A preview is only worth following if you can see how it was put together and how the bets have done over time. This page explains both, because a tipster who hides their working, or their losers, isn't worth following.
What we check before every preview
- The format. A best-of-one gives the weaker team a far better chance than a best-of-three, and best-of-two series, used in some group stages, can end in a draw.
- The map pool. In CS2 and Valorant, a team's record on each map over the last three months tells you more than its overall record, and its recent bans show which maps it avoids.
- Line-ups. Stand-ins, new signings, coaching changes and visa problems all move prices, sometimes after we publish.
- Patches. Riot updates League of Legends roughly every two weeks, and Dota 2 and Valorant get regular balance changes too. One patch can change which champions, heroes or agents the top teams rely on.
- Stage or online. Some teams are far stronger online than on stage in front of a crowd, or the other way round.
- The price. We only bet when we think the odds are bigger than a team's real chance of winning.
Our guides to CS2 and League of Legends go into the detail for each game.
Our staking plan
We stake in points so results can be compared whatever your budget. One point is a fixed unit you choose, for example 1% of the money you have set aside for betting.
| Confidence | Stake |
|---|---|
| Best bet | 2 pts |
| Standard bet | 1 pt |
| Bigger-priced bet, such as a correct score | 0.5 pt |
We never stake more than 3 points on one match, and we don't add to a bet in-play after a bad first map.
How we measure results
Strike rate is the share of bets that won: winners divided by bets, times 100. Return on investment (ROI) is profit divided by total points staked, times 100. Backing short-priced favourites gives a high strike rate but thin profits, so we publish both.
| Date | Match | Bet | Price | Stake | Result | Profit/loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Example date | Harbour Foxes v Iron Kestrels | Harbour Foxes to win | 1.73 | 2 pts | Won 2-1 | +1.46 pts |
| Example date | Harbour Foxes v Iron Kestrels | Over 2.5 maps | 2.05 | 1 pt | Won | +1.05 pts |
| Example date | Example match | Map handicap -1.5 | 2.40 | 1 pt | Lost (won 2-1) | -1.00 pt |
Example rows: replace these with your real results, and record every bet at the price you advised, losers included.
Matches we leave alone
We rarely preview lower-tier matches. There is less reliable information, the markets are thinner and the integrity risk is higher: the Esports Integrity Commission (ESIC), set up in 2016 to tackle match-fixing and cheating, has banned players for fixing matches. We also skip matches where a line-up is still unconfirmed.
We will never promise guaranteed winners, hide a losing run or suggest betting is a way to make money you need. Upsets happen in every esport, which is why stakes stay small and fixed. Our previews are for adults aged 18 and over.
FAQs
What is ROI in betting tips?
ROI, or return on investment, is profit divided by the total amount staked, times 100. A tipster who made 15 points of profit from 300 points staked has an ROI of 5%. It is a fairer measure than profit alone, because it allows for how much was bet.
What happens to my bet if a team uses a stand-in?
It depends on the bookmaker's rules. Some settle esports bets as normal whatever the line-up, as long as the match goes ahead, while others have their own terms for late changes. Check the esports section of the terms before you bet on a team with a substitute.
Why don't you preview every match?
Because a preview is only useful when we think the price is wrong. We skip matches with unconfirmed line-ups, lower-tier games with little reliable information and fixtures where the odds already look right. Fewer, better-researched bets make for a more honest record.