What is Dota 2
One of the best aspects of Dota 2 is its eye-catching map designs, a large selection of heroes, unique skins and collectibles, regularly updated features, high prize pools, etc. Today, the game is offered on almost every major esports betting sites and can be bet on a wide variety of betting types.
How Dota 2 is Played
A typical Dota 2 match is played in 5×5 format, which means 10 players engage in a head to head combat divided into two teams. Each team has its own base from where the players can send out AI-controlled “Creeps” (small combat units) to attack the opposing team’s heroes and try to destroy their towers. The team that succeeds in destroying the opposition’s “Ancient” (central monument) is declared the winner.
In addition to the combat, each player has to apply different strategies like selecting the right hero among 100+ options available, utilising the hero’s special skills and abilities, earning new skills through the gameplay, etc. Chosen heroes can level up and develop unique skills over time. As for the players, they can gain play money and experience points by defeating other players and use the money to increase the hero’s stats.
In contrast to the large number, Dota 2 heroes are divided into a few categories that are determined by their roles in the game. Here’s how they work:
Carries consist of small combat heroes who are relatively weak at the beginning of the match, but gradually grows stronger by killing enemies and destroying towers. Carries become leaders by the end of the match and help their teams earn the victory.
Initiators are good at team fighting when players engage in single combats.
Supports are known for using their special abilities to help other players during the battle.
Lane supports kill enemy units and players at the beginning of the matches, helping Carries of their own team.
Durables have a greater damage level than other heroes.
Disablers can prevent the opponent’s heroes’ actions for a certain period of time.
Nukers are known for their damage-healing skills that help them withstand high damages.
Escapes can move through challenging areas with their unique abilities.
Pushers move forward to take control of the map by destroying enemy towers.
How We Rate the Best Esports Betting Apps
Both experts and rookie punters now have tons of options when it comes to betting on Dota 2 in online sportsbooks. Almost every sports betting site offering esports markets feature Dota 2 in its gaming catalogue. Therefore, it is not much of a stretch to claim that many illegal and insecure betting sites are taking advantage of the popularity as well.
A great way to distinguish between a reliable Dota 2 betting sites and an illegal one is to check certain factors before placing a wager with real money. If you are not up for such a tedious research process, you are in the right place as our experts have already done that for you.
Before jumping to conclusions, take a thorough look at the following factors that help us determine the best Dota 2 betting sites for you.
Markets – Dota 2 is one of the most demanding esports events with matches taking place every week. The best Dota 2 sportsbooks cover both major championships and regional competitions on a regular basis.
Odds – Odds are an important factor to consider while betting with real money. Our rankings prioritise Dota 2 betting sites that offer great odds on the majority of their offered markets.
License and Safety Measurements – Having a proper license and ensuring safety measurements are key factors for authentic and safe online sportsbooks. All our recommended Dota 2 betting sites are licensed and regulated by renowned gambling authorities like the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission), Government of Curacao, MGA (Malta Gaming Authority), etc. These sites also have an SSL encryption technology enabled so that all the sensitive information remains protected.
Bonuses and Promotions – Bonuses play a significant role in attracting new clients and catering to the existing ones. During the rating process, we check whether the bonuses are lucrative and if they come with realistic wagering requirements. We also take into consideration ongoing promotions that include free bets, deposit bonuses, refund bonuses, price boosts, etc.
User Interface – Almost every Dota 2 betting site offers multi-platform compatibility to its clients. Punters can enjoy betting from desktop and mobile platforms effortlessly. We also ensure that the navigation experience is smooth and satisfactory from both these platforms.
Banking Systems – Our recommendations include Dota 2 betting sites that have a great variety of payment systems, including credit cards, eWallets, bank wire transfer, cryptocurrency, pay by phone, etc. Both deposits and withdrawals are also fast and hassle-free in these sites.
Customer Support – Any user in a Dota 2 betting site should be able to enjoy a quick response from the customer support service team via live chat, email, and telephone service. The majority of our top-rated bookmakers also offer support services via WhatsApp, Twitter, and other social platforms.
Other Features – Extra features like live streaming, cash out, bet builder, regular updates, live stats, etc. also play a great role in our ranking process.
After analysing each of these aspects, we rate the sportsbooks and enlist them as per their credibility as the best Dota 2 betting sites.
How to Bet on Dota 2
Due to the inclusion of Dota 2 betting markets in a large number of sportsbooks, now it is possible to fulfil all your punting desires in a few single clicks. You can place a wager on Dota 2 in three different ways:
Betting with play money, skins or in-game items has been a massive hit at the beginning on Dota 2 betting. In recent years, there have been fewer Dota 2 skins betting sites that offer a safe and fair betting environment. This is why we don’t advocate these sites for legal Dota 2 betting.
In contrast to skins betting sites, real money Dota 2 sites offer higher security, licensed, and regular betting ambience. Before you sign up at a Dota 2 real money betting site, make sure that it is legal in your country and you are eligible as per the bookmaker’s terms and conditions.
Types of Dota 2 Bets
When you sign up at one of our suggested Dota 2 betting sites, you may find 10+ betting markets depending on the match type. In a regular match, these are some of the most common Dota 2 betting types you may come across.
Outrights are offered months ahead of champions and tournaments where punters can place bets on the tournament winner or the winning team of a certain match. As expected, odds are higher in terms of predicting the champion team whereas the value is lesser for winners of individual matches, especially when betting on the match favourite.
Here the bettors decide on the winner of individual maps. With a bit of research on the participants’ gaming style, one can have a high winning potential in this market.
Some players perform more aggressively than the other team members. By pointing out the player with the most number of potential kills by the end of the match, you may be able to win generous rewards in this market.
“First Blood” is referred to the team that performs the first kill of a certain match. Many bookies also allow their players to place bets on a specific player who will make the potential first kill.
Considering a few aspects, including the player stats, performance, combat style, Dota 2 betting sites set a fixed time limit on the potential ending of the match. Punters can bet under of over that time limit.
In this betting type, punters can place a wager on the team that is more likely to destroy the enemy team’s tower first.
How to Place Bets at a Dota 2 Betting Site
Betting on Dota 2 at any of our suggested sites is as simple as it can get. You may use a desktop site, mobile site, or a betting app, you will still be able to place bets on any Dota 2 event within a few minutes. Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can place bets on real money Dota 2 betting sites.
You can start by visiting the selected bookmaker’s site and click on the “Sign up/Register button”. Carefully fill up the form with your personal and banking details. Consider using a separate email for betting to keep track of your punting journey.
Re-visit the site using the link provided in the confirmation mail. Once you’re through, look for welcome bonuses and make a deposit as per the bookmaker’s requirements.
After that, head over to the “Esports” section and check out available Dota 2 markets. Determine a betting type based on your expertise in the area and place a wager and let the fun begin. Enjoy the match, accept the outcome, and continue betting on Dota 2 online!
Best Dota 2 Events to Place Bets On
Dota 2 is one of those esports events that take place almost every week where skilled teams compete against each other. Such enthusiasm has resulted in the birth of many major and minor championship events that occur throughout the year. If you are aiming for these big events with massive pools, have a closer look below.
The International
Launched in 2011 by Valve Corporation, The International is a global esports championship event that offers a whopping prize pool to its winning teams. The cash prizes can go over a whooping £35 million, therefore, it is not surprising that the event has a huge betting potential.
The International is organised annually with 18 teams selected from Dota Pro Circuit and regional playoffs in different continents. To this date, the only team to win the championship title more than once is OG from Europe.
Asia Championships
Organised by Perfect World Games, Asia Championships has been a major Dota 2 event since 2015. The event takes place in the online gaming hub Shanghai, where each year the best 16 Dota 2 teams from different parts of the world battle it out to win the championship title and a cash prize money worth over £3 million.
The Summit
The Summit is another hyped Dota 2 event that is initially hosted in Los Angeles by Beyond the Summit. The prize pool offered in this championship is set at over £0.3 million. The winning team in the minor competition directly qualifies for the major championship hosted by Invictus Gaming.
EPICENTER
Founded in 2016, EPICENTER is a major Dota 2 event hosted by Epic Esports Events. The prize pool of this championship is also set at around £0.3 million. Organised annually in Moscow, Russia, EPICENTER includes multiple stages and playoffs before reaching the grand finale.
What to Consider while Betting on Dota 2 with Real Money – Best Dota 2 Betting Tips
When you are betting on Dota 2 with real money, there are several factors that can determine your winning potential in different markets. To help you out in this matter, here are some of our expertly crafted Dota 2 betting tips.
Understand the Game
The probability of making money in Dota 2 betting depends on your understanding of the game’s basics. You can either play the game or watch live streaming, commentaries, game reviews, etc. on social platforms. You can also watch the best players’ performance in the major championship events and set a betting strategy accordingly.
Notice Current Forms
Backing your favourite team or player is great when you enjoy the gameplay as a spectator. However, when you are betting on Dota 2 for real money, keep track of the current stats of each player competing in certain events. The stats that should receive high attention include:
Team Strategy
Each team has a specific gaming strategy that may include pushing early in the game, emphasising on carries, saving special skills for last-minute battles, etc. By analysing these aspects, you can gain an upper hand on certain Dota 2 markets and betting types.
Head to Head Combat Analysis
Even though teams with higher skilled members usually end up winning, there may be events where a player struggles under a special move by the opponent. By analysing individual player head to head records, you may get a better understanding regarding this and gain an advantage in field-specific markets.
Hero Banning
In many matches, even the top-tier teams struggle after losing an important hero. Check out events like this, and build your betting strategies, especially for live betting markets.
Dota 2 Betting Sites – FAQ
Is betting on Dota 2 legal? As long as you bet on Dota 2 with a licensed and regulated sportsbook, you may enjoy a safe and legal betting experience.
The legality of a betting site also depends on your location, age, and a few other factors. Before you decide to sign up at any of our recommended Dota 2 betting sites, be sure to check out whether you are eligible to place bets legally as per the bookmaker’s terms and conditions.
How can I make money by betting on Dota 2 events? Given that you sign up with a real-money Dota 2 betting site, you can make money with a good understanding of how the game works and the knowledge that can be applied to different Dota 2 markets.
What are the best Dota 2 events to place bets on? The best Dota 2 events to place bets on are The International, Asia Championships, Epicenter, The Summit, etc. However, we recommend you to start with regional competitions with smaller stakes and opt for bigger events when you gain more experience.
Can I watch Dota 2 matches live online? Yes! Fortunately, the majority of our suggested Dota 2 betting sites offer live streaming so that you can enjoy live betting in real-time. You can also use other social platforms like Twitch, Facebook, and YouTube to watch Dota 2 matches live.
How much should I bet on Dota 2 events? While there is no specific betting limit on Dota 2, your stake should be the amount you can easily afford to lose. Consider winning the bet as a bonus to the thrill and entertainment you will be receiving while betting. In this way, your betting career will not affect your personal budget.
What mistakes should I avoid while betting on Dota 2? The most common Dota 2 betting mistakes include chasing losses, not paying attention to current stats, and making rash decisions disregarding the initial budget.
Bottom Line on Dota 2 Betting Sites
In general, esports betting is a relatively new addition in the online sports betting arena, and therefore, betting on Dota 2 also has a vast area yet to discover. With the information given at our site, we hope that both rookie and experienced punters will be able to get a head-start in their Dota 2 betting quest.