If we had to pick one area of the leisure and betting industry that has really taken off in recent years, it would undoubtedly be eSports. Few people could have imagined just a few short years ago, that the world of videogames would make the jump to a professional discipline. Not least because it was mostly associated with lazy fun and, let’s be honest, was considered nerdy.

For a while now, though, eSports have been enjoying increased levels of recognition and visibility – and crucially, they’re here to stay and to evolve. It may take time, but there’s no going back now.

What are eSports?

At the end of the day, we all know what we’re talking about when we say eSports. They’re video game tournaments which pit teams (LOL, Dota2, Counter Strike…) or individuals (FIFA, Street Fighter V…) against one another in competitions rapidly gaining a loyal following. The sector is moving beyond simply the participants and now attracts millions of fans throughout the world, boasting increasing viewing figures across the media, both in specialist and general sports outlets.

The growth of the industry has been so significant that it is now a permanent fixture for bookmakers, who have seen the numbers of clients requesting eSports markets rocket in recent times.

What to consider when betting on eSports

Just like in any other area, if we’re going to start betting on eSports, we should first make sure we’ve got at least a vague idea of what we’re getting ourselves into. Just as it wouldn’t be advisable for someone who is clueless about basketball to bet on the NBA or the Euroleague, it’s not a great move to head blind into these new eSports markets:

Know your environment:

It’s important to be aware of the different eSports we are able to bet on. We’re not talking about becoming experts or studying every game in minute detail, but we should make sure we watch a few rounds to get a basic understanding of what we’re playing, the dynamics, basic rules, etc. It’s about getting to grips with the game and deciding which speciality grabs your attention as a potential winner.

Information is power:

As eSports continues to gain traction in the sporting world, it’s starting to command increased media attention, especially online. By heading to specialist forums, we can give ourselves a significant advantage. Gathering information is the key to good results, so following certain YouTubers or receiving notifications from forums in order to stay up to date with the latest news and results of the teams we’re betting on can be the difference between success or failure.

Don’t just be a spectator:

Another sound piece of advice is to get involved in the game. Watching eSports games is now within everyone’s reach. Live streaming and delayed broadcasts are easy to find online, but it’s also a great idea to take to the battle ground and immerse ourselves in whichever eSports universe we’re looking to bet on. You don’t need to be a professional, or even any good; it’s about trying it out to gain a better insight into the game and its strategies – this might just help us make the right call when the time comes to make a big bet.

Don’t run before you can walk:

The range of eSports markets is growing all the time. Bookmakers have caught on to the fact it’s a booming sector and the eSports universe is undoubtedly a winning horse. That has seen them appeal to an increasingly knowledgeable fan base with a wide variety of betting possibilities. Remember, though, take it slowly. For those of us just starting out, the smart money sticks to Match Winner markets; there will be plenty of opportunity to move into other areas like Handicap, Map Winner, etc. all in good time.