Dota 2
With peaks of more than a million players, Dota 2 is one of the most popular online games at the moment, so it is not surprising that Betting shops have taken notice of it. Dota 2 (Defense of the Ancients 2) is a MOBA, an online multiplayer battlefield, which bears many similarities to League of Legends, both in terms of the objective and the bets that we can find.
In this guide, we will explain how to play Dota 2, the different betting options available in the game, and introduce you to some of the most well-known names in this constantly growing eSport.
How to play Dota 2
Dota 2 pits two factions of five players against each other on the same map. The Radiant faction occupies the bottom half of the map, while the Dire faction occupies the top. The objective is to destroy the opposing team's central tower or Ancient, located in the base of the rival faction, with the help of five heroes, one controlled by each player. Additionally, players can acquire different runes during combat that enhance their characters, such as ones that boost Intelligence, Agility, or Strength. Each character can equip up to six items.
With objects, heroes improve their combat skills, making fights more varied and exciting. Before selecting heroes, each team can ban two heroes from the other faction's choice. Once the first two heroes are chosen, two more heroes are banned, the 3rd and 4th heroes are chosen, and one last hero is banned before selecting the final hero. Matches are usually best of 3 maps, although some events are played best of 5 maps.
Dota 2 betting
We offer a wide range of markets to bet on Dota 2, although the most popular one is the Money Line or the winner of the match. Simply put, the most popular Dota 2 bets are the bets on the winner of the match. Bookmakers set the odds for each team based on parameters such as their level or history, and from here the confidence of the bettors in one option or another will make the odds for the victory of each faction flow in one direction or the other.
But as with other sports, we find other betting markets beyond the moneyline. One of the most interesting is Dota 2 handicap betting, as it allows Philippines to significantly improve the odds, especially in matches where betting on the winner is quite unbalanced. Another bet to consider, especially for more experienced players, is betting on the number of deaths in a match, map winner, or a team winning the match without conceding a single map.
Finally, we come to long-term bets, such as betting on the most chosen or expelled hero in a tournament or betting on the tournament winner, where the player only needs to bet on the team that will win the tournament. Among the most prominent championships and leagues we can bet on in Dota 2 are DreamHack, The Defense, SLTV Star series, and The International, which, while not being the official world championship of this eSport, is the most important tournament in the Dota 2 universe.
Where to bet on Dota 2?
Despite the great success of eSports in general and Dota 2 in particular, not all betting houses offer markets for betting on Dota 2. That is why below you have a list of bookies that allow Philippines to make bets on Dota 2.
Dota 2 Betting Strategy (3p)
The basis of your Dota 2 betting strategy should be your knowledge of the game. If you are not familiar with Dota 2, you should play it or watch matches to get acquainted with the game and its concepts. From here, other concepts come into play such as the synergy among team members or the individual skill level of each player, which like in any sport, can be the key to sway the match in their team's favor.
The knowledge of the game includes knowing the over 100 available heroes to choose from and each player's preferences. Many matches can be decided during the hero selection and banning phase, as a player be forced to play with a hero they're not comfortable with, which will negatively affect the team's performance.
We can't overlook the team's strategy during the banning phase either. After banning the first two heroes and picking two others, in the second phase each team can choose to veto two other standout heroes or two of the heroes that best complement their opponent's first two picks. Something similar happens in the final ban, usually meant to block surprise picks. That's why knowing each team's synergies beforehand can help you bet on Dota 2.
Dota 2 betting favorites (2p)
Talking about favorites in the world of Dota 2 means talking about OG, a legendary team, capable of repeating victory in several Majors, the first team to win four Valve-sponsored events, and one of the top favorites every time The International approaches. As it couldn't be otherwise, OG has Fly, the best Dota 2 player in the world, with absolute control over the game that has allowed him to bring his team to legendary status. A great example to look up to when starting to play.
Nevertheless, the Red Bull sponsored team isn't having the best of times, with the current champions of The International being Team Liquid, second in the world ranking of Dota 2 after Team Secret. Another team situated in the world elite is the Chinese Newbee, who made it to the final of the last The International. The Russians of Virtus Pro or the also Chinese Vici Gaming are also teams to consider when placing bets.