Esports Betting / DOTA Betting Strategies Guide: How to Bet on DOTA in 2023

DOTA Betting Strategies Guide: How to Bet on DOTA in 2023

Last Updated on 30/05/2023
Fact checked by: James Leeland

Chances are slim that you haven’t heard of Dota before, whether it’s Dota 1 or 2. The popular multiplayer game has esports bettors excited, and it’s one of the most popular esports betting games in the UK.

If you want to bet smart, you need Dota betting strategies that are based on insight. In this strategy guide, you’ll get to know the specifics of the game itself, how to devise a solid betting strategy for Dota, and discover some top bookies where you’ll get a wide range of Dota betting opportunities.

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What is Dota? The difference between Dota 1 & 2

Dota, short for Defense of the Ancients, is a famous multiplayer online battle arena or MOBA game, initially developed as a mod for the popular real-time strategy game Warcraft III. Dota 2 is the sequel to the original Dota game, and it was developed and published by Valve Corporation.

The main gameplay mechanics of Dota 1 and Dota 2 are unsurprisingly similar. Both games involve two teams of players battling against each other on a map with the ultimate goal of destroying the enemy team's "Ancient," a large structure located at their base. Players control individual heroes, each with unique abilities, and work together to push lanes, capture objectives, and defeat enemy heroes to achieve victory.

Despite Dota 1 and Dota 2 sharing many similarities, they are also different in numerous ways. Dota 2 features updated graphics, improved gameplay mechanics, a more extensive roster of heroes, and more expansive in-game items. Additionally, Dota 2 has a more organised competitive scene and a larger player base than Dota 1. It's safe to say that Dota 1 has largely been superseded by its successor.

How to bet on Dota: a step-by-step guide

There are few things more helpful than a step-by-step guide whether you're a beginner or a pro who wants to revise their betting strategies. Take a look at our steps:

  1. Find a betting platform: several Dota betting sites allow you to wager on leagues and matches. Some of these platforms may be specialised in esports betting, while others may offer a broader range of sports and events to bet on. Research different platforms and choose one that suits your needs and preferences.
  2. Register an account: most betting platforms require you to create an account before placing a bet. This typically involves providing some personal information and verifying your identity.
  3. Deposit funds: once you have an account, you will need to deposit funds to place a bet. Most platforms offer a variety of deposit methods, such as credit or debit cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers.
  4. Choose a Dota match: browse the available Dota matches and select the one you want to bet on. You will typically be presented with a variety of betting options, such as the winner of the game, the total number of rounds, and the margin of victory.
  5. Place your bet: once you have chosen your betting option and the amount you want to wager, you can place your bet. Make sure to double-check the details of your bet before submitting it.
  6. Watch the match: after placing your bet, you can sit back and enjoy the match. Keep an eye on the score and the odds to see how your bet is progressing.
  7. Collect your winnings: if your bet is successful, you will be able to collect your winnings according to the terms and conditions of the betting platform.

Your potential strategy will largely rely on the betting options available. While options may differ at esports operators, these are the most common betting options.

  • Match winner: This is the most straightforward betting option, where you simply bet on which team you think will win the match.
  • Outright winner: This option allows you to bet on which team you think will win an entire tournament or event.
  • Total rounds: In this option, you can bet on the total number of rounds played in the match. For example, you might bet on whether the total number of rounds will be over or under a specific number.
  • First blood: This option allows you to bet on which team will be the first to score a kill in the match.
  • Correct score: Here, you need to predict the exact score of the match. This can be a challenging but potentially rewarding option for those confident in their ability to forecast the outcome of a match, but the results can still go both ways, even if you're quite sure you've placed a solid bet.
  • Handicap betting: As mentioned earlier, handicap betting allows you to give one team a virtual advantage to level the playing field and make the matchup more evenly matched. Handicaps are typically expressed as a number of points or rounds, which are applied to the score of the favoured team.

Dota handicap betting explained

Dota handicap betting is a form of betting in which one team is given a virtual advantage over the other in order to level the playing field and make the matchup more evenly matched. This allows bettors to wager on a team that may otherwise be considered the underdog and still has a good chance of winning.

In Dota handicap betting, the team given the advantage is said to be "handicapped," while the team at a disadvantage is referred to as the "favoured" team - basically the opposite of a normal situation. The handicap is typically shown as a number of points or rounds, which is applied to the score of the favoured team. For example, if Team A is given a handicap of -2 and they win a match by a score of 20-18, the actual score for the purposes of the bet would be 18-18 (20 - 2 = 18). Thus, the bet on Team A would be considered a win in this case.

Handicap betting can add some excitement to Dota betting strategies; however, it’s important to do some research and be prepared for less stability in terms of betting outcomes.

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Six expert Dota betting strategy tips

Here are some of the top tips that can help you improve your Dota betting strategy and help you understand the elements behind betting decision-making.

Understand handicap betting

If it's a handicap betting scenario, make sure you understand the handicap: Fully understanding the handicap and how it will affect the outcome of the match is crucial. Make sure you know how the handicap will be applied to the score and how it will affect the odds of each team winning.

Look at the teams' past performances

Consider their recent form and overall track record. This can give you an idea of their strengths and weaknesses and help you make a more informed decision about which team to focus on.

Analyse the map

Pay attention to the map on which the match will be played, as specific maps may favour certain teams. For example, a team that excels at pushing objectives may have an advantage on a map with many objectives available for capturing. 

Consider the meta

The meta, or the current state of the game, can also influence the outcome of a match. If a team has a strong lineup that is well-suited to the current meta, it may have an advantage over a team that needs help to adapt.

Manage your bankroll

It's essential to manage your bankroll carefully and only bet what you can afford to lose. This can help you avoid financial stress and allow you to enjoy the betting experience more instead of constantly fretting about your finances.

Stay up to date

Keep an eye on the latest Dota news and updates, as these can give you an edge in devising intelligent betting strategies. Stay informed about the teams, the players, and any changes to the game itself to evolve with the Dota esports betting scene and modify your strategies if need be. 

What makes bookies top esports betting sites for Dota? Consider these telltale signs

There are certain standards all bookmakers should meet, whether it’s an esports betting operator or an online sports betting platform. These components may appear to have little to do with your Dota betting strategies, but they play a role in ensuring you bet at a safe and reliable bookie.

1. The bookmaker is properly licensed

One of the most important deciding factors of a bookmaker’s legitimacy is its licensing and adherence to regulatory requirements. UK esports betting sites need to be approved and regulated by the UK Gaming Commission to ensure these operators follow rules, offer safe and fair betting opportunities, and follow ethical business practices.

In our Strafe.com bookmaker review section, we look closely at operators in this regard and whether they are approved and regulated by the UKGC.

Don’t put your money and safety at risk by signing up to an unregulated site; instead, look at our expert betting operator reviews to make an informed decision.

2. It offers decent payment options

So, you want to use PayPal for deposits and withdrawals, but the esports betting site you’re eyeing doesn’t offer you his option. Or, you can make deposits with PayPal but you’d have to use another payment method for withdrawal. This can play a definitive role in whether you decide to sign up at an esports betting site. After all, making deposits and withdrawing winnings are integral components to the betting experience as a whole, and while an operator offering a wide variety of payment methods is an indication of quality, safety and security shouldn’t be factored out when deciding on a bookie.

3. Lots of betting options

If you’re specifically interested in betting on DOTA, an operator offering a variety of betting options and DOTA live betting gives you more freedom to develop specific DOTA betting strategies and find out which ones work for you.

For example, If you can only go outright and total rounds, you won’t be able to explore other interesting betting options unique to DOTA, like first blood. Ultimately, it depends on how you want to bet, but the more options you have, the more you’ll enjoy the journey of developing a betting strategy that works for you.

4. Solid customer support

No matter how well-designed a bookie’s platform and processes are, there’s always a chance you may need a bit of help to fix a technical issue, enquire about your funds, or other things that affect a smooth esports betting experience. That’s where top-tier customer support comes in, and as bookmaker platforms become more and more sophisticated, we like to see a variety of options that will help you solve your issues using tools like live chat and regularly-updated FAQ sections. Also, factor in response time, as live chat is no good if you don’t get a timely response.

5. Payout reliability

An esports bookie’s payout history shouldn’t be ok - it should be spotless. To clarify, we’re referring to fair payouts based on the operator’s terms and conditions, as it’s important to understand how and when the bookmaker will pay out your winnings. If you’re looking for a PayPal esports betting sites for DOTA but don’t agree with the terms and conditions or if it’s obvious that they’re skewed, the reliability component becomes irrelevant. Thus, a spotless payout record based on fair terms and conditions gives an operator the status of payout reliability.

Develop your Dota betting strategies at these top sites

While you may find several betting sites offering Dota betting opportunities, some are just better than others in terms of betting options and overall experience. Two top options to consider for Dota betting are Bet365 and Ladbrokes.

Bet365

Bet365 is one of the industry leaders in online betting and is especially popular in the UK for both sports betting and esports betting. The brand is known worldwide as it offers online betting opportunities to residents in many African and European countries.

The operator offers extensive esports betting options, including not only match winner and outright winner but also correct map score, total map over/under, and more.

There is also a range of leagues to bet on, like ESL Dota 2 and Dota 2 Pro Circuit, and you can place bets on multiple tournaments while keeping tabs on all of them.

Bet365 is famous for its user-friendly interface, and with a wide variety of payment methods, you’ll be able to deposit using your most trusted choice, whether it’s a debit card, PayPal, bank transfer or Apple Pay. Make sure to use the stats feature in the esports section to make informed betting decisions and evolve your Dota betting strategies effectively at Bet365.

Ladbrokes

Ladbrokes is a favourite in the UK online betting scene, and while it offers some great sports betting options, the Dota betting opportunities in its esports section also stands out. The bookie offers over 50 tournament options, with a respectable payout percentage and various betting options.

Ladbrokes offers some of the best Dota betting odds for Dota Summit 13 Online, BTS Pro Series Season 3, the Epic Prime League, and the DPL-CDA Professional League.

Navigating the Ladbrokes user-friendly interface is a breeze, and you can make deposits and withdrawals with options like Maestro, Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay, bank transfer, Trustly, and Paysafecard.

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Conclusion: find your feet with our Dota betting strategy guide

Esports is not only one of the most entertaining ways to bet, but it also offers a plethora of ways to strategise. Dota is no exception, and with proper Dota betting strategies, you can up your game and appreciate new ways to approach Dota betting promo codes by planning your betting strategy accordingly.

It all comes down to knowing the inner workings of the game, having relevant information at hand, and knowing your betting options.

Dota betting strategies FAQ

❓What is the difference between Dota 1 and Dota 2?

While Dota 2 is based on the same principles as Dota 1, there are some differences between the two. This is not unexpected, considering graphics technology and other components contributing to games are constantly evolving and providing enhanced user experiences. In this article, we discuss the differences between Dota 1 and Dota 2 as well as how Dota 2 kept some of the original game’s traits.

💲How can I develop the best Dota betting strategies that pay out?

While doing your homework and devising betting strategies based on a variety of relevant factors can increase the chance of your bet being successful, it can also end up in a loss. However, making smart and strategic bets are not only a handy way of getting to know the inner workings of the game but also helps you discover how you like to bet. Make sure not to miss our tips section on strategic betting for DOTA here at Strafe.com.

🔍Are Dota betting strategies the same as Fortnite betting strategies?

Many ways on how to bet on a Dota strategy exists, and the same goes for Fortnite betting and strategising. We suggest you take a look at our guide to Dota betting and other strategy guides, where you can learn more about both the similarities and differences between Dota and Fortnite strategies.

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