In the past five years, eSports has shot to fame and become a staple of markets. With various options, online-gaming enthusiasts can now enjoy placing wagers on digital tournaments like traditional sports fans make soccer betting, for example. Despite this similarity in structure, considerable differences exist, and here’s a list of some of the most significant.
Types of bets
One of the critical distinctions between eSports and traditional sports betting is what types of wagers you can make. For example, money line wagers, straight bets, and handicap bets are all common in regular sports gambling in Europe and America. With specific video game betting markets like first map, first kill, and first blood in popular titles such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive or Battlefield, your options are practically limitless – allowing for an electrifying experience with every wager.
Different match formats
We are all accustomed to the way traditional tournaments usually operate. Generally, their competitive formats involve a league-based or tournament-based system that may last several weeks to an entire year. Excluding tennis and some other lesser-known sports, most of the usual ones don’t have a one-on-one match format – even in poker, where these events aren’t generally preferred for live competitions. Digital events and games offer bettors an incredibly unique, thrilling experience as they combine both league and tournament formats within each event. Ultimately, the outcome of most eSports competitions is determined by a single match – adding to its unpredictable nature.
Results variability
When placing bets with real money, volatility is a significant element, and most gamblers understand this and choose games wisely according to it. However, variation or variance exists in eSports, too – though slightly differently than classic sports gambling. In conventional sporting events, stories about unexpected underdogs winning are possible but extremely rare and closely unpredictable. Esports is much more unpredictable due to its chaotic nature, with events happening around the clock and underdog stories occurring frequently. Teams and players rarely succeed for an extended period, so you’re likely to encounter fresh faces often, and this can make it more difficult from a betting point of view.
Player tiredness and injury aspects
Placing bets on traditional sports, particularly those involving individual athletes such as tennis or running, necessitates considering player fatigue and form and any existing injuries – all of which can strongly influence the result. On the other hand, online eSports have much less influence from injuries or fatigue due to their smaller scale compared to traditional sports. Gamers often suffer from exhaustion due to extended gaming periods and crowded match schedules, two variables that differ widely from conventional sporting events yet are still worth considering.
Digitality vs. reality
Unlike conventional sports, eSports offers you the advantage of a digital event unaffected by external factors. You don’t have to worry about rainfall, snowfall, or storms postponing your bet and changing how players play in the tournament. Additionally, referee errors and bad calls are not questioned, as no referees are involved.
Sports and eSports betting have their distinctions. However, they also share many traits, and both activities bring a thrill and offer plenty of options when placing.