StarCraft 2 is a sci-fi themed real-time strategy game (RTS) made by Blizzard, widely considered to be one of the best games ever made in its genre. Released in 2010, it served as both the sequel and the spiritual successor to the original StarCraft and the WarCraft games as well, and the base game and its expansion packs alike received critical acclaim. SC2 is free-to-play for everyone after Blizzard made the base game available in this format in November 2017.

StarCraft 2 story

It has been four years since StarCraft: Brood War, and once again the universe is under attack. The fight for domination is on with the three species all vying for ultimate control.

StarCraft 2 factions

These species are:

• Terran - humans

• Zerg - assimilated beings that are a super-species

• Protoss - they possess psionic powers and are technologically advanced

Each of these species, or factions, have unique strengths and weaknesses to consider in the game and different matchups across the board. Zergs are great at the early stages of the game and can decimate any unprepared opponent. Meanwhile, Terrans have the nastiest of tanks and their disposal and can make themselves nearly invulnerable in the late game. Which faction has the advantage also depends on many other factors like the map, the game settings and most importantly how good the player piloting them happens to be on any given day.

StarCraft 2 characters

Jim Raynor is back and this time he has formed a group to take down the Dominion Emperor, Arcturus Mengsk. Together with his old friend, Tychus, they work to free the local population they discover a rare and important artifact.

The Raiders work together on various missions to save humanity. With Mengsks’ son, Valerian, as a surprising yet helpful aid, they have a chance to overthrow the Dominion and save the world.

The story of StarCraft 2 is a big part of the game’s popularity and its enduring appeal among the players who didn’t delve into the massively daunting world of competitive play.

StarCraft 2 gameplay basics

StarCraft 2 is played in real-time. There are two ways to enjoy the game, via cinematic-style story or the versus mode. StarCraft 2 is also played professionally all over the world, most famously in South Korea, where the highest levels have been achieved. In fact, many say this game is what brought esports to the map in the first place – and with StarCraft 2 betting, the bookmakers came along for the ride. The StarCraft 2 world championship was often seen as the biggest esport event in the world and the best StarCraft 2 players were instant esports Hall of Fame members in the past.

To get started, choose your game mode: play through the cinematic campaign, challenge the computer in a head-to-head fight with Versus Mode, play co-op with a friend or dive into the dog-eat-dog world of multiplayer SC2.

Why bet on StarCraft 2?

Betting on StarCraft 2 matches is a great way to spice up your viewing experience. Throwing in a few bucks to cheer on your favorite player in the big match means you are all the more invested in the action. Staring at the base attacks has never been this exciting!

It also means you can put your money where your mouth is and test your predictions in a tangible way. Getting it right feels all the more special when it comes with a nice little bonus in the form of your winnings – and if you do happen to get it wrong, it’s all the incentive you need to further sharpen your skills with StarCraft 2 betting tips.

StarCraft 2 betting guide

Research always trumps instincts

We all love the movie magic moment of a big hunch and a legendary bet on the unexpected outcome which gets us fat stacks of cash. Profitable SC2 betting rarely works like that, though: since you are up against bookies and analysts who have done a ton of research, the only way to regularly best them is to do even more homework, not to just try and guess the outcome. Everyone would do it if it were that easy! Betting for fun is all well and good but if your goal is to make money betting, you need to understand the ins and outs of StarCraft 2 gameplay and the wider competitive scene alike. Having a good idea of what is actually going on also means you’ll have a better time following the tournament scene.

Pro player matchup history matters

StarCraft 2 is a 1v1 game in the competitive scene with many legendary players whose careers stretch back to the early days of esports. This means there’s quite a lot of data on specific player matchups and their tendencies, and unlike in the case of larger teams in games like League of Legends, there’s no turnover in personnel either: it’s the same two players fighting it out in the server, which means that this information is much more relevant than it would be in the case of some of the more popular esports titles. If a player has a 70% lifetime win rate against their opponents with a pretty large sample size, that’s something you should take seriously when it comes to StarCraft 2 betting.

Bet on players, not on in-game races

We all have our favorite StarCraft 2 race but let’s be real: neither of them is strictly superior to the other two. This means that you should base your betting decisions on factors different from the players’ preferred races and their matchups as there’s a lot more to consider in SC2 betting when it comes to the highest levels of competition and StarCraft 2 pro games.

Korean StarCraft 2 players are really as good as you’d think

It’s not just a meme. Respect our Korean overlords and never underestimate them in a StarCraft 2 match. South Korea has always been a hotbed of SC2 esports and their players are head and shoulders above the competition in many ways. It’s little more than a rule of thumb but it’s one you should keep in mind nevertheless: a Korean against a Westerner likely has a big starting edge to begin with. It’s no fluke that nine out of ten of the lifetime top prize money earners in StarCraft 2 hail from the peninsula, and the strength of local competition is a factor you must respect when looking to place a bet.

Form matters but expertise is just as important

Hot streaks happen in every competitive scene and it makes sense to factor them into your betting decisions: a player crushing the opposition left and right has a mental edge on the field up to a certain point. However, there is always a regression to the mean and overperforming players will eventually crash down to earth, sometimes in spectacular fashion. Balancing the equation between lifetime performances and recent form is a big part of placing good StarCraft 2 bets.

Why choose Rivalry: a regulated esports betting site

Rivalry is made by gamers for gamers to ensure that they can bet on StarCraft 2 and other games in a safe and regulated environment. Our Isle of Man Gaming License is one of the most reputable ones in the gambling industry and we constantly work on acquiring further country-specific ones to enhance our betting offerings over time.

Couple this with our awesome offerings like Rushlane and kickass contests for our customers and you can easily see why we’re confident that no other esports betting site can offer you that spicy Rivalry sauce.

We do esports betting differently than most:

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All of the Biggest Teams and Tournaments

As dedicated esports fans, we know how important it is to offer odds on events ranging from the second tier to the world championship series. You can place bets on any of the relevant tournaments on Rivalry.

Awesome deposit bonuses and free bets

We at Rivalry work tirelessly to offer a welcome bonus and other goodies that go above and beyond of the offerings of other betting sites. A free bet and other opportunities are just the start for us, with new bonuses coming up all the time!

We’ve got the Rivalry Sauce

We don’t call our games extra spicy for no reason: we’ve got all of the hottest action for you to spice up the games you already love, such as League of Legends, Dota 2, CS:GO and many others. Pour it all over SC2 and watch it heat up!

Ready to get in on all of the action of one of esports newest and most exciting games? Try StarCraft 2 betting on Rivalry today. Join now and your first bet is on the house—no strings attached.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is betting on StarCraft 2 legal?

Yes, betting on your favorite esports matches, including StarCraft 2 matches, at Rivalry is 100% legal. We are licensed and regulated under the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission.

How to bet on StarCraft 2?

It’s as easy as it gets – select the betting site of your choice, navigate to their StarCraft 2 markets, choose a match and predict its winner, then click confirm and you’re all good to go! Check out our wide range of StarCraft 2 betting offers – you’ll be sure to find something right up your alley!

Are there any bonuses for StarCraft 2 betting?

Yes, Rivalry offers a generous welcome bonus, so you can bet on your favorite SC2 matches.

Can you make money playing StarCraft 2?

Professional gaming has become a real career path over the years, and StarCraft was in many ways the pioneer of this for gamers around the world. Still, it’d be tough to argue that it is the greatest esport to go pro in at this stage, with Blizzard ceasing development and seasoned pros fighting for their slice in an ever-shrinking pie, even though StarCraft is still the fifth game in the all-time prize pool list at the time of writing. The SC2 tournaments scene is very mature at this point, with experienced veterans to go up against at every stage.

Is StarCraft 3 coming out?

Never say never – Blizzard returned to the Diablo franchise after many years so they might do the same with StarCraft if fan interest is there! Still, you can’t look past the fact that the RTS genre is no longer the top dog in esports and Blizzard has many other games on their plate, so don’t expect a sequel to StarCraft 2 anytime soon.

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