Esports betting is becoming more popular every year. Among bettors, the most in-demand disciplines are CS:GO and Dota 2, but bookmakers also give due attention to sports simulators. For example, most online bookmakers today accept bets on FIFA cyber football.
The reasons for its popularity are quite clear.
Firstly, when placing bets on FIFA cyber football, a bettor is wagering on a real person controlling one of the teams in the game. In other words, there is a genuine competitive element.
Secondly, the simulator itself is extremely popular. PlayStation has been running an active promotional campaign for many years, pushing its related products.
What is FIFA?
Before exploring the best strategies and betting options for FIFA esports, it’s worth learning as much as possible about the game itself. Moreover, it’s useful to play the simulator yourself to fully understand the fast-paced nature of esports matches.
In particular, thanks to the development and almost annual release of updated FIFA simulators, Electronic Arts has become a major international corporation. Its software products are advertised at the largest football tournaments.
FIFA is a computer game in which the user controls a football club. The main advantages that have made this entertainment so popular are:
- Convenient and accessible gameplay. The virtual pitch closely simulates the tactical dynamics of real stadium events.
- Detailed player models with unique abilities. The company signs contracts with many real footballers to include their likenesses in the game. Unique skills and varying attributes provide additional in-game advantages — just like in real football.
- Accessibility of hardware and software. Millions of people play FIFA themselves, creating a large community of bettors ready to wager on this esports discipline.
- An almost perfect interactive mode. Matches are played between opponents located in different countries and continents. As a result, tournaments that accept FIFA bets take place year-round.
The global popularity of football and the accessibility of its cyber version are the key reasons for FIFA’s rapid worldwide growth.
Major international tournaments available for betting
Real esports competitions in this discipline have been taking place for nearly 30 years. The first international tournament was held in 2004. Today, championships with prize pools reaching half a million dollars are held regularly, such as the FIFAe World Cup.
They are held across six regional confederations:
- Europe;
- North America;
- South America;
- West Asia and Southern Africa;
- East Asia;
- Oceania.
Another advantage of FIFA is that competitions can also be organized independently of federations. Major bookmakers often host their own tournaments, inviting both professional and amateur players. Bets are also accepted on such mini-championships.
Specifics of FIFA betting
Since virtual football closely mirrors what happens on real pitches, the types of bets offered are quite similar. In the betting line for esports football events, you’ll find the following options:
- 1X2, double chance;
- total and individual totals;
- handicaps by goals scored;
- draw no bet;
- half-specific bets across various markets;
- which team will score the next goal.
For major and popular tournaments, the betting lines are even more detailed, including corners, yellow cards, and red cards. Bets on penalties and goals from the spot are also common.
When analyzing statistical indicators, remember that in cyber football, matches don’t last two 45-minute halves. Everything happens much faster, which naturally affects in-game statistics.
The difference between virtual football and cyber football
Beginners often confuse cyber football and virtual football in online bookmaker lines. But the difference is significant. In esports matches, two real players compete against each other, controlling their teams in the game.
Virtual football, on the other hand, is a full simulation where all events are driven by software algorithms. Bookmakers use different vendors that provide this type of software.
Yes, in virtual football, various factors such as team lineups can influence the outcome. However, at its core, it’s a gambling-style simulation similar to slot machines, where chance plays the main role.
Features and strategies for virtual football betting
Since virtual football betting is more akin to casino gaming than traditional betting, use corresponding strategies. Various progressive staking systems work well here, as they rely not on pre-match analysis but on mathematical calculation. Choose markets with odds around 1.90–2.10. The following options are suitable:
- a goal in each half;
- both teams to score – yes or no;
- over/under – available in both pre-match and live modes when waiting for suitable odds;
- 1 or 2 (home/away win) – progressive betting by matches or halves.
Progressive staking strategies are suitable for virtual football because matches are short. Within 30–60 minutes, you can complete several full betting cycles.
FIFA betting strategies
Many beginners wonder if there is a reliable and profitable FIFA betting strategy. There are no 100% guaranteed systems — otherwise, bookmakers would quickly block them. Below are several working approaches and recommendations:
- Bet on a losing favorite. Follow the match live. If the stronger player concedes early — which happens quite often — bet on their comeback at higher odds. To identify favorites in a match, refer to the EA SPORTS FIFA 20 Global Series rankings.
- High total goals strategy. It’s important to understand each player’s tournament approach. When motivated opponents meet, they are likely to play aggressively. The game mechanics favor offensive play over defensive strategies. Thus, high-scoring results are common — consider betting on Over (5.5).
- Favorite’s individual total. Often, stronger players relax after achieving a comfortable lead, conceding goals as a result. Therefore, handicap bets are not always optimal. In matches with a clear favorite, choose the high individual total market with odds around 2.00.
- Over on yellow cards. Study player-specific stats. Esports is played by individuals, not teams, and their playstyles rarely change dramatically. If a player frequently receives cautions, chances are high they will again.
Many FIFA betting schemes and strategies rely on live mode. Feel free to use them — almost all esports matches are streamed directly on bookmaker websites. This makes live betting more convenient: bettors can assess gameplay styles, motivation, skill levels, and special tactics in real time.
Which bookmakers offer FIFA betting?
Today, nearly all online bookmakers include esports — and FIFA in particular — in their lines. The differences lie mainly in tournament coverage and the depth of available markets.
Pros and Cons
The main advantage of FIFA cyber football betting is that knowledgeable players can effectively apply winning strategies. However, there are notable downsides.
The first is a high bookmaker margin — typically around 9–14% in pre-match markets.
The second is a high likelihood of unexpected outcomes due to player motivation and other factors. In cyber football, individuals compete rather than teams, meaning personal circumstances can have a major impact.
