Guide
Esports betting guide
New to esports betting? This guide explains the basics in plain words: how esports matches work, what odds mean, the main types of bets and how to place your first one.
18+ only. Betting should stay fun.
On this page
Esports
Games
Bets & odds
Bet types
Live betting
First bet
Glossary
Stay in control
FAQ
What is esports?
Esports are video games played competitively by professional teams and players. Teams compete in leagues and tournaments, online or in arenas, and the biggest events are watched by millions of fans.
A match is usually played as a series of games, called maps. The format tells you how many maps a team needs to win the match.
Bo1
Best of one: a single map decides the match.
Bo3
Best of three: the first team to win two maps wins the match.
Bo5
Best of five: the first team to win three maps wins. Usually kept for playoffs and finals.
The format matters when you bet: it sets how many maps can be played, and so which bets make sense for that match.
Games you can bet on
Each game has its own rules, but they all come down to two sides trying to win maps. The main ones:
League of Legends
Two teams of five fight on one map. A game is won by destroying the other team’s Nexus.
See matches →
Counter-Strike 2
Two teams of five take turns attacking and defending. The first team to win 13 rounds wins the map, with overtime at 12-12.
See matches →
Dota 2
Two teams of five, each defending its base. A game is won by destroying the other team’s Ancient.
See matches →
Valorant
A tactical shooter, five against five. As in Counter-Strike, a map is played to 13 rounds.
See matches →
See all games →
What is a bet?
A bet is a prediction with money on it. You choose an outcome, for example a team to win the match, and a stake: the amount you bet.
Each outcome has odds. On SkillBet they are shown as decimals: multiply your stake by the odds to get what a winning bet pays back, stake included. If the bet loses, you lose your stake.
Example
You bet £10 on a team at odds of 2.50.
If the team wins, you get £25 back: your £10 stake plus £15 profit.
If the team loses, you lose the £10.
What odds tell you
Odds also show how likely an outcome is judged to be: divide 1 by the odds. Odds of 2.50 mean 1 ÷ 2.50 = 40%. The lower the odds, the more likely the outcome is judged to be, and the less it pays.
Odds include the bookmaker’s margin. Add up the chances of both teams and you get a little over 100%: at 1.80 and 2.00, that is 55.6% + 50% = 105.6%. The extra 5.6% is the margin. That is why, over time, betting costs money: see it as the price of entertainment, never as a way to earn.
Payout calculator
Stake (£)
Odds
Enter a stake and odds to see what a winning bet pays.
Total return
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Profit
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Implied chance
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Main types of bets
These are the bets you will meet most often. Each match page lists the markets open on that match.
Match winner
Which team wins the match.
Example: Team A to win the Bo3.
Map winner
Which team wins one given map.
Example: Team B to win map 2.
Handicap
A head start or a deficit applied to a team’s score in maps. The bet is settled on the score once the handicap is applied.
Example: Team A −1.5 maps wins only if Team A wins the Bo3 2-0.
Totals (over / under)
Whether a number ends up above or below a line: maps played, rounds, kills…
Example: Over 2.5 maps in a Bo3 wins if the match goes to a third map.
Specials
Events inside a map, such as the team that draws first blood (the first kill).
Example: Team B to draw first blood on map 1.
Before the match or live
You can bet before a match starts (pre-match) or while it is being played (live, also called in-play).
Live odds change quickly with the action. If the odds move before your bet is placed, the bet slip shows the new odds and nothing is placed until you tap Accept new odds.
Streams and live scores can run a few seconds behind the real action, and a bet can be refused while the odds are being updated. Take your time: a live bet never needs to be rushed.
Placing your first bet
1
Create your account
You must be 18 or over. When you sign up, you can also set a deposit limit.
Create an account →
2
Verify your identity
We check your identity before your first bet, as UK rules require. Until then, the bet slip shows Verify identity to bet.
3
Deposit
Add money from the Deposit button. Every deposit screen links to your limits.
4
Pick a match and an outcome
Open a game or a match, then tap the odds of the outcome you want. It goes into your bet slip.
Browse games →
5
Enter your stake
Type the amount you want to bet: the stake is never filled in for you. The slip shows what the bet would pay back.
6
Place your bet
Check your selection and stake, then tap Place bet. Once placed, a bet cannot be cancelled.
7
Glossary
Bo1, Bo3, Bo5
Best of one, three or five: a team needs 1, 2 or 3 maps to win the match.
Map
One game within a match.
Market
A question you can bet on, such as Match winner, with its possible outcomes.
Odds
The price of an outcome. Stake × odds = what a winning bet pays back.
Stake
The amount you bet.
Return
What a winning bet pays back: your stake plus your profit.
Handicap
A head start or deficit applied to a team’s score before the bet is settled.
Over / under
A bet on whether a total ends up above or below a line, such as 2.5 maps.
Live (in-play)
A bet placed while the match is being played.
Settled
A bet whose result is known: won or lost.
First blood
The first kill of a map.
Staying in control
Betting is entertainment, not a way to make money. Only bet what you can afford to lose, and never try to win back what you have lost.
Our safer gambling tools are there whenever you need them:
Deposit limits
Cap what you can deposit per day, week or month.
Reality check
A regular reminder of how long you have been playing and where you stand.
Time-out
A break from 24 hours to 6 weeks, or until a date you choose: no sign-in, no bets, no deposits.
Self-exclusion
Close your account for at least 6 months.
Open safer gambling tools →
Free, confidential support
Frequently asked questions
Is esports betting legal in the UK?
Yes, for adults aged 18 or over, with an operator licensed by the Gambling Commission.
Do I need to verify my identity?
Yes. UK rules require us to check your name, address and date of birth before you place a bet.
Who decides the result of a bet?
Bets are settled on the official result announced by the tournament organiser.
Why did my odds change?
Odds follow the match and the latest information, especially live. If they change before your bet is placed, we show you the new odds and you decide whether to accept them.
Can I cancel a bet?
No. Once a bet is placed it cannot be cancelled, so check your selection and stake before you tap Place bet.
Can I watch the matches?
Many matches are streamed. When a stream is available, you can watch it on the match page.
How do I set a limit or take a break?
Open Safer Gambling from the footer or your profile: you can set deposit limits, a reality check, a time-out or a self-exclusion.