Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last six years, you’ve probably heard of Hearthstone. It’s a player vs player fantasy card game that was inspired by offerings like Magic: The Gathering. As the eSports industry has grown, the title has risen to the fore and become one of the most played games. It attracts a vast number of spectators and, therefore, is also highly suited to betting. Here’s everything you need to know before you start staking on games of Hearthstone.

What is Hearthstone?

Hearthstone is a fantasy card game from Blizzard Entertainment. It is based on World of Warcraft and features a number of characters from the MMORPG. The game has been available since 2014, and initially attracted players of World of Warcraft. However, it has risen to worldwide fame in recent years thanks to its establishing itself within the booming eSports industry. It is the most popular card game in the competitive gaming scene, and its events attract an average of 32,000 viewers each time. Just as with many other popular eSports, Hearthstone has a thriving betting scene.

Why do People Bet on Hearthstone?

Because there are enough elements of skill involved, bettors can make educated predictions about who may be victorious in any given game. But like most online card games, there are certain aspects of Hearthstone that come down to random number generation (RNG). For example, players create their own decks but have no control over the cards that they draw.

Due to the higher proportion of skill involved, professional players are able to rise to the top. Examples of skill are second-guessing what the other player might do, playing the game at an appropriate tempo, and selecting the right cards to play at the most opportune moments. In that sense, it is much more comparable to games like poker and chess than it is to blackjack.

Players are able to draw on a wide skillset to be able to give themselves a chance of prevailing in any given situation. With this in mind, knowledgeable followers of the game can have a good idea of who might win. This means that betting on Hearthstone is more strategic than luck-based.

Can You Bet Real Money on Hearthstone?

Some people may be wondering whether Hearthstone allows people to bet for real money or not. Because the game itself is not a gambling offering, questions arise as to how money could be involved. The answer is that yes, Hearthstone real money betting is a thing, in the same way that people can bet on sports like football and tennis for real money. Most of the bets available on Hearthstone are moneyline bets or outright match winners.

What are the Main Strategies for Hearthstone Betting?

When people bet on Hearthstone, there are a number of things that they need to consider. They can look at the players involved, examining their history and style of play. They can also assess the deckbuilding choices of these players. There are certain card types that fare better in particular matchups. This means that a lot of Hearthstone betting comes down to details that have been decided before the match begins.

As updates occur, such as buffs and nerfs on the cards, the meta changes. For example, a deck that may have been powerful in a previous patch may not be so strong anymore. For this reason, bettors need to have a good knowledge of the meta.

At the time of writing, a few decks are performing better than others in the meta. The best thing for bettors to do before staking on a game is to research the strongest decks at that time, whether it's Libram Paladin, Face Hunter, Token Druid, or another deck.

When there is a patch, the cards that the developer considers to be OP could be nerfed. This always brings about a shift in the meta, and savvy deck builders often use this opportunity to get ahead of their competition. It’s at this point in time that there is less certainty when it comes to betting on Hearthstone games.

Is Betting on Hearthstone Fair?

People who are new to betting on Hearthstone may be wondering whether it's fair. It could be compared to any other form of betting, such as on traditional sports or gambling games. It is completely fair in that players are able to make a choice and receive their winnings if their selections are correct. However, bettors need to understand that some instances of gameplay can be decided by RNG (Random Number Generator) technology.

Are Hearthstone Betting Sites Safe?

Anyone interested in using a Hearthstone betting site would be wise to use a reputable company with good reviews. There are other ways to check if the site is safe, though, as well. The easiest way to check is to look for the licenses on display. Players can also examine which payment methods are available. If well-known providers such as Visa and PayPal are offered, this can provide peace of mind.

How do Hearthstone Tournaments Work?

There are various types of Hearthstone tournaments, and some of these have different rules than others. Anyone betting on a tournament should read the stipulations of that event before staking any money. For instance, most Hearthstone games are contested by individual players. However, there are some competitions that allow for team play. There are also competitions that require people to face off against opposition team members over a number of games to see which team is the overall victor.

How to get into Hearthstone Tournaments?

Anyone interested in taking up Hearthstone in an effort to get into the professional gaming scene should first master the game in individual matchups online. Players who reach a certain level are able to qualify for tournaments. The top 32 legends on the in-game ladder in January qualify for the Masters each year. There are also some open Hearthstone tournaments arranged by players. These tend to be outside of the Hearthstone eSports betting scene.

What Other eSports Can You Bet On?

In addition to Hearthstone, almost every other eSport is available for betting on Rivalry. Some of the other most popular games to bet on include Counter-strike: Global Offensive, Call of Duty, Overwatch, League of Legends, and Dota 2. Various leagues take place throughout the year, and there are also major events in the eSports calendar that people can bet on.

Time to Get Started

If you feel like it's time for you to get in on the Hearthstone eSports betting scene, it's not hard to get started. The first thing to do would be to watch some games and get a feel for the action. You should also research the meta and find out which decks are the most powerful at any given time. Once you have familiarized yourself with the types of odds available, including fractional odds and decimal odds, you could start staking on some betting markets. At this stage, it would be wise to shop around for the best odds, and then watch how the games pan out via live streaming.

Some of the best Hearthstone events to stake on include Hearthstone Masters Tours and the Hearthstone World Championship. Putting some money on the games can add to the excitement of viewing.

One final point to make would be that actually playing the game can give some extra insight as to how to bet. By experiencing the meta for yourself, you can understand why some decks have a better chance of winning against others.

FAQs

Is betting on Hearthstone legal?

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

Are there any bonuses for Hearthstone betting?

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

Can I place in-play bets on Hearthstone?

At the current time, in-play bets on Hearthstone are usually not offered at Hearthstone betting sites. Some have speculated that this could change as betting on the game increases in popularity.

Can I bet on Hearthstone on my mobile device?

One of the reasons for Hearthstone's success was its availability on mobile devices. Many Hearthstone bettors log on from mobile so, yes, you can bet on Hearthstone on your mobile device.

Is Hearthstone a gambling game?

The game itself is not a gambling game, the people involved do not have to stake any of their own money on the events. However, there are prizes available to the victors in certain competitions.