Call of Duty is one of the most widely-played first-person shooter games and is known for being fiercely competitive. It’s no surprise that it has become a popular choice for esports betting. Thanks to its global player base and structured professional leagues, it offers an easy access point for both new and experienced bettors looking to get into esports.
The mechanics are simple and the gameplay happens fast, so you’re not likely to get bored or have trouble following every match. Whether you’re looking to bet on Call of Duty for the first time, or just getting started with esports, our guide will cover everything you need to know.
How CoD Esports Works
The Call of Duty competitive esports scene centers around the Call of Duty League (CDL). CDL features franchised teams from across North America and Europe. Seasons are divided into regular matches, the majors, then the playoffs, and that all culminates in the CDL Championship. The league is run by Activision and features 12 city-based teams, much like other professional sports. Each team is made up of pro players under contract.
Match Format
Matches are generally played in a best-of-five series, with different maps and modes. Each of the potential combinations requires different strategic approaches, where some teams are stronger than others. There are three main game modes that matches get played in, which are:
- Handpoint: Teams compete to keep control of a set location, earning points based on their success.
- Search & Destroy: In this tactical mode, teams have to work together to either plant or defuse a bomb while racing against the clock.
- Control: With aspects of both modes, Control offers a hybrid format with objectives to capture or defend, with no chance to respawn.
Season Format
The Call of Duty League season has a set structure, which is part of what makes CoD so popular among esports bettors. There are multiple stages that build up to a global championship, starting with qualifiers in mid-January each year. Here’s a breakdown below:
- Qualifiers: In January. The season kicks off with online qualifier matches that determine the seeding for the first Major. Every event also lets players rack up CDL points that will count towards their standings in the playoffs.
- Majors: From February to early July. There are usually four Majors cycles each season, which start with three weeks of online qualifiers. At the end, a different CDL team will host a LAN tournament. These matches directly impact player standings.
- Midseason Events: During the summer, there are one-off events that showcase different teams and players, but don’t reward any CDL Points. These include the Pro-Am Classic and All-Star Weekend, which both still attract betting attention.
- CDL Championship: In August. During the championship rounds, the top eight teams from the year compete for the CoD’s biggest title, and prize pool, of the year.
Every stage of the season impacts points, seeding and standings, so there’s consistent value in following the matches, whether you bet on futures or round-by-round.
How to Read Call of Duty Odds
While most punters are used to the American or “moneyline” format, decimal odds are the most common Call of Duty odds you’ll come across. Even though they look different, they’re straightforward; to calculate your wins, multiply your original stake by the decimal number to calculate your potential returns.
For you example, you might see the following odds for a CoD Match Winner bet:
Atlanta FaZe 1.80
Seattle Surge 2.50
At these odds, A $100 bet on Atlanta FaZe at 1.80 would return $180 and a $100 bet on Seattle Surge at 2.50 would return $250. The lower number typically indicates the favorite, whereas you can expect higher returns if the underdog wins.
Types of Bets
Betting on the match winner in Call of Duty is the moneyline, and it’s one of the simplest bets you can place. Sportsbooks offer a wide range of different bet types, whether you want to zero-in a specific props or make long-term future bets. Here’s a quick list of different markets you’ll find on CoD:
- Correct Score: Predict the final score of a match. These bets are tough to hit but offer great payouts.
- Futures: Just like traditional sports betting, there are futures bets on esports like CoD. You can bet on a team to make it to the playoffs or who will win the CDL Championship.
- Handicap Betting: In CoD, handicap betting either adds or subtracts maps from a team’s score to help level the playing field between teams.
- Map Winner: This bet allows you to pick which team or player will win a specific map. Some teams have weaknesses or favorite maps, so solid knowledge of team dynamics is key here.
- Match Winner: Bet on which team will win the match. This is easy and a great warm-up option if you’re new to CoD betting.
- Over/Under Maps: Bet on the total number of maps played in the match. These lines are usually set at 3.5; highly competitive matches usually drag into the over, but some end quickly with a blowout.
- Prop Bets: Bet on outcomes on the side, like first team to reach 100 points, total rounds, or total kills.
There’s tons of variety in Call of Duty betting that keeps things interesting, just make sure to pay attention to stats like team form, performance in the mode, and other factors when you’re comparing lines.
Where to Bet on Call of Duty
Esports betting is more popular now than in recent years, so you can find it at plenty of sportsbooks. The most important things to consider are:
- Does the sportsbook feature Call of Duty markets that interest you?
- How do their bonuses compare to other sportsbooks?
- How do their odds compare to other sportsbooks?
There are some operators that focus on esports and some that include it with all of their other options. Be sure to look for a platform that offers consistent coverage. Plus, sportsbooks that offer live-betting may be make or break if you like placing fast wagers as the action unfolds.
Call of Duty Betting Tips
If you’re a die-hard follower of Call of Duty’s pro league or just want to check out betting on esports for the first time, these tips can help you move forward with confidence.
- Understand the Meta: Call of Duty gets regular patches that can cause the ideal strategies to shift. Different weapons and perks could become more useful — and the strategies to use them necessary.
- Look for Real Value: If you’re trying to turn a profit, you may have to bet against your favorite teams and players sometimes. Make sure you compare odds and find the best value bets.
- Use Reliable Stats: Get your information from reliable sources. Stats like kill/death ratios, map win rates, and round-by-round performance are a big part of how you choose your bets. Make sure you’re using the best data.
- Manage Your Bankroll: Be sure to stick to a budget so you can stay in the game longer and reduce your risk.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced punters can slip up when betting on something as fast-paced as CoD. It’s important to keep an eye on how teams are actually playing and ignoring the hype. The biggest mistake our experts highlight is ignoring map pool knowledge. Every team has maps and modes where they perform better, so keep an eye on team form. Check team stats for each map when you go in. Watch matches so you know their strengths. That’s our best tip.
Conclusion
It’s easy to start betting on Call of Duty, especially thanks to its structured league format and non-stop action once the matches begin. Just like traditional sports betting, success in CoD comes down to research, timing, and a clear strategy.
With so many different ways to bet — map winners, props, and even Championship futures — there’s room for you to find your own approach and enjoy the dynamic environment of Call of Duty betting.
