Esports betting terminology: the terms that change your bet

Implied probability

The chance a price stands for: 1 ÷ decimal odds. So what: compare it with your own estimate.

Margin

What the bookmaker keeps: 1 − 1 ÷ sum of implied chances. So what: lower is better for you.

Match winner (moneyline)

Bet on who wins the match or series. So what: simplest market, usually the lowest margin.

Map winner

Bet on who wins one map of a series. So what: map picks make some maps far more one-sided.

Map handicap

A team starts with a map deficit or lead, e.g. −1.5 or +1.5 maps. So what: −1.5 in a BO3 means a 2–0 win.

Total maps

Over or under a number of maps, e.g. 2.5 in a BO3. So what: a bet on how close the series is.

Correct score

The exact series result, e.g. 2–1. So what: longer odds, higher margin.

Outright

Bet on the tournament winner. So what: money is tied up until the final.

Prop

A bet on an event inside a match, e.g. first blood or most kills. So what: harder to price; margins are usually higher.

Cash out

Settle a bet early for an amount the site offers. So what: the offer includes a margin.

Void

A cancelled bet; the stake is returned. So what: forfeits and remakes are settled per each site's rules.

BO1, BO3, BO5

Best of one, three or five maps or games. So what: longer series favour the stronger team.

Map veto (pick/ban)

Teams ban and pick maps before a series. So what: each team usually plays its best map once.

Bracket, group stage, playoffs

Tournament stages; groups often use BO1 or BO3, playoffs BO3 or BO5. So what: upsets are likelier in short formats.

Double elimination

A team is out after two series losses (upper and lower bracket). So what: a loss early is not the end of an outright bet.

Stand-in

A temporary player replacing a regular. So what: can weaken a team more than the odds show.

Patch / meta

A game update and the strategies that work best after it. So what: form before a big patch can mislead.

Tier 1, tier 2

Levels of competition, from top international events down. So what: lower tiers have less data and lower stake limits.

Pistol round (CS2, Valorant)

The first round of each half, played with pistols only. So what: often decides the next rounds' economy; a common prop.

Eco round

A round where a team saves money and buys little. So what: the team with the full buy is a strong favourite that round.

Overtime

Extra rounds when a CS2 or Valorant map is tied at the end of regulation. So what: decides over/under on total rounds.

First blood

The first kill of a map or game. So what: a quick prop with a near 50/50 price between equal teams.

Roshan / Baron / Dragon

Neutral objectives in Dota 2 and League of Legends that give a team buffs. So what: markets on the first objective follow early-game strength.

KDA

Kills, deaths and assists, a player's combat record. So what: used in player props and fantasy scoring.

Carry / support

Roles in MOBAs: the main damage dealer and the player who helps the team. So what: player kill props usually focus on carries.

Snowball

An early lead that grows into a win. So what: live odds react sharply to early leads in MOBAs.

Clutch

A round won by one player against several opponents. So what: swings live odds, but rarely repeats reliably.

Skins

Cosmetic in-game items with a market value. So what: skin betting is gambling, often unlicensed.

Line shopping

Comparing prices across sites for the same bet. So what: the easiest way to lower your cost.

Bankroll

The money you set aside for betting. So what: stake a small fixed share of it per bet.

Terminology FAQ