What is the easiest esports bet for beginners?

The match winner on a game you watch. There are two outcomes and the odds are easy to check: 1 ÷ odds for both teams should add up to a little over 100%.

How much should I bet as a beginner?

Small, fixed stakes: 1–2% of the money you set aside for betting. Set a deposit limit before your first deposit.

Can I bet on esports live?

Yes, most esports betting sites offer in-play markets that update after each round or map. See our live betting guide.

Can I make money from esports betting?

Most bettors lose over time because of the margin. Treat betting as paid entertainment with a fixed budget, not as income.

Guides · How to bet

How to bet on esports: step by step

To bet on esports you need an account at a betting site that covers the game, verified as 18 or over, and money deposited. Then you pick a match, choose a market such as the match winner, enter a stake and confirm.

The steps below take a first bet from sign-up to settlement, and show how to read the odds so you know what a bet pays and what chance the bookmaker gives it.

8 steps Odds explained 18+ only

By Liam Fletcher Updated Oct 8, 2026

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Short answer

How do I place my first esports bet?

Open an account at a licensed site that covers your game, verify your age and ID, set a deposit limit and deposit. Pick a match, start with the match winner market, enter a small stake and confirm. A $10 bet at 1.80 returns $18 if it wins.

Reading odds

What the odds on your bet slip mean

The same odds in the three formats you will see, with the chance they imply and the payout on a $100 stake.

Decimal	Fractional	American	Probability	Payout on $100	Win on $100	What it means
1.50	1/2	−200	66.7%	$150	$50	favourite
1.80	4/5	−125	55.6%	$180	$80
2.00	1/1	+100	50.0%	$200	$100	even
3.00	2/1	+200	33.3%	$300	$200	underdog

Steps

From sign-up to a settled bet

1. Check the law where you live

Online betting is licensed, restricted or banned depending on the country, and the minimum age is 18 or higher. Our country pages summarise the rules.
2. Choose a site that covers your game

Check that the site lists the games and tournaments you follow, the markets you want and payment methods you use. Our ranking compares esports betting sites on these points.
3. Register and verify

Sign up with your real details. Expect an ID check before your first withdrawal, often before the first deposit.
4. Set a deposit limit, then deposit

Set a daily, weekly or monthly limit in your account first. Then deposit an amount you can afford to lose.
5. Pick a match and a market

Start with the match winner: two teams, no draw in most esports matches. Map winner, map handicap and total maps come next once you know the formats.
6. Read the price

Decimal odds × stake is your return. 1 ÷ odds is the chance the bookmaker gives: 1.80 means about 56%. Bet when you think the real chance is higher.
7. Place the bet

Enter the stake on the bet slip, check the odds have not changed and confirm. A single bet is easier to judge than an accumulator.
8. Settle and review

Bets settle on the official result. Note every bet, so you can see what you won and lost and whether you stayed within your limit.

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