First Map Winner betting is a popular betting market in esports that involves predicting which team or player will win the first map in a series. This type of bet can be particularly appealing to those who want to focus on the early momentum of a match or who believe that certain teams or players have an advantage on specific maps. In this article, we’ll explore First Map Winner betting in esports, explain how it works, discuss its advantages and disadvantages, and provide examples to help you understand this betting option better.
Understanding First Map Winner Betting in Esports
In First Map Winner betting, you place a bet on the team or player you think will win the first map of an esports series. Bookmakers will offer odds for each team or player based on their perceived chances of winning the opening map, taking into account factors such as map-specific strengths, current form, and historical performance on the map in question.
The odds for First Map Winner bets are usually higher than those for overall match winner bets, as the focus is on a single map rather than the entire series.
Advantages of First Map Winner Betting in Esports
First Map Winner betting in esports offers several advantages:
- Early excitement: By focusing on the first map, First Map Winner betting can add an extra level of excitement and immediacy to your esports betting experience.
- Potential for value: If you have a good understanding of teams’ or players’ map-specific strengths and weaknesses, you can potentially find value in First Map Winner betting markets.
- Quicker resolution: Unlike bets on the overall winner of a series, First Map Winner bets are settled after the completion of the first map, providing a faster result and potential payout.
Disadvantages of First Map Winner Betting in Esports
However, there are also some disadvantages to consider:
- Limited scope: By focusing solely on the first map, First Map Winner bets may not provide a comprehensive view of the teams’ or players’ overall performance or the likely outcome of the entire series.
- Map-specific risk: If a team or player has a particularly strong or weak record on the first map of a series, the outcome of a First Map Winner bet can be heavily influenced by the map selection, adding an element of risk.
- Reduced control: Once the first map begins, you have no control over the outcome of your First Map Winner bet, as the result is determined solely by the performance of the teams or players on that specific map.
Example of a First Map Winner Bet in Esports
Let’s consider an example of a First Map Winner bet in esports:
- In an upcoming best-of-three CS:GO series between Team Liquid and Astralis, the bookmaker offers the following decimal odds for the First Map Winner:
- Team Liquid: 2.10
- Astralis: 1.75
- After analyzing both teams’ recent performances and historical results on the map pool, you believe that Astralis has a strong chance of winning the first map. You place a €75 bet on Astralis at 1.75 odds.
- The first map of the series is played on Inferno, and Astralis secures a convincing victory.
- Your First Map Winner bet on Astralis is successful, and your return would be: €75 x 1.75 = €131.25 (including your original stake).
Conclusion
First Map Winner betting is an exciting way to engage with esports series, focusing on the early momentum and map-specific dynamics of a match. By leveraging your knowledge of teams’ or players’ strengths and weaknesses on specific maps, you can potentially find value in First Map Winner betting markets and add an extra layer of excitement to your esports betting experience.
However, it’s important to recognize the limited scope and map-specific risks associated with First Map Winner betting. The outcome of a bet can be heavily influenced by map selection, and the result of the first map may not necessarily reflect the overall balance of the series.
As with all forms of gambling, it’s crucial to bet responsibly, within your means, and to approach First Map Winner betting as a form of entertainment rather than a guaranteed source of income. By carefully weighing the advantages and disadvantages of this betting market and making informed decisions based on thorough research and analysis, you can potentially enhance your esports betting experience and enjoy the thrill of predicting the winner of the crucial first map.