[nirvAnA]

So far pinnaclesports.com is the only legit eSports betting site that I know off - They have been around for over 10 years and only just recently added the eSports section so they are a well established betting site. I know for a fact of several high level sc2sea users who use it and they often talk about their betting strategy in the skype groups I'm in. The most profitable betting strategy at the moment (as silly as it sounds, it is a winning strategy) goes something like this

Rule 1: Korean vs Foreigner? Always bet on the Korean.
Rule 2: Is there a Protoss playing? Always bet against the Protoss.

You can bet on MLG / GSL games on this site as well but first things first, make sure its legal to do online betting in your country first. Sc2sea will not be held responsible in any way and we are strongly against any forms of illegal activity. So just be smart and make sure everything is legal on your end.

A friend of mine who uses this was kind enough to share with me some screen shots explaining the navigation system after you have deposited. He mentioned something about how you can deposit with Poli as well, the method Australians commonly use for online banking. Anyway on to the betting for newbies guide!


Step 1: Navigate to ESports > Starcraft 2

+ Show +

Step 2: Just use Straight Bet and don't bother with the rest.

+ Show +

1: Handicap Betting - Sometimes this option is displayed with the handicap bracketed next to the name.

For e.g Ryung (-1.5 Handicap) In a Bo3 this means the player starts off with a score of -1.5.has to win 2:0 to be the overall "winner"
So if he wins 2:0, you technically win 0.5:0 and therefore win. And if he wins 2:1 his score after the handicap is 0.5:1 and therefore he losses.
Simply put if he wins 2:0, you win but if he losses or even wins 2:1, you lose.

Why even bet with handicaps? Simply because the odds are far juicer. Why bet on the overall result of any MVP game which usually gives odds of just 1.1 - 1.2 when you can be getting odds of 1.6-1.7 for a -1.5 handicap since you know MVP is gonna easily 2-0 most of the people he plays?

2: Normal Betting - Simply the overall winner of the match. You bet on Ryung at 1.645 and he wins, (2-0 or 2-1 doesnt matter as long as he wins) you win.

Odds Explained - For those unfamiliar, this is how numbers you see (aka odds) work.

1.645 means you risk $1 to win $0.645
2.32 means you risk $1 to win $1.32

Example 1: So if you bet $10 on Ryung, you are risking $10 to win $6.45. Meaning if you win you get your intial stake back ($10) + $6.45 = $16.45 although its only $6.45 which is the profit. If you lose you only lose the initial stake aka the $10

Example 2: You bet $10 on MarineKing with 2.32 Odds. MarineKing wins, you receive $23.20. Actual profit is $13.20 since you have to minus away your original $10 stake.

Step 3: Review past/pending bets

+ Show +

Theres a customer area as well where you can view all your latest bets done or pending bets.

The odds consistently change depending on the bets placed on the player and the site/house makes the most money because the odds are never equal. For example even if the bets placed on each player are even, the odds will be displayed something like Player A 1.91 Player B 1.91. The extra money "left on the table" goes straight to the house/site as commission, but this way is more appealing as it appears the players aren't "taxed" and these are also used to protect the site and to offset against some of the more unexpected results.

Generally anything above 2 are great odds. The market reflects the public opinions very well so if you know some specialised information the public does not its always a good bet. Like this player is really bad at TvP but good at everything else, but the public doesn't know it so gives his opponent 3.5x odds then why not just bet against him. I remember Idra vs Nazgul had like 1.05:7 odds or something crazy like that, and guess what, Nazgul won

And lastly, my friend deposited $200 and is now sitting at almost double - $360 after many bets over the last 1 month. He just does it for fun but he does alot of research and bets smart so if you take an analytical approach to this not only will it be fun hobby but something profitable if you manage your bankroll (balance) well (NEVER bet anything about 10% of your total balance per bet). However, I highly recommend only betting if:

1. its legal in your country
2. just so watching games become more exciting for you as there is more at stake. Just do this for fun and in sensible moderation.
3. not to expect this to become a regular source of income and NEVER bet if you cant afford it.

For problem gamblers kindly stay away, it is a well known fact that gambling without control ruins lives. Or rather, PrimeTime, hide this from your DAD!!!

Quick Comments

	ZiggyD:	Thanks! Didn't know such a thing existed.
	MrGambit:	Thank you man been looking for a site like this!

[Snx`Azz]

if you can reach top 10 gm on sea i think this would be fairly easy to do.

for everyone else u will need to work harder im sure.

[NvRossi]

i think i may get involved with this!

[Nemo]

I understand why you did it and that betting is quite popular, better to give advice than just letting people on their own.

But I would strongly encourage anybody and especially youngest people to stay away from betting money. Like smoking you may think it's cool but in fact it is not. You can live without it and since there is danger in it, you should stay away of that. You cannot know in advance if you're going to fall to addiction and better not take the risk.

Quick Comments

	Muldeh:	Very true, +1
	NvPinder:	Buzz killington over here

[Zanderax]

The way I see gambling is you put $200 in for the fun of gambling. You don't ever take the money out. It means that you cant get addicted because you never 'need' to win.

I wonder if Saviour's got banned :P

[StitcH]

Ahhh... I still miss Savior. Don't talk about him like that. T.T

[nard]

gambling destroys lives. just thought i should put it out there.

[MrGambit]

Just wanted to say thanks for letting me know about this. It might have been luck but i put in $200 one month ago and now have over $700 in my account, even after i cashed out my initial deposit! A warning to others, not everyone will be as lucky as me so I agree that you should only bet if you have some spare pocket change and want to make games more exciting to watch... the difference in excitement when you have a big bet riding on it is incomparable to any other game you have watched before.

[Peleus]

Originally Posted by nard

gambling destroys lives. just thought i should put it out there.

Gambling addiction leading to betting more than you can lose destroys lives. It's like saying alcohol destroys lives and point to an alcoholic, ignoring the millions of people that only have 1-2 drinks every now and then.

[Pezz]

Is this service still available? Cos I can't find esports anywhere.

[nirvAnA]

Yea I believe there just aren't any games going on atm, when theres GSL / ESL / MLG / Dreamhack matches u will see them pop up for sure

[LoRDo]

Gambling is essentially like any other indulgence - alcohol etc.
Just because you do it on the off doesn't mean it will "ruin your life".

Yes, gambling addictions exist (they have affected my family severely - a story for another time), but that does not mean I would condemn anyone from participating.

Personally I find it safer to stay away from things like this - I mainly prefer money in my bank not out of it

[TN.Fitz]

Well I'm glad to see this happening. I mean if the US we have baseball and American Football teams. Teams are owned by team owners much like the houses and coaches there are currently for pro starcraft teams. Now not only do we have teams and owners and events but now we can bet on these events. Now of course me being 17 I cannot legally bet nor do I intend to but, the fact of the matter is that is it very nice to see that Starcraft is becomming more and more like a regular athletic sport just get rid of the running involved and add a mouse and keyboard haha.

[nirvAnA]

MLG / ROG bets are out!!!! Lots of action this weekend

[b3nje909]

So I know this is an old thread (just over a year to the day), but its also the Only thread I can find online that deals with esports and gambeling.
I don't punt very often, but figured given I watch the gsl a lot (it is essentially the onIy tv I watch) could make it a tad more exciting for me if I had some money on players and matches, and maybe have a few extra dollars in my pocket by the end of it.
But I have a few reservations and questions first about Pinnaclesports

Firstly, does anyone use this website regularly to place bets?? Have u ever had any issues with them??
Have u ever won a bet and not been paid it?? Have been Reading some reviews on it, and quite a few are very harsh and not promising at all.

I'm not intending on placing bets of thousands or even hundreds, but its nice to know that if I do win, I am going to get my money back.

Anyway, any advice is welcome

[nirvAnA]

Hey b3nje909,

I personally know a lot of people who use Pinnacle and have no problems with it regarding payouts or placing bets etc.

That being said an advice I would give is to be responsible and only use small amounts that will make the games more exciting but not burden you in anyway should you have a non favorable result.

[b3nje909]

Originally Posted by nirvAnA

Hey b3nje909,

I personally know a lot of people who use Pinnacle and have no problems with it regarding payouts or placing bets etc.

That being said an advice I would give is to be responsible and only use small amounts that will make the games more exciting but not burden you in anyway should you have a non favorable result.

Oh yeah I know. anyone who thinks that they can live off gambling is kidding them selves and going to struggle in life.
Thanks for the info, I'll probably make an account within the next few weeks

[Whiplash]

erm...so uh... what if the korean is protoss and the other player is any of the other 2 races and a foreigner?