Just like in traditional sports, in esports a handicap (or spread) represents a predefined advantage granted to one side based on a specific numerical parameter. You shouldn’t expect as wide a variety of handicap markets as in football or basketball. However, H1/H2 markets exist in all esports disciplines, differing depending on each game’s rules and format. Let’s break down what a handicap in esports means and how it applies across different disciplines.
Types of handicaps in esports betting
To understand what a handicap in esports is, you must first know the rules of the specific game, its tournament format, and how many rounds or maps are needed to win a match.
Map handicap
To win a match, a team must secure a set number of maps.
There are three common formats:
- single-map matches – no handicap options are offered;
- best of three – positive and negative H1/H2 (+/-1.5) handicaps are available;
- best of five – in addition to +/-1.5, bookmakers also offer +/-2.5 options.
Given the limited number of maps, bookmakers usually offer only European-style handicaps — without fractional Asian options.
Round handicap in CS:GO
Next, let’s move to smaller-scale parameters. In CS:GO, a team must win 16 rounds to take a map. Therefore, the preassigned handicap values are larger.
On individual maps, H1/H2 usually ranges from 1.5 to 5.5–6.5. However, you can also bet on round handicaps across the entire match, where the range often extends to +/-10.5–15.5.
Kill handicap in Dota 2 and League of Legends
In MOBA games, one of the most common quantitative parameters is “kills” (frags), which are points awarded for eliminating enemy units.
If the teams are roughly equal, the kill handicap in LoL for a single map typically ranges from -4.5 to +4.5. In Dota 2, these numbers are higher — around -10.5 to +10.5.
The challenge is that many MOBA matches don’t have pre-posted handicap markets for detailed stats like kills. Bookmakers often wait for the hero draft before offering such lines.
Which bookmakers offer good handicap lines?
It’s not enough to know what a handicap in esports betting is — you also need to find a bookmaker that meets a few key criteria:
- wide coverage of esports tournaments — from top-tier to regional and qualifying events;
- timely posting of H1/H2 markets both for maps and for statistical parameters like rounds and kills;
- a broad range of handicap values — map handicaps typically at +/-1.5, while smaller stats should have options around +/-5.5–9.5;
- competitive odds — normal bookmaker margins for such markets range from 10% to 13%.
Licensed bookmakers are increasingly expanding their esports offerings. Still, esports remains secondary compared to traditional sports.
That leaves offshore bookmakers such as GG.bet and Loot.bet, as well as the globally recognized Pinnacle, which actively develops its esports lines.
1xBet also offers an extensive esports line and markets, sponsoring several well-known teams and tournaments.
Pros and Cons on handicaps in esports
Esports is characterized by a high degree of unpredictability. Bookmakers often rely heavily on a team’s reputation and past results, while underdogs frequently challenge favorites and even secure victories.
The key advantage of H1/H2 betting in esports is that informed bettors can find numerous value odds. Knowing the actual balance of power allows you to identify underestimated underdogs. Even if they don’t win outright, placing a handicap bet on such teams can be a smart strategic choice.
