Ultimate FPS Game Betting Guide
What Are First Person Shooter Games? - FPS Betting Guide, Tips & Strategies
First-person shooters (FPS) are one of the most popular types of video games, where players experience the action through a first-person perspective. FPS games use gun-fighting and other weapon-based combat, with players needing fast reflexes to defeat either AI or human-controlled opposition. Several of the most popular Esports, such as CS2 and Call of Duty, are FPS games. You can find a range of FPS Esports betting options at Stake Sportsbook. Find out how they work and how to start betting on them in this guide here on Stake.
First Person Shooter (FPS) General Rules & Gameplay
While the exact rules and gameplay can vary a lot between games, all FPS games follow a set of core gameplay mechanics. First of all, perspective is always from a first-person viewpoint, which increases immersion and means players must be aware of everything that’s happening around them.
Players have access to weapons, which normally include a primary weapon and secondary weapons. Grenades and melee weapons may also be a part of a typical first-person shooter game loadout. Some games may also include preset classes, which offer unique equipment and class abilities.
Opposing players engage in gunfights using their weapons and abilities, using careful aim, fast movement, and quick reflexes to get the edge and eliminate the opposition. Taking shots reduces health, which is either replenished through healing or by regeneration over time. After being eliminated, players can respawn or be forced to sit out for the rest of the round, depending on the game type.
Specialised FPS shooters often include special mechanics to set them apart. For example, hero shooters have unique characters with special abilities. Tactical shooters have a short time to kill (TTK), high recoil, and limited HUD information.
FPS Game Modes
There are lots of different game modes in typical FPS games. These can normally be split into objective-based game modes and death matches. Here are a few examples of popular game modes:
Team deathmatch - Two teams compete to eliminate the most players within a time limit. Players respawn after being eliminated.
1v1/Duels - A tense and fast-paced battle between 2 players, usually on a smaller map.
Bomb defusal - Two opposing teams set out to either plant a bomb at a designated bombsite, while the Counter-Terrorist side aims to prevent the bomb from being planted and defuse it if planted. Players are eliminated from the round with no respawns.
King of the Hill - Teams attempt to control a specific area of the map for as long as possible, earning points for uncontested control time.
Capture the Flag - Teams protect their own flag while attempting to steal the enemy’s flag and bring it back to base.
Battle royale - popularised by games like PUBG, this game mode features up to 100 players who battle to be the last one standing. Team variations are also available.
What Are The Most Popular FPS Games to Bet on?
CS2 - Learn more about wagering on CS2 with our ultimate CS2 betting guide, and utilise our tips to your advantage!
Most Popular Esport Teams and Players
Team Vitality - Counter-Strike 2 and Valorant.
Won the Counter-Strike: Global Offensive Major Champs at BLAST.tv Paris 2023.
Top players: ApEX, ZywOo and flameZ
Stake is also proudly partnered with Team Vitality – one of the most decorated teams in CS2 with numerous wins in IEM tournaments and high profile competitions! With this partnership, Stake is committed to providing the best odds in CS2 betting when you bet on Team Vitality's games.
FaZe Clan - Counter-Strike 2, Call of Duty, Valorant, Apex Legends and Rainbow Six
Won the CS:GO PGL Major Antwerp 2022
Top players: rain, karrigan, frozen
Team Liquid - Counter-Strike, Valorant, Apex Legends, Rainbow Six
Won the Intel Extreme Masters Chicago 2019
Top players: NAF, Twistzz, ultimate
Common FPS Terminology
Map - The setting of the game. Each map has a unique layout and features to make gameplay varied and mean that different strategies are needed.
ADS - Aim down sights. This means zooming in to look down the weapon’s sights for more accurate aiming, although it takes time to complete ADS, and movement is restricted compared to hip fire.
Hip fire - Shooting without aiming down sights, which is less accurate but faster.
TTK - Time to kill. This is the time it takes to kill an opposing player, with low TTK weapons preferred in most situations.
DPS - Damage per second. This is a measure of the damage output of a weapon, assuming that every shot lands.
Peeking - Exposing yourself to an angle to briefly look or shoot.
Strafing - Movement from side to side during combat to make it harder for the opposition players to land shots.
Angle - The line of sight or view that a player holds or checks.
Trade - Eliminating an opposing player after they have eliminated a teammate.
Clutch - Winning a round despite being at a disadvantage. For example, being 1v3 or defusing the bomb at the last second.
Rotate - Changing positions mid-round, such as switching sites to try a new strategy.
Hold - Stop moving and maintain position.
Push - Advance on the opposition or towards an objective.
What Are the Major FPS Tournaments & Events?
Esports World Cup - The Esports World Cup is a major international event, featuring more than 20 different Esports and many of the world’s best Esports teams. Lots of FPS games are included in the tournament, including Counter Strike 2, Apex Legends and Overwatch. Read our Esports World Cup picks blog to see the latest information and predictions.
ESL Pro League - The ESL Pro League is a global CS2 league featuring the top organisations. It’s considered the highest level of the professional CS2 calendar.
BLAST Majors - The Counter-Strike Major Championship is another huge event on the professional CS2 schedule, which is sponsored by Valve Corporation.
VCT Champions - Every year, the Valorant Champions Tour concludes with the world championship event, which offers a prize pool of more than $1 million. It’s organised by Riot Games.
CDL Championship Weekend - The Call of Duty League (CDL) is the biggest Call of Duty tournament on the calendar, with the Championship Weekend deciding the winners of the season.
Apex Legends Global Series - The Apex Legends Global Series (ALGS) includes the Pro League and Split Playoffs, and the series concludes with the Championship to determine the best team.
Six Invitational - The Six Invitational is an annual Rainbow Six Siege World Championship, which is organised by Ubisoft and invites the best teams from around the world.
Overwatch Champions Series - The Overwatch Champions Series (OCS) is the highest level of professional Overwatch. It succeeded the Overwatch League in 2024.
How to Bet on FPS Games on Stake
It’s easy to start betting on FPS games at Stake. You’ll need to create an account first, and then we recommend reading our ultimate sports betting guide and our Esports betting guide too. Once you’re set up, just follow these steps:
Log in to your Stake account and make sure you have sufficient funds in your wallet.
Open the menu to select the Esports page and choose any of the available games.
Browse the live and upcoming matches, and select any to see the full list of betting markets.
Choose your bet to add to your bet slip, then enter your stake, check the potential payout and confirm to place it.
If it’s available, you can select the live stream icon to watch the match as it happens.
Most Popular FPS Betting Markets & Bet Types
Match Winner - Twoway - This is a bet on which team you think will win the match. Essentially, this is like a moneyline bet, with 2 options to choose from.
Map Handicap - Bet on a team with either a map handicap or an equal map advantage. If you bet on the team with the handicap, they must overcome and win by more maps for your bet to be successful. Find out more in our handicap betting guide. Asian handicap markets also let you bet on quarter handicaps.
Total Maps - Choose the over/under maps or rounds played during the match. It’s also possible to bet on total kills on a certain map.
Correct Score - Bet on the final score, using the sliders to make your prediction.
Map Winner - Threeway - This is a 1x2 bet, where you bet on whether the map result will be a win for Team A, a win for Team B or a draw.
Prop bets - Prop bets are typically bets on stats or events that aren’t tied to the game’s outcome. For example, betting on first kill / first blood.
Parlay - You can combine bets to increase your odds and potential payouts. Some Esports matches also offer same game multibet markets.
Outright - Outright or future betting markets let you predict the eventual outright winner of Esports titles such as the CS2 BLAST Major.
How to Watch Esport Live Streams & Place Live Bets
You can find a wide variety of pre-match and live betting markets on Esports at Stake. If you want to see the live betting options, simply open any match that’s currently in play. These are shown at the top of the sportsbook. Live stats and scores are also provided, giving you a better insight into what’s happening. In addition, Stake covers lots of major Esports events and tournaments, with free live streams available.
FPS Betting Strategies & Tips
Follow the stats - It’s important to back up your picks with careful research. Don’t just bet on a team because they’re a favourite or a big name. Check the recent form and current rankings, as well as any roster changes. It’s also worth looking at the head-to-head record too.
Make the most of map betting - Some teams and players perform better on certain maps than others. Different strategies and play styles are often required on different maps. Use the map betting markets, such as map winner and correct map score, to make the most of this.
Understand the game mechanics - Before betting on any Esport, it’s important to familiarise yourself with the gameplay mechanics and rules. Don’t assume that just because you know one FPS game, you’ll know all the others too. Watch videos and try the game out for yourself to get an idea of how it works and what to expect.
FPS Betting Odds & Payouts Explained
Before you start betting on FPS games and other Esports, it’s important to understand how betting odds work. Our full guide offers all the details, but generally speaking, higher odds will mean a higher potential payout and a lower implied probability. It’s important to balance risk and reward when placing your bets and to know how to calculate your payouts. Remember, you can switch between decimal, fractional, and American odds.
Deposit & Withdrawal Methods for Betting on Esports
Payments should be as straightforward as possible, giving you more time to make your picks and enjoy the live streams. Here’s how to add funds and withdraw your winnings at Stake:
Deposits
Log in to your Stake account and choose the deposit option from the wallet.
You can deposit using a local currency and any of the supported payment methods if needed.
What’s more, Stake accepts a wide range of cryptocurrencies such as BTC, ETH, USDT, EOS, DOGE, LTC, TRX, and SOL.
Copy the provided address and use it as the “send to” location from your wallet or exchange.
It’s easy to deposit using Mesh, MoonPay , or Swapped.com too.
Store your coins in the Stake vault for security once they arrive.
Withdrawals
Sign in to your account.
Open your Stake wallet and choose the withdrawal option.
Select the payment method and enter the amount you want to withdraw.
If you’re using crypto, make sure the right crypto network is selected.
Double-check all the details before confirming the payment.
You can find out more information on how to purchase crypto and crypto gambling safety in our guides. If you have any issues while making payments, it’s also easy to find answers in the help center , or you can contact the customer support team.
Sports Betting Promotions, VIP Club & Responsible Gambling
Stake offers the best betting odds on a variety of Esports events, including all the most popular FPS games. What’s more, we also have some excellent sports betting promotions for you to enjoy. Make the most of our VIP Club too, which offers loyalty rewards such as regular rakeback, reload bonuses and your own VIP host. Find out how it works on the VIP FAQ page and remember to bet responsibly. Follow our Stake Smart guidelines to stay in control while enjoying Esports betting.
