Best Of Bets

Author: Best Of Bets

  • MOUZ Wins ESL Pro League Season 18

    MOUZ Wins ESL Pro League Season 18

    Yesterday, the last ever CSGO Pro League FInal took place with MOUZ and NAVI going head to head in a best of 5. Both teams played very well throughout their time in the tournament. However, they took very different paths to make it to the final. NAVI dominated in the group stage and quickly qualified for the quarter-final where they beat Eternal Fire 2-0. They then went on to face Monte in the Semis with another 2-0 win. This set expectations high for the finals… but MOUZ had a different plan.

    More: Counter-Strike 2: Premier Rank System Explained

    MOUZ Group Stages

    MOUZ ESPORTS

    In the group stages, MOUZ started with a 2-1 loss against MIBR. This put them in the Mid Bracket of Group B giving them another chance at the Playoffs. This is where the team rallied together and began one of the greatest runs in Pro League we’ve ever seen.

    The first match against Evil Geniuses was very close despite the 2-0 win. This put them in a match against HEROIC who are currently seeded 4th in the ESL rankings, where they again won 2-0. The final match MOUZ had to play in the Mid Bracket was against MIBR. This was the original team that beat them in the main group bracket. Again, MOUZ went on to beat MIBR 2-0, getting their revenge and going on to the Playoffs in the round of 16.

    MOUZ playoff run

    MOUZ entered the playoff in the Round of 16 alongside other teams who qualified through the Mid and Lower Brackets. A 2-0 win against FURIA Esports set them in good stead for the rest of the tournament. Although MOUZ is seeded above FURIA in the ESL rankings, they are still a formidable opponent with some of the best players in the world.

    Unfortunately, this was the end of the “easy” matches for MOUZ as every team they faced from here onwards was seeded above them with FaZe Clan up next in the Round of 12. With players like Ropz, Broky, and Karrigan, FaZe were expected to dominate MOUZ in a quick sweep, However, MOUZ came out the gates swinging with a 10-16 win in the first match and a 5-16 stomp in the second.

    In the quarter and Semifinals, MOUZ had to face the #2 and #3 seed teams with G2 Esports and ENCE. MOUZ went on to beat both teams 2-1 in a tough bout. In both of these series’ they won the first match giving them a confidence boost to take on these titans in a best of 3.

    MOUZ final against NAVI

    Counter-Strike 2 S1mple MOUZ

    NAVI is one of the top teams in the league. Although seeded 7th, players like S1mple, Aleksib, and JL boast a strong presence in any match. Despite all the odds in favor of NAVI, MOUZ didn’t lose a match with a 3-0 win in a best of 5.

    The first match on Inferno was close,  but MOUZ was able to pick up a lot of rounds on CT, allowing the team to test the waters when on the T side. The second match was a similar story. MOUZ picked up 11 rounds on CT meaning they only had to get 5 when it came to the T side. Unfortunately, NAVI didn’t really stand a chance here as it only took a few rounds to break their economy and pick up some easy wins.

    Finally, map 3 on Mirage went to overtime where MOUZ won 19-15 and didn’t drop a round in overtime. We can’t wait to see what MOUZ has in store for us in the future. With their success in Season 18, the organization has a chance to jump to the top.

    What’s next?

    With the release of Counter-Strike 2 mid-playoffs, it was unclear as to how ESL would proceed. Initially, the community believed they may make a switch to the new game and finish Season 18 on CS2. However, there were numerous issues with competitive integrity and match scoring that would’ve made it difficult for teams to compete.

    As of now, we are waiting for Season 19 of the ESL Pro League, and the next Major is set for March 2024 at PGL Copenhagen.

    Next: Gamers8 2023: Everything You Need To Know

  • Formula 1 | Tensions Rise at Japanese Grand Prix for Mercedes

    Formula 1 | Tensions Rise at Japanese Grand Prix for Mercedes

    The Japanese Grand Prix saw tensions arise between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and George Russell as the pair’s battle for intra-team supremacy continued.

    One week on from Marina Bay where the pair were both in a position to clinch a first race victory of 2023 – while they fought for lower positions this weekend – their radio calls appeared higher in intensity. 

    The events have placed a spotlight on the driver’s relationship, as despite not being in attendance, Team principal Toto Wolff was forced to intervene during the race.

    What could the Silver Arrows’ all-Brit rivalry mean for the team going forward?

    Embed from Getty Images

    Japan jostle

    Race day at Suzuka saw Hamilton start ahead of Russell for the first time since before F1’s summer break. 

    With their rivals appearing to have an Asian edge, the teammates found themselves close together throughout.

    Coming close to contact when Russell passed Hamilton into the chicane five laps into the race, Hamilton responded immediately by picking up a slipstream down the pit straight and sweeping around the outside of turn one. 

    The move felt like something of a statement from the seven-time world champion who left Russell bemused by his straight-line speed advantage. 

    Battle lines would continue as Russell looked to capitalise on Hamilton’s mistake at the second Degner corner. 

    As a result, both drivers would run wide at Spoon Curve, as Russell voiced his frustration over team radio. 

    The incident was clearly in the front of the young Brit’s thinking when the pair met on track in the races’ closing stages. 

    Team order tension

    With Mercedes opting to split their race strategy, Hamilton would close on Russell with fresher tyres during the closing stages in Japan.

    Consequently, the pair were in danger of both losing a position to last week’s race winner Carlos Sainz.

    Hamilton found himself being held up by his teammate for the second week running, eventually prompting a call from the team to reverse the positions.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Russell had requested that Hamilton aid him by staying close in front to provide a tow and DRS, a trick used against him in Singapore by Sainz. 

    Related: Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    However, Mercedes decided to overrule this request with Hamilton clearly feeling he had lost time and a potential shot at fourth place. 

    This is not the first time that Russell has attempted to assert his dominance by making unorthodox decisions and radio calls.

    Zandvoort 2021 saw the Kings Lynn driver pit for fresh tyres, leaving Hamilton to defend the lead on worn rubber and eventually overtaking him on track.  

    Mercedes’ hope to challenge for race wins again next season but in-team issues might yet intervene.

    Future fallout

    In-house friction is no strange bedfellow to Mercedes in the past, and it could threaten to derail team progress.

    Between 2023-2016, a strong dynamic between Hamilton and former teammate Nico Rosberg ended in acrimony as the two battled for the title.  

    As tensions boiled, friends became foes.

    With a still green Russell looking to make his mark, whilst also seeking to secure his future as team leader, will history repeat itself? 

    Embed from Getty Images

    Hamilton himself will be determined to re-claim the championship that he and many others felt was stolen from him in 2021.

    For now, harmony remains, but as season reaches its climax over the coming weeks, the gloves at Mercedes could yet come off.

     

    Click here for a free bet to use when F1 resumes for the Qatar GP in two weeks time. 

    Claim odds of 33/1 for Lewis Hamilton to clinch a race win in 2023 with William Hill.

     

    Next: Williams’ Albon Thriving in Team Leader Role

  • CSGO ESL Pro League: Season 18 Playoffs Overview

    CSGO ESL Pro League: Season 18 Playoffs Overview

    The CSGO ESL Pro League Season 18 Playoffs are finally here! Only 16 teams remain with 4 teams already into the Quarterfinal stage. Over the next week, these teams will face on in best of 3 elimination matches to decide who is the best team in the league.

    Here’s everything you need to know about the Season 18 playoffs…

    Teams qualified

    Right now, there are 16 teams in the Playoffs with 8 teams competing in the round of 16. Although this may seem confusing, there are already 4 teams qualified for the round of 12 and another 4 in the Quarterfinals. The image below helps to illustrate this:

    csgo ESL Season 18 Playoffs

    Here’s a full list of the qualified teams:

    • Fnatic
    • Monte
    • Astralis
    • Eternal Fire
    • Virtus.pro
    • 9z Team
    • Mouz Esports
    • FURIA Esports
    • Complexity
    • BIG
    • Movistar Riders
    • FaZe Clan
    • Team Vitality
    • Natus Vincere (NAVI)
    • ENCE
    • G2 Esports

    As we can see, there are some household names here with NAVI, Team Vitality, and Fnatic. However, there are also a few names you may not recognise if you’re not deep in the CS:GO Esports scene.

    9z Team has been performing very well with consecutive wins at B-Tier tournaments such as the CCT South America Series #8 and KaBuM! Legends. both taking place earlier this year in July. Unfortunately, when it comes to A-Tier tournaments, the team has had multiple Semi-Final finishes, narrowly losing out to Virtus.pro, FURIA Esports, and Team Spirit.

    Movistar Riders is another team that performs very well at B-Tier tournaments, however, recently they have pulled through when it comes to top-end tournaments and majors with a win at ESL Challenger at DreamHack Melbourne 2023. We can’t wait to see who they face in the Round of 12.

    Current matches

    At the moment, only 4 matches are decided in the Round of 16, this is due to the tournament structure immediately qualifying teams into the Round of 12 and Quarterfinals.

    The matches currently scheduled are:

    • Fnatic v Monte
    • Astralis v Eternal Fire
    • Virtus.pro v 9z Team
    • MOUZ v FURIA Esports

    If you want to watch these matches live, tune in to the ESL CSGO Twitch on September 26th, with the first match starting at 14:30 BST. Although the teams here are not necessarily the “best”, the path they have taken to get here is very interesting.

    For example, Monte had to go head to head against HEROIC, a team seeded #4 in the CS:GO World Ranking. Similarly, MOUZ beat Evil Geniuses, HEROIC, and MIBR in their mid-bracket run to make it to the Round of 16.

    Astralis is currently the highest-seeded team (#8) in the Round of 16. It’s likely we will see them progress into the Quarterfinals to play NAVI if they can beat Eternal Fire and BIG.

    CSGO ESL Pro League: Top four teams

    There are 2 ways to determine the top 4 teams currently competing in the Season 18 playoffs, however, no matter how you look at it, you will find the same teams at the top.

    When can look at the top 4 teams that immediately qualified for the Quarterfinals, we find some absolute powerhouse organisations; Team Vitality, Natus Vincere, ENCE, and G2 Esports. If we compare this to the current seeding ladder, it becomes obvious as to why these 4 teams specifically made it to this point in the tournament.

    csgo ESL season 18 playoffs

    When we look at the World Rankings, the top 4 teams currently remaining in the CSGO ESL Pro League have all made it to the playoffs. The only outlier here is NAVI. Everyone expected HEROIC to go much further in this tournament, however, S1mple and his team have dominated in the group stages to get to the playoffs.

    We will have to wait and see who makes playoffs (final 4 teams) but it will be interesting to see if any of these 4 teams don’t make it through to the Semi-Finals.

     

  • Counter-Strike 2 Release Date: Shroud’s Opinion, Possible Delays, and More!

    Counter-Strike 2 Release Date: Shroud’s Opinion, Possible Delays, and More!

    The release of Counter-Strike 2 is right around the corner. Although the player base has noted numerous issues with the current early access model of the game, there are a plethora of reasons why this may not affect the previously announced Counter-Strike 2 release date of “Summer 2023”.

    Here’s all you need to know…

    Counter-Strike 2 Release Date

    counter-strike 2 release date

    Since Valve’s official announcement back in March, little has been said about the release date of Counter-Strike 2. As we know, CS2 is set to release in “Summer 2023”. We are now getting to the tail end of this time period with September 30th technically being the last day of the Summer season.

    As Valve hasn’t made an announcement yet, many players are assuming the game will be released within the next 10 days. However, a large proportion of the player base is making assumptions about a possible delay.

    Counter-Strike 2 Release Date Delay?

    As many players have pointed out, the early access version of CS2 can be a little buggy at times. With some hit reg issues and a lot of cheaters at the top end of the Premier ladder, the current Counter-Strike 2 experience may not live up to expectations. Although it may seem like a delay to the release of CS2 is inevitable, there are a few good reasons as to why this may not be the case.

    In a recent clip from a stream, Shroud explains why the early access build is buggy and how this may not affect the release of CS2.

    Shroud Explains the State of Early Access

    Embed from Getty Images

    Shroud is one of the biggest streamers on Twitch and used to play CS:GO professionally for Cloud9. During one of his streams, he explained why there are so many issues with the early access version of CS2.

    Essentially, Valve is currently working on 2 different versions of the game. The first version is the early access build and the second is the full release build. The developers will use the early access version to iterate on bugs and features whilst also implementing them into the final version. This lets them keep much of the final version a secret with lots of features still yet to be announced.

    It’s possible we are currently playing on a build of the game that is weeks old. This means a lot of the current issues have probably been amended and the full game will be released soon.

    Early Access

    If you want to play CS2 now, you’ll need to get an early access invitation. There are a few criteria to hit before this happens – here’s everything you’ll need:

    • Prime status on Steam account
    • Competitive rank on CS:GO
    • A good Trust Factor
    • Recent Playtime on Valve official servers

    Prime status is easy to purchase through Steam. If you previously purchased CS:GO before the game went free-to-play, you will already have Prime. Getting a competitive rank requires players to get 10 wins. This is easy to do with a group of friends, or on your own if you can take on the challenge. Finally, having a good trust factor requires players to finish matches without leaving, and be a good teammate.

  • Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    Formula 1 | Singapore Grand Prix Thrills as Red Bull Struggle

    The Singapore Grand Prix was a reminder of the excitement Formula 1 can deliver when the playing field is leveled for Red Bull Racing.

    Was Team principle Christian Horner correct in his insistence that FIA’s clampdown on flexible bodywork had no impact to the team’s performance this weekend? It appears suspicious that such a dramatic decline in pace should come directly following this rule change. Nevertheless, fans were treated to a rare five-car battle for the lead in Sunday’s thriller, nearer to expectations heading into the season. 

    Embed from Getty Images

    Red Bull’s rotten week

    It’s fair to say, it was a week to forget for Red Bull, both on and off track. Even before arriving at Marina Bay, the Milton Keynes outfit dominated the headlines for all the wrong reasons. Following Dr. Helmut Marko’s incendiary comments, Red Bull’s Advisor to the Team appeared to blame Sergio Perez’ poor performances on his ethnicity. The FIA were under heavy pressure to act throughout the week, and finally reprimanded the 80-year-old. However, many felt his punishment lacked severity.

    Ryanair Join Debate Surrounding Helmut Marko On Social Media

    Red Bull have been untouchable throughout 2023, but sentiment of this kind threatens to divert attention away from their stellar season. 

    No flexi-wings, no pace

    Christian Horner was staunch in defence of his team’s compliance with F1 rules this weekend. This came following an FIA technical directive ahead of the Singapore to control the flexibility of aerodynamic parts. Horner’s comments were, by and large, echoed by team principles across the paddock.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Many appeared to dismiss the idea that Red Bull could suffer such a sudden decline following a small rule tweak. However, fans can be forgiven for thinking the team have been pegged back judging by their weekend performance.

    Related: Relentless Verstappen Bent On Season Dominance

    After both cars failed to make Q3 after electing not to pit under an early safety car, Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez found themselves tumbling down the order. Remarkably, Singapore was the first time the Dutchman has been passed on track this season. The true impact of the rule change on Red Bull’s performance won’t be measured until Japan next weekend. Regardless, the Austrian manufacturer can still clinch their second consecutive constructors title at Suzuka.

    Rivals’ gain

    As the top dogs floundered, the chasing pack wasted no time in capitalising. Following a Virtual Safety Car period, Sunday’s race exploded into life, prompting Mercedes to pit both their cars with fresh tyres. As the pressure piled on Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, both George Russell and Lewis Hamilton charged toward the leaders, with the latter the faster of the pair.

    Embed from Getty Images

    As Russell struggled to make progress behind Lando Norris, Hamilton was vocal on the radio in his attempts to hurry his teammate along. Pressures of the seven-time champion then saw Russell eventually crash on worn tires during the final lap, after clipping a wall. Sainz cruised home to victory ahead of Norris, as Hamilton trundled home to claim a 196th career podium. Mercedes are now approaching their ideal set-up; inevitably, disharmony between the Brit duo could now appear. The relationship may become truly tested if wins become a more frequent possibility.

     

    Click here for a free bet on Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix.

    Claim odds of 16/1 with William Hill for Carlos Sainz to repeat his Singapore victory at Suzuka.

     

    Next: Williams’ Albon Thriving In Team Leader Role

  • When is the First Counter-Strike 2 Major?

    When is the First Counter-Strike 2 Major?

    Counter-Strike 2 early access is well underway, with the majority of the player base thoroughly enjoying the new features and changes. As we move closer to the release of the full game, questions are now circulating around the first major in CS2 and when we can expect to see the pros going all out to win the first title in this new version of Counter-Strike.

    Here’s all you need to know about the first Counter-Strike 2 Major…

    Related: Gamers8 2023: Everything You Need To Know

    PGL Copenhagen 2024

    As of now, the first planned CS2 Major is set for March 2024. This is not that far away considering Counter-Strike 2 hasn’t fully released yet. PGL Copenhagen 2024 will be the first to host the new title from Valve, but is this the end of CS:GO? Most likely, yes. Valve is looking to move all their efforts towards CS2 with PGL Copenhagen being the turning point for the series in Esports.

    Although the tournament in 2024 will be the first time CS2 is played in a “Major” tournament, recently we got a look at the pros competing at a high level during some smaller events.

    Recent Counter-Strike 2 Tournaments

    The “first” Counter-Strike 2 tournament took place back in March of this year during a Show Match at the ESL Pro League. This match saw pros from ENCE and Heroic playing alongside each other with some other familiar faces. Although this wasn’t particularly competitive, it gives us a good idea of what we can expect from the PGL Copenhagen tournament next year.

    Other recent Counter-Strike 2 tournaments include:

    Making the Transition

    With the first Major set for March 2024 a lot of Global Offensive players are wondering what will happen to the game once CS2 releases. Unfortunately, there is no official news available now. However, Valve stated that CS2 will be a “free upgrade” to CS:GO. This wording suggests that Global Offensive will be replaced with CS2 when the game launches.

    Additionally, the same can be said for tournaments and majors. As soon as CS2 releases, we are unlikely to see any competitive tournaments held in CS:GO as the game will be replaced with Counter-Strike 2.

    Counter-Strike 2 Release Date

    counter-strike 2 premier ranks

    Although we don’t have a solid date as of yet, we can expect to see Counter-Strike 2 release very soon. The original post from Valve stated that the game will be released in “Summer 2023” which could mean as late as September 30th with the winter season starting on October 1st. With more and more players getting access to CS2 it seems Valve is on track to meet this date, however, we can expect to see delays if the developers are not happy with the state of the game.

    As a great man once said, “A delayed game is eventually good, a rushed game is bad forever”. Over the last few years, we’ve seen a lot of AAA titles release too soon, trying to capitalise on certain holiday periods. It’s clear Valve wants to make CS2 as good as possible with updates every week based on community feedback and internal testing.

    Next: London Royal Ravens Move to Carolina

  • Formula 1 | Singapore Hope as Chasing Pack Look to Thwart Red Bull

    Formula 1 | Singapore Hope as Chasing Pack Look to Thwart Red Bull

    The Singapore Grand Prix has delivered some thrilling Formula 1 races in recent years and last year’s event was no exception.

    Sergio Perez fought off Charles Leclerc to take victory, capitalising on teammate Max Verstappen’s lowly grid position.

    Looking a little further back in history, 2017’s rain-soaked start saw Sebastian Vettel swerve off the line, colliding with Kimi Raikkonen and Verstappen, to end the race for all three drivers. 

    Embed from Getty Images

    The Asian stop has also seen its fair share of controversy too.

    2008 saw Renault instruct Nelson Piquet JR to crash, ultimately allowing teammate Fernando Alonso to pit under the resulting safety car and set himself up for victory. 

    Jumping back to the present, during a season where Red Bull look to sweep the board, the streets of Singapore present an opportunity for the chasers to break the team’s dominance.  

    But who could make a statement in Sunday’s Grand Prix?

    Hungry Hamilton

    Four-time winner in Singapore, Lewis Hamilton, returns eager for another victory to back up his season form.

    The seven-time champion has fond memories of Marina Bay and 2018 saw the Briton deliver one of his most complete pole laps in a struggling Mercedes that weekend.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Hamilton, one race win from equalling the record for Singapore victories, will be keen to play on the strengths of his Mercedes. 

    Related: Mercedes’ Hamilton Keen to Continue Season Momentum

    High downforce circuits have seen the team’s most competitive performances this season.

    Hamilton claimed pole in Budapest and was P2 in Barcelona – a double podium for the Silver Arrows. 

    At a circuit he thrives on, the Stevenage driver will hope to break his on-going and rather thorny drought.

    Leclerc lurks

    Charles Leclerc was at the centre of much of the entertainment last time out at Monza.

    His battles with Perez and teammate Carlos Sainz had the Tifosi on the edge of their seats at the Temple of Speed.

    Leclerc will have been disappointed at being unable to challenge the pace of Verstappen, restricted to fight for the lower steps on the podium.

    However, the Monegasque driver will have been encouraged that his Ferrari was the second quickest car.

    Embed from Getty Images

    Singapore’s twisty street circuit presents an alternative challenge to Italy and Leclerc has performed strongly on similar high downforce layouts this season.

    Baku saw him convert pole into a podium finish, with a similarly strong result in Canada. 

    The Ferrari driver will hope to replicate his pace from 2022 here, when he pushed Perez closely throughout to finish as eventual runner-up.

    Notwithstanding, Leclerc will be wary of better performing teams around him.

    Alonso hopes

    Marina Bay presents Fernando Alonso with another opportunity to win in 2023. 

    At the Monaco GP, the Spaniard had a chance to leapfrog Verstappen to take the lead had his team opted to pit a lap earlier. 

    Embed from Getty Images

    Despite missing out on the win, it was Aston Martin’s most competitive showing of the season.

    The similarity between the two circuits will offer encouragement to Alonso, who is winless since 2013. 

    With second place at Zandvoort recently, there is every chance both the team and Alonso can compete at the front end of the grid this weekend. 

     

    Click here for a free bet on this weekend’s Singapore grand Prix

    Use a free bet to Claim odds of 18/1 for Alonso to win the Singapore Grand Prix

     

    Next: Albon Thriving In William’s Team Leader Role

  • Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test: How to get Access

    Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test: How to get Access

    The Counter-Strike 2 limited test is now available to a lot of the Counter-Strike player base. Unfortunately, there are a few requirements you will need to fulfill before being sent an invitation to this next-gen version of Counter-Strike. In this guide, we will cover everything players need to consider to gain access to the CS2 limited test – from the small factors to the essential Steam account details.

    Here’s everything you need to know…

    Related: Gamers8 2023: Everything You Need To Know

    Getting a Competitive Rank in CS:GO

    counter-strike 2 CS:GO comparison

    To begin, players need to gain a competitive matchmaking rank in CS:GO. It doesn’t matter if this is Silver 1 or Global Elite, getting a rank will help to show that you actively play Counter-Strike.

    Although the community has made assumptions about higher ranks getting access first, this is not the case. Valve wants a wide variety of players to try the game as this gives a more realistic player base to test the early access version of the game.

    Play Time

    Playtime is probably the biggest factor when it comes to the players who still don’t have access. With all the recent news, a lot of players are jumping on CS:GO to get a matchmaking rank and then hoping for the best. If you want a much better chance, you can simply play a few more games in the following days to show Valve a commitment to the game. It’s also good to know that this doesn’t necessarily take into account your total playtime, but your recent hours in live Counter-Strike servers.

    Unfortunately, there is no black-and-white cut-off for how much you should play, however, it will only help your chances of gaining access to the limited test.

    Counter-Strike 2 Limited Test Regions

    Players must also play in a region where CS2 is available. As of now, this is most of the world including NA, EU, AS, OCE, and SA. Although this looks simple, players must play the majority of their games on ONE of these servers. Switching between NA and SA (for example) to complete your matches will not help you get access to the limited test.

    Valve are constantly releasing updates on the release on the limited test and regional updates, so keep an eye on the Steam page or the Counter-Strike web page for more info.

    Prime Status

    This feature was introduced to Counter-Strike back in 2018 when the game went free-to-play. This meant anyone could play the game without needing to purchase a copy from Steam. However, this meant Valve had to cater to the community that had already purchased CS:GO. These players gained something called Prime Status.

    Prime Status essentially gives the account a higher priority when it comes to matchmaking. Now, it will also prioritise the account for access to the Counter-Strike 2 limited test.

    Counter-Strike Account Standing

    Account Standing is essential for access to the limited test. If a player has a VAC ban on their account (ban for cheating) it is very unlikely they will get access to CS2 until the game is fully released. Recently, a lot of top-end and pro players have found cheaters in CS2, meaning Valve will likely crack down on this issue with a harsh improvement to the new anti-cheat software.

    Next: Esports Team Profile: Team Vitality

  • CS2: Top 5 Pros in Counter-Strike 2

    CS2: Top 5 Pros in Counter-Strike 2

    The release of Counter-Strike 2 is right around the corner, with many fans getting access through an early invitation from Valve. The Pros are beginning to make the transition from Global Offensive to this new competitive medium of CS2 with an updated engine, graphics, and gameplay features.

    At a basic level, Counter-Strike 2 is effectively the same game as its predecessor, CS:GO, meaning we will probably see the same names in the pro scene at the first major tournament. Right now, there are a few names standing out from the rest. Here are the top 5 professional players in CS2.

    Related: London Royal Ravens Move to Carolina

    Ropz

    CS2 Ropz

    Full Name: Robin Kool

    Nationality: Estonia

    Current Team: FaZe Clan

    Role: Rifler (Lurker)

    Total Winnings: $1,181,327

    Ropz spent years trying to conquer CS:GO. Through cheating accusations and tough tournaments, this incredible player’s talent shone through even at times when his team fell short. A win at the PGL Antwerp Major in 2022 set his name in stone as one of the greatest to ever touch the Counter-Strike franchise.

    Robin Cool represents a new generation of CS players. He started playing at 15 and found inspiration watching tournaments and saw that the original players starting to get… “old”. With a start making content in Call of Duty and the original Count-Strike, he showed he was able to compete with the best through Faceit.

    Ropz now competes alongside his FaZe clan teammates and dominates the pro scene, whilst creating awesome content on both YouTube and Twitch.

    broky

    Counter-Strike 2 broky

    Full Name: Helvijs Saukants

    Nationality: Latvia

    Current Team: FaZe Clan

    Role: AWPer

    Total Winnings: $827,615

    If you’re a fan of Counter-Strike, it’s likely you will have heard broky’s name. He broke onto the pro scene at only 19 and quickly became one of the most dominant players in the game. As an AWPer, he plays his best in clutch situations where every shot counts. However, before he made a name at the top of the professional ladder, he was dominating in lower-tier CS tournaments and Faceit games.

    Like many other Counter-Strike pros, broky began to make a name playing in local tournaments and competing for amateur teams such as Wolfsung Esports, a Latvian team.

    Broky now plays alongside Ropz on FaZe Clan‘s roster. The team recently won the Intel Grand Slam Season 4 and the ESL Pro League Season 17. We can’t wait to see this young star transfer over to CS2 and show off some of his incredible skills in this new era of Counter-Strike.

    ZywOo

    CS2 ZywOo

    Full Name: Mathieu Herbaut

    Nationality: France

    Current Team: Team Vitality

    Role: AWPer

    Total Winnings: $811,974

    ZywOo may be the fastest-growing player in Counter-Strike history… maybe even the history of Esports. The French Counter-Strike scene quickly became a force to be reckoned with and names like Kenny S and screaM put the French rosters on the map. However, constant news of internal problems led to a lot of teams collapsing the the French scene became stagnant and changes were simply a case of “too little, too late”.

    This left a vacuum in France for small teams to fill. This is where ZywOo made his name. Hailed as “The Chosen One” expectations were extremely high for him to be the best of the best and compete at the top.

    It’s safe to say the recent dominance of Team Vitality at the BLAST.tv Paris Major and Gamers8 2023 has cemented ZywOo as one of the GOATs of Counter-Strike.

    m0NESY

    Counter-Strike 2 m0NESY

    Full Name: Ilya Osipov (Илья Осипов)

    Nationality: Russia

    Current Team: G2 Esports

    Role: AWPer

    Total Winnings: $393,022

    m0NESY plays for G2 Esports, one of the biggest organizations in Esports to date. However, the young pro started playing on the NAVI junior roster and was expected to join the main roster alongside S1mple. Unfortunately, Ilya had other plans to define his own path.

    The Russian pro was quickly told he would be the next S1mple. Although this may be a lot of pressure, he was confident in his skills. As a Global Elite at age 10, it’s easy to see why.

    S1mple

    CS2 S1mple

    Full Name: Oleksandr Kostyljev (Олександр Олегович Костилєв)

    Nationality: Ukraine

    Current Team: NAVI (Natus Vincere)

    Role: AWPer

    Total Winnings: $1,708,047

    S1mple is quite literally the greatest Counter-Strike player ever. When S1mple joined NAVI, he began to grow as one of the best and in 2020 he was expected to win his first Major tournament alongside a dominant roster. Unfortunately, the COVID lockdown put a halt to this chance and the community thought it may be over for him.

    This couldn’t be more wrong. During PGL Stockholm 2021, S1mple dominated G2 in the finals with a 2-0 win. He then went on to win the BLAST Premier Fall Finals and the World Finals in that same year.

    NAVI and S1mple will return in CS2, but only time will tell if he can continue to be the GOAT of Counter-Strike.

    Next: Esports Team Profile: Fnatic

  • Counter-Strike 2: Premier Rank System Explained

    Counter-Strike 2: Premier Rank System Explained

    Valve just released a new batch of Counter-Strike 2 invitations to the CS:GO player base. Essentially, if you have a rank (e.g. Gold Nona) and Prime status you should now have access to CS2 early access. As CS:GO is one of the biggest Esports titles, there are a lot of players trying to get their hands on the game.

    With this, comes a range of new updates including a complete overhaul to the map Inferno and a brand new Premier rank system. This system completes shakes up the standard Counter-Strike formula, with a structure that resembles the Faceit model.

    If this system is a little overwhelming or confusing, don’t worry, it is! Here’s everything you need to know.

    Related: Gamers8 2023: Everything You Need To Know

    New Premier Rank System

    counter-strike 2 premier ranks

    Counter-Strike 2 features a brand new competitive rank system, also known as MMR (Matchmaking Rank). This uses a number-based system rather than the original CS:GO method of separated ranks.

    Here is the current setup for the Premier Ranks:

    • 0-4,999 – Grey
    • 5,000-9,999 – Light Blue 
    • 10,000-14,999 – Blue
    • 15,000-19,999 – Purple
    • 20,000-24,999 – Pink
    • 25,000-29,999 – Red
    • 30,000-35,000 – Gold

    Although this coloring system is new to the ranks of Counter-Strike, it takes inspiration from the quality seen in items of CS:GO.

    If you still prefer the original ranking system, don’t worry, it is still implemented in CS2, but in a slightly different way. There will be a “competitive” mode separate from “premier” that will still allow players to choose which map they play. However, instead of having an overall rank, the player will have a rank for each map.

    For example, players can exclusively play Mirage in the competitive mode and reach Global Elite but will still be Silver in other maps like Vertigo or Inferno. Remember… this does not affect the new Premier ranks as they are in their own game mode.

    Comparison to CS:GO

    counter-strike 2 CS:GO comparison

    At a glance, it may seem like there are fewer ranks in CS2 when transferring over from CS:GO. The immediate assumption here is that it is far easier to rise through the ranks, however, this is not the case.

    Valve has restructured the original ranks to cater to the top end of the player base allowing for more diversity in skill when climbing the ranks. Here’s a quick breakdown of the new premier ranks compared to the old CS:GO system:

    • Silver – Grey
    • Gold Nova – Light Blue 
    • Master Guardian – Blue
    • DMG/LE – Purple
    • LEM – Pink
    • Supreme Master First Class – Red
    • Global Elite – 30,000-35,000 – Gold

    Although the above has not been confirmed, this is simply an assumption based on the information provided by Valve. This structure condenses all of the Silver and Gold Nova ranks into 2 colors, prioritizing the ranks at the top end and giving players further breathing room to grow.

    It will be interesting to see top teams such as Team Vitality getting their placement in Premier and compare it to their CS:GO ranks.

    Are Counter-Strike 2 Premier Ranks Better?

    The big question on everyone’s mind is; “Are premier ranks better?”. Right now, it’s unclear. The community has mixed opinions on the current system which is absolutely understandable as it is a massive change on a system that hasn’t changed in over a decade.

    In general, this should be good for the majority of the player base. However, the Premier system definitely needs some fine-tuning before it is perfected. Additional changes to gameplay also shake up the meta making it difficult to assess the current situation.

    So… what do you think of this new system? Let us know on Twitter (X.com) at @BestOfBetsUK.

    Next: London Royal Ravens Move to Carolina