feaver As one of the most successful esports games, Dota 2 is to esports betting is what football (or soccer, if that's what you prefer) is to traditional sports betting. Where other esports games fade out, Dota has passed the test of time with flying colors, with more than two decades of pro-play history. It's no wonder that many beginner esports bettors choose Dota 2 as the starting point of their wagering journey!
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When choosing a good esports betting site, consider many factors to ensure the best betting experience. These include esports coverage, customer support, the best esports odds, etc., all part of the formula. Check out the list of esports betting sites that support Dota 2 wagers.
The scene has seen many changes over the years, although the primary type of betting - real money wagering - remains essentially the same. Moreover, as esports betting has become more widespread and accepted on legislative and cultural levels, Dota 2 betting sites are way safer and more convenient than a decade ago. Let's explore some of the most common options offered by the best esports bookmakers.
Dota 2 Beginner's Rundown
Originally released as a fan-made mod to Warcraft 3, Dota (back then called just Defense of the Ancients) has, over time, become one of the biggest esports and betting powerhouses. When Valve Corporation released the second installment, Dota 2, in 2013, the game's esports scene grew to mind-blowing proportions. The centerpiece of Dota's esports ecosystem, The International, features hundreds of the world's best players competing for millions of dollars—and is celebrated in esports online betting circles.
Dota has come a long way since its inception. At the end of its lifecycle, the first iteration of Defense of the Ancients featured 112 heroes; with the latest Dota 2 patch, this number has increased to 125. With over a hundred characters and items, thousands of different spells, and active effects, there are infinite interactions. So, let's start by looking at the basics:
A competitive game of Dota 2 features two teams, the Radiant and the Dire, competing to destroy the opponent's Ancient.
The game features a unique distinction between the heroes: Strength, Agility, and Intelligence. These attributes determine the interaction and power level of the characters' items.
There are many other divisions. The heroes are then divided into roles based on their strengths and weaknesses. The heroes whose role is to carry are generally expected to funnel gold and experience to become stronger, while the support-type heroes influence the games through utility and vision.
Speaking about the gold and experience, the map is divided into three pathways, called lanes, on which non-playable characters (called creeps) regularly spawn. When slain, they reward the player with experience - and gold that can be used to purchase items to power up their character. There are also neutral creeps outside the lanes - in the area referred to as jungle.
The skill floor in Dota 2 is rather high - and the skill ceiling is virtually infinite. Even The International winners can't boast of truly learning the game completely. There are trillions of hero and item interactions, thousands of spells, complex strategies, and, of course, the ever-shifting balance patches!
What Makes Dota 2 Esports Betting Stand Out
Certain factors make Dota 2 betting extremely popular. These involve the following:
Biggest prize pools not seen anywhere else |
Vast fan base |
| For example, the International 2021 featured an eye-wateringly massive prize pool: over 40 Million USD! | The Dota franchise celebrated its 20th anniversary in 2024! With this kind of history, it's no wonder it's loved by millions worldwide. |
The game is complex |
Dota 2 is free to play |
| It opens the door to many different betting markets based on in-game mechanics. | This makes it easy to try out and learn if you'd like to learn more about the game before placing bets. |
Ways To Bet On Dota 2
Dota 2 betting is more multi-faceted than just different betting markets! There are entirely different branches of
Unsurprisingly, real-money Dota 2 bets remain the most popular option for betting sites - and esports betting. The rules are the same as in traditional sports betting - although the digitalized medium allows for better options regarding betting markets, types of bets, and payment options.
Dota 2 item betting is rarer than that of the other Valve titles (CS2's). Recently, Valve added a 7-day cooldown on moving items, which, as you know, is practically a death sentence to nearly all Dota 2 item betting sites. Not all, though—there's still one reputable Dota 2 skin betting site out there—the Chinese-run etopfun project.
Also called Social Betting, this type of betting usually involves more experienced bettors or players sharing their insight on upcoming events. Social betting is fantastic for quickly understanding the game if you're still new to the multiplayer online battle arena genre or the Dota 2 esports betting scene. Try it on our website - it's great fun, and you can earn in-game skins and other rewards!
This type of betting involves bettors creating their fantasy pro lineups from the professional player pool. Then, the players bet on their team's performance - calculated using the pro player's performance metrics. This type of betting works best in regions with heavily regulated esports betting: most laws do not recognize fantasy betting as gambling.
Popular Dota 2 Betting Markets
Thanks to more than a decade of scene development, the bookies now spoil us with dozens of betting options. Gone are the days when you could place bets just on match outcome; the markets now feature the craziest special bets. Let's take a look at the most popular:
| Moneyline | The most widespread and straightforward type of Dota 2 match betting. In moneyline betting, bettors simply try to predict the winner of the match. Payout size varies based on odds, which depend on various factors. |
| Totals | Players bet on whether a particular factor in a match (like total maps played) will be over or under a predefined parameter, e.g., more or less than 2.5 maps. |
| Spreads | Spread bets (or handicaps) provide a head start to one team, making it more attractive to bet on the underdog. Allowed in competitions with multiple games, like a best-of-three with a +/-1.5 point spread. |
| Futures | Bettors predict the outcome of an entire tournament well in advance, often with better odds the earlier the bet is placed. Betting opens weeks or months before significant tournaments. |
| Live bets | Offers instantaneous results, allowing bets to be placed in real-time with live odds even after the match has begun, unlike other types of bets. |
| Prop bets | Prop bets are related to specific game details, like which player/team will achieve certain milestones first (e.g., most kills, first blood, destroying Barracks, slaying Roshan, etc.). |
In-game Mechanics-Related Bets
In addition to the general betting types described above, Dota 2 esports betting markets go above and beyond by taking advantage of the billions of unique interactions present in every match. Here are a few examples of these bets:
| First Blood/First Tower/First Barracks Destroyed | Involves betting on the first elimination or destruction of defensive structures in the game. First Blood focuses on player eliminations; First Tower and First Barracks target game structures, with specific predictions on which team destroys the opponent’s barracks first. |
| First Roshan Slain | Bettors wager on which team will first defeat Roshan, a crucial neutral objective that grants powerful items like the Aegis of the Immortal, providing a second life after death. |
| ...and many other! | Covers a vast range of in-game events and metrics available for betting, including different Rune Spawns, player metrics like Gold Per Minute, and various player build, skill, and upgrade paths. The betting possibilities are extensive. |
Tips For Starting Out Dota 2 Betting
Of course, there's much more to placing bets than simply choosing a bookie, a payment method, and an event. To maximize accuracy, it's essential to remember a few tips. This way, the betting journey will be both fun and profitable.
Try Out The Game
Having in-depth knowledge of different heroes, comps, objectives, and map states is crucial when placing informed bets—doubly so when it comes to live betting. Dota 2 is a very complex game, but it has plenty of resources to make learning it more accessible. Some of them are even available in-game!
Look For The Best Betting Odds
For those serious about making money with Dota 2 betting, comparing odds offered by different bookies is crucial. The differences in odds provided on a single event can be staggering, so keep a sharp eye out!
Research Professional Teams And Their Stats
Take into account teams' performances during the previous seasons. Check who's on the team, whether there were any changes, and their statistics.
Make A Rigid Betting Budget
This step is crucial for responsible gambling. No matter your game knowledge, esports betting is not mathematically perfect. Huge upsets are bound to happen occasionally, so it's best to be prepared. If you're just starting, look for bookies with a smaller minimum deposit. Never bet more on Dota 2 than you can afford to lose!
In sports, an upset occurs when the heavily favored team (the favorites) loses the match against the team most likely to lose (the underdogs). Since betting on underdogs universally means the best esports odds, lucky bettors enjoy much higher prize money.
Best Dota 2 Events To Bet On
With two decades of history comes an incredible amount of esports events. Including everything from small regional series to the most significant international events would've taken a hundred pages, so let's look at the most significant events instead.
Riyadh Masters
This event overtook the historic cornerstone of Dota 2's competitive year, The International, in 2023. Organized by ESL in collaboration with the Saudi Esports Federation, the Dota 2 Riyadh Masters is the annual top-1 Dota 2 competition. Saudi Arabia has been increasing their influence in many esports titles, including CS2, League of Legends, and Starcraft II, but its Dota 2 development has been arguably the largest.
2023Saudi Arabia, Riyadh, Boulevard Riyadh City
Team Spirit
Team Liquid
Talon EsportsThe Riyadh Masters 2023 featured an enormous prize pool of $15,000,000 and boasted a peak viewership 600,000. Its massive popularity makes it a fantastic pickup for esports betting sites. Riyadh Masters is the best time to bet on Dota 2 - crystal-clear sportsmanship, good esports bet market selection, and good Dota 2 odds - what's more to say here?
The Riyadh Masters features a professional circuit similar to the Dota Pro Circuit we all know and love. Top teams worldwide compete through the ESL-powered EPT Leaderboard events to qualify for this crown jewel event.
The International
Once the biggest event in the world, TI was a sight to behold: thousands of fans spectating the games of dozens of the world's best teams. In recent years, however, The International's influence waned considerably—take TI 2021's enormous $40,000,000 prize pool and compare it to the TI 2023 "measly" $3,300,000 prize money.
2023United States, Seattle, Climate Pledge ArenaTeam Spirit
Gaimin Gladiators
PSG.LGD GamingFor most gamers, TI truly needs no introduction. But if you need a refresher, The International is an annual Dota 2 esports event. It is the conclusion of the Dota Pro Circuit, an international pro circuit that spans the entire year and includes many different regional and international tournaments.
The International is not as big as it once was, but it's still a massive, beloved event. The International 2024 is set to include sixteen teams competing for a prize pool of around three million USD - more details will be revealed later!
PGL Esports is a Romanian esports organizer. Since its debut event in Manila, the organizer has become essential to Dota 2's esports lifecycle. After hosting such events as PGL Kyiv Major, Boston Major, and the latest event, PGL Arlington Major, PGL has proved itself as one of the most capable organizers.
ESL is one of the most prominent names among esports event organizers. Known for their stellar support of CS2 and, of course, Dota 2, ESL organizes all-year-long events ranging from regional leagues to Valve-sponsored Major events. Major status or not, ESL One's events never disappoint.
Best Dota 2 Teams To Bet On
For Dota 2 bettors, knowing as much as possible about the teams participating in the major tournaments is crucial. Take a look at Dota 2's Hall of Fame: a short list of Dota 2 teams that have proved themselves to always be worth the watch - and your bets. When these teams are present in an event, consider placing your wagers on them.
This roster is a Saudi Arabian-owned, international project with only one goal - to make Dota 2's strongest superteam of all time. Their record across the vast majority of events they've been in since the team formed speaks for itself. Gold in ESL One Birmingham, DreamLeague Season 22, BetBoom Dacha Dubai 2024 (all Tier-1 events, by the way), and a ton of golds and silvers across smaller events, prove that this team is a success. Now, the super-stack is eyeing the gold on two of the most prestigious events, The Riyadh Masters and The International, to prove their worth.
The team has been performing exceptionally well under the Chinese flag since 2009. In 2018, LGD partnered with French football giants Paris Saint-Germain and was renamed PSG.LGD. Their Dota 2 division earned more than $22 million. LGD secured third and second place at the TI events in 2018-2019. The team is famous for winning WePlay AniMajor and OGA Dota PIT Invitational. In 2021, they were an inch away from the Aegis - ending The International 2021 in second place.
This Chinese multi-gaming esports organization was founded in 2011. Just a year after its founding, IG topped The International 2012 with its victory over Natus Vincere. The team is famous for its adaptability and pioneering unique strategies. IG's Dota 2 squad grabbed first place at the ONE Esports Singapore Major 2021 and was fourth with more than $2.4 million of prize money at The International 2021.
Team Secret is a unique multi-gaming esports organization famous for its Dota 2 squad led by former Na'Vi captain Clement "Puppey'' Ivanov. They earned more than $15 million in winnings, steadily progressing through The International placements in 2016-2021 from 13th-16th place to top 3 and $3,6 million prize at TI10. Notable wins include DreamLeague Season 13-14 and OMEGA League in 2020-2021.
This is a CIS-based esports organization that launched in 2015. In 2020, the roster underwent a reorganization, adding a couple of new players and inviting the new coach — Airat "Silent" Gaziev, the absolute Dota 2 legend. The results achieved afterward were quite impressive. In 2021 Spirit won The International with an $18 million prize for first place as the second-ever Eastern European team that managed to become the TI champions after Na'Vi's original debut in 2011.