“First Map / Match” in Esports Sports Betting refers to a bet placed on the outcome of either the first map (or game) or the entire match, depending on how the bookmaker presents the market.
Here’s a breakdown of what each means:
First Map Betting
- You’re betting on which team will win the first map of the series.
- It doesn’t matter who wins the full match — only the result of Map 1 counts.
- Popular in games like CS:GO, Valorant, Dota 2, and League of Legends.
Example:
- Match: Team A vs Team B (Best of 3)
- First Map Bet: Team A to win Map 1
- Result:
- Team A wins Map 1 → You win
- Team A loses Map 1 → You lose (even if they win the full match)
Match Winner Betting
- You are betting on the team that wins the entire match (e.g., Bo3 or Bo5).
- All maps are considered; the winner is the first team to win the required number of maps.
Example:
- Best of 3 Series:
- Team A wins 2–1 → Match Winner: Team A
- Bet on Team A wins
Important Notes:
- Always check whether the market is for “First Map” or “Match Winner” — they are not the same.
- First Map bets are often settled faster since they only depend on the first part of the match.
- Odds may differ significantly between the two markets.
If you’re unsure which type you’re betting on, check the market label:
- “Map 1 Winner” = First Map
- “Match Winner” = Entire Match
Let me know if you’d like examples with a specific game like CS:GO or Dota 2.