the in-play betting section, but the experience of betting on these markets can be very different. For instance, the market on a match or tournament winner will be updated continuously as a game proceeds, so you have to be able to respond quickly to get the best odds. There are also a number of short-term in-play markets on which team will draw first blood or destroy a tower.

Essential to in-play betting is live streaming. Fortunately, most Esports bookmakers offer a full streaming service to support their live markets, enabling bettors to follow the action and weigh up the betting markets without having to switch to different sites.

How to Bet on Dota 2

Making a success of your betting on Dota 2 is in many ways the same as with any sport, and the pitfalls are also the same. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your Dota 2 betting.

Manage Your Expectations

As with all forms of gambling, betting on Dota 2 can be addictive. Given this, and the fact that it is extremely difficult to make a long-term profit through betting, it is important to be realistic about your expectations. For most people betting on Dota 2 should be a leisure activity. Never bet with money you cannot afford to lose and never consider Dota 2 betting to be a solution to financial problems.

Do Your Homework

There is no substitute for taking the time to familiarise yourself with the teams and players in the Dota 2 world. Get to know their strengths and weaknesses, their best roles and their career arcs. Are they likely to improve or are they veterans showing some decline? And remember when looking at stats such as Kills, Assists, Gold Per Minute and others, that some roles will naturally generate higher totals than others, so always compare like with like when assessing players.

Watch the Games

It is vital that you watch as many games as you can. This is the best way to get to know the teams and how they operate. It will also deepen your understanding of the game: even if you are a lifelong Dota 2 fan, there is always more to learn and more to appreciate.