CS2 Perfect World Shanghai Major: Opening Stage Pick'Em Guide

It’s that time of the year again – the PW Shanghai Major is here and so are the Pick’Ems. During this time, CS2 players turn into scavengers trying to hunt that shiny and bright Diamond Coin.

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Pick’Ems have always gathered the community together as they try to predict which teams will prevail and fail during the major to ultimately be honored with a diamond badge on their Steam profile and in-game rewards, showing their deep knowledge of the game's esport and amazing predicting skills or simply their incredible luck.

All you need to get the Diamond Coin is 10 bucks, some knowledge and a sprinkle of intuition or luck. We might not have $10 USD for you but we sure do have the knowledge needed to get a Diamond Coin.

Full disclosure– At the previous Major in Copenhagen, we only reached the Gold coin so follow our predictions at your own risk. It’s important to note that while cheering for your favorite team is natural, having them win the Major will not guarantee you a Diamond coin. (We painfully learned our lesson for the past few Major tournaments) 

With that out of the way, let’s find out how you can place you Pick’Ems for the Shanghai Major.

General explanation on how CS2 Pick’Em work

The rules are simple, complete challenges and win points. Additionally, you can upgrade your Shanghai 2024 coin by completing coin challenges within their set deadline and earn a Souvenir token with each upgrade.

Perfect World Shanghai 2024 Major Pick'ems Challenge Page. (Credit: Valve)

Since IEM Katowice 2019, Valve introduced a new system requiring players to purchase a Viewer Pass to participate in the Pick’Ems and ultimately complete the challenges. Players are encoured to place predictions and upgrading their coin as the tournament progresses.

CS2 Perfect World Shanghai Major Pick'ems Challenges

The official challenges are:

• Activate your coin before the tournament is over.
• Place all ten Pick’Em predictions for the Opening Stage before it begins.
• Get five correct Pick’Em predictions for the Opening Stage.
• Place all ten Pick’Em predictions for the Elimination Stage before it begins.
• Get five correct Pick’Em predictions for the Elimination Stage.
• Place all seven Pick’Em predictions for the Playoffs before it begins.
• Place two correct Pick’Em predictions for the quarterfinals.
• Place one correct Pick’Em prediction for the semifinals.
• Make a correct Pick’Em prediction for the Grand Final.

CS2 Perfect World Shanghai Major Pick'ems Rewards

What coin you’d get based on the challenges completed:

• 1/2 Challenges: Bronze Coin
• 3/5 Challenges: Silver Coin
• 6/8 Challenges: Gold Coin
• Completing all nine challenges will earn you a Diamond Coin.

Strafe’s Shanghai Major Opening Stage Pick’Em

To get started with Pick’Ems, first you must purchase the Viewer Pass from the game’s main menu in the ‘MAJOR CHAMPIONSHIP HUB & ITEMS’. Then after that comes the fun part of placing your predictions for the Opening Stage of the Major and here are our predictions.

The Pick’Em Challenge is certainly not as hard as you might think, but accurately predicting the teams that will go all the way isn't an easy task either. It requires a thorough understanding of the competitive scene including the latest performances and results, and a decision based on both data and intuition.

Considering the unpredictable nature of the first two stages, upsets are common. That’s why it’s wise to place teams likely to qualify in the 3-1 or 3-2 categories, including even the strongest ones as an early upset in a best-of-one match could cost you a point.

Balancing calculated risks with safe choices, here are our picks for the upcoming Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024 Pick'em Challenge:

• 3-0 Category
  • BIG
  • Complexity
• 3-1, 3-2 Category (These are the teams we believe are strong contenders to qualify, even if they drop a match or two along the way)
  • FURIA Esports
  • Team Liquid
  • Virtus,Pro
  • The MongolZ
  • Wildcard
  • paiN Gaming
• 0-3 Category (For the teams likely to struggle, our picks are)
  • Rare Atom
  • FlyQuest

Strafe's Shanghai Major Opening stage prediction (credit: Valve)

How to correctly place teams in each category

For the 3-0 slot, you can either take a gamble on a heavy favorite or play it safe with an underdog that might surprise. Keep in mind that teams qualifying with a 3-1 or 3-2 record won’t earn you points if you’ve placed them in the 3-0 category.

As for the 0-3 slot, it may seem straightforward to pick the weakest team on paper, but it’s also one of the riskiest choices. Many players have fallen into the trap of picking the obvious underdog, only to watch them upset expectations and ruin Pick’Ems.

The goal is to secure at least five correct picks, so focus on safe, calculated predictions rather than aiming for perfection—it’s almost impossible to achieve. To fine-tune your picks, consider using Major score simulators to avoid missteps, like having your 3-0 teams face each other early in the bracket.

Now that you know the strategy, grab your Viewer Pass and start making your predictions. Good luck!

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Perfect World Shanghai Major 2024: Format, Schedule and More

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