Live betting is one of the most exciting aspects of CS2 betting. Live odds move fast, especially when it comes to esports. This fast-moving nature means CS2 live odds present plenty of opportunities to find a winner. Read on to get all the intel you need to master the art of CS2 live betting, starting with the best CS2 betting sites to use.

Best CS2 Live Betting Sites

Each CS2 betting site offers a different level of live betting options, but most include esports in their coverage. You’ll find our current rankings of the best esports betting sites just below. We assess several aspects of each site to produce this list, including the live betting options they provide.

CS2 Live Betting Explained

CS2 live betting is just betting on a Counter-Strike match while it’s happening. 99.9% of online betting platforms now provide fluctuating ‘In-Play’ live odds. These fast-moving odds change as an event unfolds.

The fluid and fast-paced nature of live odds makes live betting one of the most exciting and potentially profitable ways to bet on esports. Implementing a consistent CS2 live betting strategy will improve your chances of getting some solid cash returns.

CS2 Live Bets Explained

Due to the fluid nature of esports and sports, betting sites will have fewer live markets than traditional pre-game markets for most events. However, every site’s live odds range usually includes the most popular betting markets for each sport or event. Below, we’ll give you an overview on the CS2 live odds you’ll find at most bookmakers.

• CS2 Live Match Betting – Think one team is building momentum? You can capitalise on your hunch by betting on them to win the match while it’s happening.

• CS2 Live Map Winner Betting – If you see a CS2 team performing well on a specific map, you can bet on them to win it during the match.

• CS2 Live Handicap Betting – Most CS2 betting sites will live handicap odds for the match winner and each map. Handicap betting can get you better odds, but your CS2 team needs to win big.

• CS2 Map To Go To Overtime – If you think two CS2 teams are neck and neck on a specific map, you can bet on them to go to overtime.

• CS2 Live Total Rounds Betting – Each site will offer an over/under CS2 betting market for the number of rounds played on each map as the action unfolds.

How Do CS2 Live Odds Work?

CS2 live betting odds will fluctuate endlessly during a match. The odds in each market will increase or decrease depending on how the match develops. Live betting on matches allows you to spot fleeting opportunities and often means you get better odds on your CS2 picks.

The fluid nature of live betting means a well timed bet can net you a big payday. Here’s a quick example of how CS2 live odds can change during a match and how you could have taken advantage of these shifts.

On 3rd April 2021, Virtus.pro took on ENCE in the ESL Pro League. Virtus.pro was the pre-match betting favourite. However, ENCE outperformed expectations, winning the second map and taking a 15-3 lead on the final map.

ENCE needed just one more round to win the whole match. At this point, the live odds at some sites for Virtus.pro were as big as 26/1. A well-timed £10 live bet on them would’ve returned a massive £270.

Virtus.pro staged the most remarkable comeback in the history of esports. They pushed ENCE into overtime and finally won the map 19-17 and the match 2-1. While the chances of this happening are low, this dramatic match shows how rewarding the correct CS2 live bet can be.

CS2 Live Betting Tips & Tricks

Now that you know what CS2 live betting is, how live odds work, and the best sites for CS2 live betting, it’s time to dive into picking a winner. Our list of essential CS2 live betting tips & tricks can help you do just that.

Listen To The Casters

You can take advantage of the insight provided by the casters or the analysis desk on stream. Casters can provide invaluable details about each CS2 team or player you might have missed. 

For example, a caster may suggest a specific team usually does well on an upcoming map. Small pieces of info like this can help you identify when the live odds present good value.

Patience Is Key

Sometimes, the longer you wait before placing a bet on a live CS2 match, the better. If you feel a team can win a match even if they lose the first map, you should hold off until after the first map and get the longer odds. Timing and research are the critical elements to placing a successful CS2 live bet.

Do Your CS2 Research

Knowledge is power. The more you know, the more likely it is you’ll find a winning CS2 live bet. Our betting guides, odds comparison page and CS2 stats page are all great places to start your research. 

‘In-Play’ odds move very fast, meaning opportunities can come and go instantly. Having a solid foundation of CS2 knowledge is crucial in identifying those opportunities and capitalising on them.

Use Live Cashout

Most betting sites now have a live ‘Cashout’ option for most bet types. This tool lets you take some winnings from your CS2 bet while the match is still going on. Your potential payout relies heavily on the likelihood of your bet winning and the time left in the match. If your team takes the lead, but you think they’re looking shaky, using the ‘Cashout’ feature could be a good move.

Don’t Chase Your Losses

Anyone who bets online will lose at some point. With the fast-paced nature of live betting, it can be tempting to try and make up for a loss by placing more or higher bets quickly. Remember, always have self-control, do your research, and carefully consider every esports bet. Knowing when to cut your losses is vital to keeping your CS2 betting safe.

Responsible CS2 Gambling

It’s essential to consistently apply a responsible approach to online betting. You can take the Gamalyze self-assessment test to learn more about how you gamble and discover the responsible gambling tools available at online betting sites.

We’ve also got a wealth of other resources if you need more. Here are some of our in-depth HLTV responsible gambling articles:


• Time Management – This page focuses on the time management tools you can use while betting on CS2.


• Money Management – In this article, we list the money management methods you can use to prevent problem gambling.


• HLTV Responsible Gambling Commitment – Read more about responsible gambling and HLTV’s commitment to promoting it.


Remember, when betting on CS2 or anything else, you should always practise responsible gambling. You must be 18+ to play.

CS2 Live Betting FAQs