How map knowledge can help bettors turn a profit in Starcraft 2

How map knowledge can help bettors turn a profit in Starcraft 2

By Montse Garcia Nov 6, 2013

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By understanding how maps are chosen in tournament formats, bettors can find an edge in Starcraft 2 matches. This article explores how bettors can use this knowledge to turn a profit.

How understanding maps can give you an edge in Starcraft 2

When judging a player’s chances to win a match, there are several things bettors should consider: skill, form, strength in that particular match-up, state of the races, external factors (such as fatigue, health issues, etc.) and the maps in which the games will be played.

In our previous article concerning Starcraft 2 maps, we discussed how pro-player’s believed maps could affect their matches. On average, the Pros believed that in an even game, they could gain as much as a six percent advantage over their adversary with a favourable map. Pinnacle’s margin in Starcraft 2 is 3.84% total. Therefore a six percent impact on the perceived odds is significantly bigger than the margin. By understanding and recognising this early enough would give the bettor an opportunity to gain an edge over the bookmaker.

Pre-knowledge and Map Pool strategy

Now let’s look into tournaments and maps. Bettors can break tournaments, leagues or matches into two categories: those they know the maps and their order, and those where they simply know the map pool and the number of games that will be played in each series.

By having knowledge of the maps used prior to the series, bettors have a distinct advantage, and betting on the handicap presents an excellent opportunity to find an edge. After determining a favourite, and by understanding which maps suit which team prior to the start, bettors can alter a players perceived chances for that game.

In contrast, there are tournaments that state the map pool but not necessarily the maps each match will be played on. When betting on these events, understanding the map selection mechanics can help the bettor evaluate not only players’ but each races’ chances. Normally two players will partake in a veto process whereby they are given the map pool and each player alternatively bans a map until the required number of maps for that series is remaining.

Bettors who are familiar with the available maps and understanding which are favoured by each race can help them understand which games will be the chosen for a certain series, allowing them to adjust their perception of the odds for each player.

By understanding which race the map pool favours, the bettor will be in a better position to pick an outright winner.

As is commonly said, information is power, and understanding the intricacies of maps and the role they play, can definitively help eSports bettors find an edge when betting in Starcraft 2.

Click here for the latest Starcraft 2 odds.

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