5 smart bets to watch in the Esports World Cup VALORANT

The Esports World Cup brings together the world’s elite VALORANT teams. Aside from esports fans getting a chance to root for their favourite players and squads, this event is a prime opportunity for those looking to engage with VALORANT betting. We’ll go over smart strategies to help you navigate the odds and make informed decisions throughout the competition.

Wagering on the straight-up winner is a traditional betting strategy, and in VALORANT, it frequently comes down to teams with a track record of success abroad. The usual suspects like Fnatic, Paper Rex, and DRX, who regularly make an impression on the international scene, are easy picks for this betting market.

When assessing odds, consider recent tournament performances and how these top-tier teams stack up against emerging talent. Pass on potential dark horses at your peril. A team that’s been performing under the radar in smaller competitions or has a favorable group draw could very well surprise everyone. For example, a team with a strong meta-reading ability might exploit weaker opponents in the early stages. 

Try hedging your future bets as the competition goes on. To reduce your risk if your primary pick fails, look into placing a smaller wager on a new contender. What this does is to give you flexibility and some wiggle room to adjust your bets based on changing team dynamics.

Sharper edges and more precise opportunities are available when wagering on particular map outcomes as opposed to the full match. If one side always gets off to a strong start in a best-of-five series, picking the winner of the opening map can be a high-confidence wager. This rings true for squads famous for their well-thought-out opening tactics.

The “total rounds over/under” option on particular maps is an additional fascinating choice. This is estimating whether the total number of rounds played will exceed or fall below a specific threshold. Betting on the “over” could be a wise move, for example, if two teams with equal odds are playing on a map that is known for close rounds.

If you anticipate a swift win, on the other hand, a strong team playing a weaker opponent could result in an “under” wager. You can use your in-depth map knowledge and comprehension of team compositions in these markets.

If you’re the kind of fan who lives and breathes individual player rivalries, the player performance prop bets and MVP markets offered by VALORANT betting sites are where you’ll find some real excitement and potentially big payouts. 

I suggest you consider wagering on a specific duelist to rack up the most first bloods, or a clutch initiator specializing on those game-changing assists. Keep an eye out for that standout player who specializes in aggressive entries or a sentinel who’s a master of high-impact utility.

Meanwhile, the MVP market is a gold mine for those with a nose for talent. More than predicting who gets the most kills, the MVP market is about picking the player who comes up with the clutch plays, has a good grasp of strategy, and the ability to lead their entire team. 

Trust me, the deeper you dig into individual player form and their history in those nail-biting, high-stakes matches, the more of an edge you’ll gain in this specific market.

‘Dynamic’ and ‘rewarding’ are perhaps the two words I would use to describe live betting in VALORANT, especially for those who understand the flow of the game. One crucial insight is post-pistol round betting. The team that wins the pistol round often gains a significant economic advantage, allowing them to win the next two or three rounds as well. What this does is to present you with a prime opportunity to place live quick bets.

Eco round outcomes also present unique live betting chances. When a team has limited money, they are forced to play with cheaper weapons, making them vulnerable. Predicting whether the opposing team will successfully capitalize on an eco round, or if the disadvantaged team can pull off a “force buy” upset, earns you brownie points among your bettor friends. 

Finally, overtime periods are pure skill matchups, as both teams have an equal economy. Overtime is always thrilling, no matter the sport, and OT can be fantastic for live bets, so I suggest keeping an eye out until the very last second of play.

Alright, if you’re wondering what my personal go-to move is, I always look into handicap betting on individual maps. This is where bettors start playing chess, not checkers. Instead of just picking a winner, you’re betting on a team to dominate by a specific round margin, or even to hold their own despite being the underdog. 

For example, if you’ve got a powerhouse going up against a team you expect them to steamroll, you might take them with a “-4.5 round handicap.” That means they don’t just have to win the map, they need to win it by at least five rounds. It pushes you to think about dominance, not just victory.

Why do I lean into this so much? Well, for starters, the odds are often much juicier than simply betting on a straight map winner, especially when you’re looking at heavily favored teams. But more importantly, it forces you to become a true student of the game. 

You’re not just looking at who wins; you’re dissecting team compositions, deep-diving into map statistics, and really considering which teams are known for their crushing offensive pushes versus those with surprisingly resilient defenses. 

The Esports World Cup features high-quality VALORANT matches that esports bettors like you can dig into. Consider adding these strategies to your toolkit to help you play it smart and make the most of your betting bankroll.