In this guide to CS2 Handicap bets, we explain the different types of CS2 Handicap betting, provide some tips, and assess the best Handicap betting sites

CS2 Handicap Betting Explained

CS2 Handicap betting involves giving one team a disadvantage to increase the odds you can get on them. If you bet on a CS2 team with a -1 handicap, they need to win the match by two rounds for you to win your bet. Handicap betting is a great way to get better odds on elite CS2 teams that go into most matches as a betting favourite.

Top CS2 Handicap Betting Sites

The bookmakers in the table below have all the different types of CS2 Handicap bets you can imagine.

For more information on the best bookmakers to place a Handicap bet on CS2 matches, check out our full, dedicated bookmaker section. This section includes expert reviews, must-known details, has all the information you would possibly need.

CS2 Handicap Round Betting

There are two, extremely popular types of CS2 Handicap betting. We’ve already covered the map score betting type in the previous section, explaining how this Special Bet works. Now, it’s time to dive into the CS2 round betting using a Handicap bet to increase your odds.

Placing a Handicap bet on CS2 rounds are done via the map betting section of a bookmaker’s match page. These are all pre-match bets, which means you can’t use Handicap bets on CS2 rounds with a live betting feature. Furthermore, bookmakers will provide you with Handicap bets for the first two maps in a best-of-three match. This is due to the uncertainty if a third map will be played. Check out the example of using a CS2 Handicap bet on rounds in a match below.

To simply win the first map, Team A has odds of 1.5. If you choose a Handicap bet of -2.5 on Team A to win, your profit margins will increase, as the betting site will provide better odds. To win the CS2 Handicap bet, Team A needs to win a map you bet on by at least 3 rounds. For example, Team A needs to win the map 13-9.

Sometimes, Handicap betting can net you a great profit. When you put your money on a dominating team to win a match, with a Handicap the increased odds can very well justify the risk involved.

CS2 Handicap Tips

Now that we’ve explained what CS2 Handicap betting is all about, as well as provided examples of the two most popular types, it’s time to dive into some tips to help out new bettors. With these tips, you could just spot a great betting opportunity.

Do Your Research

The most important tip we can possibly give you is to do CS2 Handicap bet research. Diligent research is the key to increasing your chances of winning. To start your research into this Special Bet type, and any other type of CS2 betting really, we recommend heading over to our team match histories, previous results, stats and more. For example, if you plan on placing a Handicap bet on a specific match or map, head to both teams’ match histories and look at their previous matches, and see if you can spot trends of 2-0 or 2-1 scorelines. Knowledge is power, after all.

Using A Staking Method

Using an effective staking method while placing CS2 Handicap bets is extremely important. Betting strategies employ different types of staking methods. Some of these staking methods are riskier than others. Check out our dedicated guide to CS2 betting strategies featuring types of staking methods, and pick the one that fits your style. For example, using a percentage-based staking method allows you to continue playing longer, placing more CS2 Handicap bets with your current budget.

Get The Best Odds Possible

Let’s say you feel as close to 100% certain about the outcome of two matches. In both matches, one team is heavily favoured to win over the other. This will also, in turn, mean that your -1.5 Handicap bet on the favoured teams don’t provide you with fantastic odds. Well, one trick is to use a Multibet. It allows you to string these two Handicap bets together, increasing your total odds in the process. Learn more about CS2 Multibets in our dedicated guide, and remember, these types of bets are high-risk, with an exponential odds increase.

Understanding The Variables

While good research can help you win some match bets, for example, a -1.5 or +1.5 Handicap bet, there are some serious unknown variables to take into consideration when betting on rounds. Handicap betting is a pre-match affair. This means both the map veto (which maps will be played) as well as the map order in a match is unknown. Therefore, placing a Handicap bet of -3.5 or +3.5 on Map 1 can be difficult. One tip in this respect is that, if you ascertain from research that the two teams are close to each other in terms of current form, a +3.5 round bet might be a safer option.

Please note that these tips include general information. We do not guarantee success with these tips. HLTV is not responsible for any losses incurred. Odds examples are fictional. It is up to the bettor to check the odds provided by their bookmaker of choice.

Practice Responsible Gambling

Learn more about practising responsible CS2 gambling and take the Gamalyze is a self-assessment test. Further, you can check out our articles focusing on how gambling addiction can develop, time management and money management.

• Time management and responsible gambling – This guide focuses on time management essentials while practising responsible CS2 esports gambling.
• Money management tips for gambling – In this article, various methods that can be applied to prevent problem gambling will be presented. The methods presented in this article are related to “money management”.
• HLTV supports responsible gambling – Learn about responsible gambling, how gambling addiction could occur, the causes and stages of development.

Always practice responsible gambling. You must be 18+ to play.