The map pool matters: A guide to betting on CS2 based on maps

Counter-Strike esports has always been competitive, shaped by key factors like weapon choices, roles, and maps. The game has undergone major shifts across many games, but the map rotation is always a crucial part of the competitive circuit.

KEY TAKEAWAYS

• The Active Duty map pool determines a big part of the series being played in CS2 events as certain teams prefer certain maps and avoid others.
• Every CS2 map is different as they require varying play styles and strategies that make the gameplay dynamic, especially at the top level. 
• CS2 esports is reliant on having the map veto process, which influences a big part of the esports circuit and your decisions for your CS2 betting.

The top level of competitive Counter-Strike involves plenty of key factors. Top teams have their star players, but succeeding in the circuit requires extensive knowledge of the CS2 competitive map pool. The same is true for top-level CS2 betting since you can get a leg up when you know more about the CS2 Active Duty maps before placing your bets.

Does map pool matter in CS2?

The map pool is integral to every Counter-Strike match, as it influences strategies, team compositions, and how the team performs. A top-tier esports game like CS2 follows these factors, as the maps play a huge role in determining how the series plays out.

CS2 esports is already filled with depth, but it becomes more interesting with the map pool. Some teams excel on specific maps based on their strategic approach and player expertise. There is strategic depth to each map, and like many factors in CS2, some players and teams have preferences for their maps that affect their gameplay. 

In every CS2 match, the teams think about the maps they will be playing on. All the parts of that map determine how the team will play based on where they are. The aggression, play styles, and more could change based on the map, which is why teams need to make adjustments.

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Teams adjust to the map veto process

For a CS2 series, teams always go on a map veto process, which involves banning some maps they do not want to play on. The remaining maps are a selection pool where teams could get their favoured map or at least the map they know their opponents will struggle on.

Teams must adjust every time a series comes up. Since some teams have maps they do not want to play on, those often end up being banned. However, that can be risky as the other team might favour certain maps even if they are not strong on them. With this part of the game, they need to outsmart their opponents outside the gameplay.

An overview of the active CS2 map pool

To have a better understanding of what happens in CS2 matches, the maps are a key part of the gameplay. It is essential to know more about the maps because you might make some bad predictions for your bets. The players also must be aware because they might make mistakes during the games and not be aware of certain tactics and adjustments.

The current active map pool in CS2 features a good mix of classic and new maps. That provides the context for your bets, as each map presents its strengths and weaknesses required to win. Here is an overview of the maps in the pool: 

• Ancient - In Ancient, teams are rewarded for having precise strategies that focus on dominating choke points. This map is filled with those tight angles, so team coordination is important, especially when using lined-up smoke grenades and flashes to cover off enemies’ angles. 

Alongside the strategic play, it is also important to recognise that Ancient tends to have fast-paced games. While aggressors often gain the upper hand, Counter-Terrorists (CTs) can also secure rounds by being aggressive with their positioning.

• Anubis - This is a more balanced map than most, as teams can play more conservatively and thrive, but aggression is also rewarded. Teams can dominate the mid area, which gives them the ability to dictate the game. 

This is more of an instinct-favoured map. The plays executed can work, but it is far too large to cover all the angles. Players who go aggressive on either side often get more chances to secure frags or even take the round through multi-frag plays.

• Inferno - Inferno is one of the maps that rely on execution with smoke and flash grenades. Due to all the tight angles, it is crucial to cover them off with smoke. It makes planting bombs easier and helps secure the site more effectively for defence.

Over-aggression can be an issue with this map as players can grow impatient. When smokes and flashes do not work out, the aggression is easily punished because of the tight angles. It tends to favour the CT side, where a more conservative approach is usually successful.

• Nuke - This map focuses on verticality and has the two bomb sites right on top of each other. The multi-level gameplay creates an enjoyable experience for players with faster rotations than other maps. Aggression is often rewarded in this map because of the many angles they can take.

Teams with excellent map knowledge and game sense thrive on Nuke as they can capitalise on their mental advantage. Quick rotations force opponents to adjust, making it difficult to get away from bomb sites. 

• Mirage - This is one of the most versatile maps. The AWP is often considered the best weapon for controlling the mid area and covering the two sites. Smoke grenades play a crucial role, as they help cover all angles, which reduces the game’s difficulty. 

Mirage is reliant on controlling the game’s pace. As long as a team can dominate the middle, the map will favour that. However, there is always room for magical plays as certain angles are useful in dominating the map.

Understanding the map veto phase

Ahead of a Counter-Strike esports match, the two teams pick and ban maps they think could significantly impact the series. Typically, this phase is split into multiple steps depending on the match format, which are usually a best-of-one, best-of-three, or a best-of-five. 

Understanding the veto phase is critical for bettors as it reveals which maps will be played and which tactics the teams will use. Since teams prioritise certain maps, this can guide your predictions by giving you clear expectations. 

Due to the three series formats for CS2 series, you must know how the process works so you can better set your expectations. Here are the formats you must look into: 

• Best-of-one (BO1) - When it is only a BO1, each team bans one map. From the remaining maps in the pool, one is randomly selected. Remember that whenever a BO1 comes up, both teams remove the map they avoid playing on, which could affect your bet.
• Best-of-three (BO3) - Each team bans one map, then picks one map each. The deciding map in the potential third game is the remaining map that did not get picked or banned. This adds more depth to the series, giving you a wider range of options to consider when betting. 
• Best-of-five (BO5) - This is where the process becomes more intricate as teams have more room to strategise. They would want to pick the maps they are comfortable with, so they can win the series early on, and avoid the other maps that could be present in fourth and fifth games.

How to make adjustments for your bets based on the maps

With your interest in CS2 betting, you must understand how to adapt based on developments before the games. Since map picks are revealed when placing your prediction, you must know how certain maps shift the balance between the teams. 

Some players perform well on their preferred maps. However, this applies to all 10 players on the server, making it important to know about the players before placing your bet. Watch previous matches and check individual player perspectives to see who stands out.

A good example of this is seen during matches on maps like Nuke or Inferno, which tend to favour the CT side. The defending team typically has the upper hand, so you must know which team performs better in that role. This also applies to more balanced maps like Mirage or Ancient. 

Leverage the data you have at your disposal and make the best predictions possible. Do not just rely on your knowledge; use stats to see how teams perform in certain maps. Doing this gives you a chance to make successful calls. 

Map-specific betting markets at Gamdom

Placing bets on CS2 matches at Gamdom is fun, especially when you know more about the dynamics of specific maps. Here are the betting markets you should become more familiar with:

• Map Winner (Incl. Overtime) - You predict who wins a specific map: 1st map, 2nd map, 3rd map, and so on. If the map goes into overtime, that won’t void your bet as the market includes possible extra periods. 
• Map - 1x2 - You predict a win for either team or a draw. 
• Map - Total Rounds (Incl. Overtime) - After you get the number provided by Gamdom, you must predict if the number of total rounds played will exceed or below the given number. 
• Map - Round Handicap (Incl. Overtime) - The favourite is given a handicap ahead of a map, which equalises the dynamic between the two teams. You are tasked with predicting what the result will be based on the options alongside the number of rounds. 
• Map Round Winner - You are given a specific round during the map to predict, and you must pick which team will win.
• Map - Will There Be Overtime - A yes or no market where you predict if a specific map will have an overtime period or not.
• Map - Correct Round Score - You predict the specific score of the map. Based on the options, this does not include overtime since the most it can reach is 12:12. 
• Map - Correct Pistol Round Score - You have three options here, which are 2:0, 1:1, and 0:2 for the three possible outcomes for the two pistol rounds in a map.
• Map - First Pistol Round Winner / Map Winner - You predict the winner of the first pistol round and the overall winner of the map.
• Map - Winner & Total Rounds - This combines the winner market with the total rounds. You win it when you correctly predict both.
• Map - Winning Margin - You predict the winner of the map and the lead they had over the opponent.

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Common mistakes in betting related to maps

CS2 betting can be challenging, but some mistakes should be avoided. Here they are: 

• Ignoring the map veto process - The veto phase provides crucial insights for the maps. By looking into this process, you can prepare your bets based on the maps that will be played.
• Putting too much emphasis on the team’s form compared to map form - A team might be on an impressive winning streak, but that does not guarantee their success on every map. Look into the team’s recent form, but do not ignore how they perform on a specific map.
• Overlooking niche maps - Most people do not consider Ancient or Anubis as it is not the classic map. However, there could be a big shift for the teams due to certain teams practising on the niche maps over the more established ones. That gives them an advantage because of their experience.

General tips for CS2 betting

To succeed in CS2 betting, be prepared for all the changing factors in the game. Thankfully, there are tips to help with your CS2 betting: 

• Stay up to date with the latest CS2 news - You should be aware of what is happening in the scene, so you can make adjustments depending on the news. One of the biggest news possible is roster changes. 
• Always look at the patch updates - Be updated with the latest patches in CS2 as there are upgrades to the game including the weapon’s stats and map changes. These might alter existing maps, or even change the active map pool.
• Familiarise yourself with the players - Become more aware of the players as they are the driving force of gameplay. This can also help you make more informed decisions.
• Leverage your knowledge of the games - Being a CS2 player yourself is beneficial as it gives you a deeper understanding of the game. 

How to start betting on CS2 matches at Gamdom

Place bets on CS2 and other esports events by signing up at Gamdom. Here are the steps you must follow: 

1. Register and sign into your Gamdom account.
    

   

2. Click the sidebar in the upper-left corner to find the ‘eSports’ button to enjoy the esports betting page.

3. Find the available esports to choose from, this time you are picking ‘CS2’.
    

   

4. Browse and find the markets you want to predict. Confirm the wager on the Bet Slip in the lower-right corner.
5. Find the markets that fit your preferences. The bet you make shows up on the Bet Slip in the lower-right corner. Click the ‘Place Bet’ and confirm your prediction.

Place your maps-centred CS2 bets at Gamdom

Understanding the importance of the map pool is vital for your CS2 betting. With the insights into the maps, you are now ready to create strategies and know the team dynamics before placing your bets. Improve your overall gambling experience at Gamdom, where you can bet on live and upcoming esports events!

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