Betting on the Top Esports Games in 2024

What is Esports?

Esports, or electronic sports, is competitive video gaming at a professional level. This arena transforms gaming from a leisure activity into a competitive, skill-based sport. Professional gamers, often part of teams, compete in various video game genres, including real-time strategy, first-person shooters, and multiplayer online battle arenas. The competitions range from small local matches to international tournaments, often featuring substantial cash prizes.

Esports' journey from niche gaming communities to a worldwide phenomenon is a tale of rapid growth and expansion. What began in small online forums and local gaming contests has now exploded into global tournaments attracting millions of viewers. The rise of live streaming services like Twitch and YouTube has played a pivotal role in this growth, allowing Esports to reach a broader audience. These platforms not only stream live matches but also offer content like gamer vlogs, strategy sessions, and game reviews, significantly contributing to the Esports ecosystem.

Esports has a significant global impact, with a diverse and growing audience. It's not just popular in specific regions but has a worldwide following, with major events attracting viewers from all corners of the globe. The demographics of Esports enthusiasts are varied, spanning different ages, backgrounds, and interests, making it a unique and inclusive field.

Popular Esports Games

From strategic battles to fast-paced shooters, here are the most popular Esports games available today. Each game is a cornerstone of the Esports universe, offering unique experiences and opportunities for betting enthusiasts.

League of Legends

League of Legends (LoL) is a strategic and dynamic multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game. In LoL, two teams of five players each compete with the goal of destroying the opposing team's Nexus, located within their base. The game is known for its diverse range of champions, each with unique abilities and roles, such as Tank, Mage, or Assassin. Players must navigate a complex map, taking down turrets, battling enemy champions, and capturing objectives. Strategic thinking, team coordination, and quick reflexes are key to success in LoL. The game's depth comes from the various combinations of champions, items, and playstyles, making each match a unique experience. LoL's competitive scene, highlighted by its annual World Championship, draws millions of viewers and has a substantial impact on Esports betting markets.

Game Specs:

• 5v5 player teams
• Diverse champion roster with unique abilities
• Strategic map with turrets, minions, and neutral objectives
• Role-based gameplay (Tank, Assassin, Mage, etc.)
• In-game economy for purchasing items
• Regular updates and new champion releases
• Major annual event: World Championship

Dota 2

Dota 2 is a complex and deeply strategic MOBA game that challenges players to outmanoeuvre their opponents in a battle of wits and skill. Each match involves two teams of five players, with each player controlling a unique hero from a roster of over a hundred. These heroes have distinct abilities, strengths, and weaknesses, offering a vast array of tactical combinations and strategies. The game's map is a battlefield filled with various objectives, including towers, neutral creeps, and the coveted Roshan. Dota 2’s gameplay requires careful resource management, strategic positioning, and teamwork. Its annual tournament, The International, is a celebrated event in the Esports world, known for its enormous prize pool and the highest level of competitive play, attracting a large audience in the Esports betting community.

Game Specs:

• 5v5 team format
• Over 100 unique heroes
• Complex map with varied objectives
• Detailed in-game economy
• High emphasis on strategy and teamwork
• Premier tournament: The International

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO)

Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) is a fast-paced first-person shooter that hinges on strategic team play and precise shooting skills. It pits two teams against each other Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists with objectives like bomb planting/defusing and hostage rescue. Each match is a series of rounds where economy management (buying weapons and equipment) plays a crucial role. CS:GO is renowned for its emphasis on teamwork, map knowledge, and individual skill. Its competitive scene, particularly the Major Championships, draws huge viewership and is a significant part of the Esports betting landscape, known for its intense, strategy-driven matches.

Game Specs:

• Team-based tactical FPS
• Bomb defusal and hostage rescue missions
• Economy system for weapons and gear
• Emphasis on strategy, map knowledge, and team coordination
• Major tournaments: CS:GO Major Championships

Overwatch

Overwatch stands out for its vibrant, action-packed gameplay and a unique cast of characters, each with their own special abilities. It's a team-based first-person shooter where players select from a roster of heroes to compete in objective-based matches. The game combines elements of traditional shooters with unique abilities and roles, requiring players to adapt their strategies constantly. Overwatch's emphasis on teamwork and hero synergy makes it a dynamic esport, with the Overwatch League serving as its pinnacle competitive platform. This league has not only solidified Overwatch's status in the Esports scene but also made it a popular choice for Esports betting, offering a diverse range of strategies and outcomes.

Game Specs:

• Team-based first-person shooter
• Diverse cast of heroes with unique abilities
• Objective-based game modes
• Emphasis on team composition and adaptability
• Overwatch League as the premier competitive platform

Fortnite

Fortnite revolutionised the battle royale genre with its unique blend of survival, combat, and building mechanics. Players drop onto an island and must scavenge for resources and weapons while battling to be the last one standing. Its dynamic building system adds a layer of strategy, allowing players to construct fortifications on the fly. Fortnite's appeal lies in its accessibility, vibrant aesthetics, and frequent content updates, making it a hit among a diverse audience. The game's competitive scene, highlighted by events like the Fortnite World Cup, offers a thrilling spectacle for viewers and bettors alike, with its unpredictable nature and high skill ceiling.

Game Specs:

• Battle royale format with solo and team play
• Unique building and crafting mechanics
• Dynamic map with regular updates
• Accessible cross-platform gameplay
• Major event: Fortnite World Cup

Call of Duty

Call of Duty (CoD) offers a fast-paced first-person shooter experience, renowned for its intense and action-packed gameplay. The game's Esports scene primarily revolves around objective-based modes, where teamwork and quick reflexes are key. CoD's unique features, like the scorestreak system, add an additional strategic layer to the gameplay. The Call of Duty League showcases top teams from around the world, competing in high-energy matches that attract a large audience, including Esports bettors. CoD's blend of rapid gameplay, strategic elements, and team dynamics makes it a favourite in the competitive gaming and betting community.

Game Specs:

• First-person shooter with a focus on fast action
• Objective-based game modes
• Scorestreak system for in-game rewards
• Emphasis on quick decision-making and reflexes
• Call of Duty League for professional competition

Hearthstone

Hearthstone, Blizzard's digital collectible card game, stands out for its strategic depth and accessibility. Players construct decks from a pool of cards, each with unique effects, and battle against others in turn-based matches. The game requires tactical thinking, foresight, and adaptability. Hearthstone's competitive scene includes various tournaments, with the Hearthstone World Championship being the pinnacle event. The game's appeal in Esports betting lies in its strategic nature and the unpredictability of card play, attracting a niche but dedicated audience who appreciates the blend of strategy and chance.

Game Specs:

• Digital collectible card game
• Strategic deck-building and turn-based gameplay
• Diverse card types and hero classes
• Major competitive event: Hearthstone World Championship
• Emphasis on strategy and adaptability in matches

Basics of Esports Betting

Esports betting involves placing wagers on the outcomes of professional gaming matches or tournaments. Similar to traditional sports betting, it requires an understanding of the games, the teams, and the competitive landscape. Bettors need to analyse various factors such as team performance history, player skill levels, recent game updates, and even psychological aspects of teams and players. Bookmakers provide odds reflecting these factors, and bettors place their wagers based on their assessment and predictions.

Types of Esports Bets 

Esports betting offers several bet types, each providing a unique way to engage with the games:

• Match Betting: Placing bets on the outcome of individual matches, which is the most straightforward betting type.
• Tournament Betting: Involves betting on the overall outcome of an Esports tournament, like predicting the tournament winner.
• Live Betting: Betting during a match, where odds fluctuate in real-time based on the game's progression.
• Special Bets: Focuses on specific game aspects, such as the first team to accomplish a game-specific objective.
• Handicap Betting: A team is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage to balance the odds, adding another layer of strategy.
• Futures Betting: Long-term bets placed on the outcomes of significant events, typically made weeks or months in advance.
• Prop Bets: These are bets on specific events within the game that might not directly link to the outcome, such as betting on which player will make the first kill.

Each type of bet offers different levels of engagement, risk, and potential reward, catering to a wide range of betting preferences in the Esports community.

Ready to place your bets on Esports? mr.play is your go-to destination for all Esports betting. Sign up now and start your winning streak today with mr.play's dynamic betting platform!