The International Betting Guide: How to Bet on Dota 2's Biggest Event

The International is the crown jewel of competitive Dota 2 — a tournament that regularly features the largest prize pools in esports history. For bettors, TI betting represents the most exciting period of the year, with deep markets, volatile odds, and massive public interest driving liquidity across every major sportsbook. Whether you've bet on Dota 2 for years or this is your first event, the international dota 2 betting season offers unmatched opportunities.

This guide covers everything you need to know about the international odds, the best sportsbooks for TI coverage, and strategies to find value during the group stage and playoffs. With the right preparation, TI betting can be the most profitable window of the entire Dota 2 competitive year.

Best Sportsbooks for TI Betting

Understanding The International Format

The International typically features 16 to 20 teams competing across a group stage followed by a double-elimination playoff bracket. The group stage determines seeding and is where sharp bettors often find the most value — the international odds during groups tend to be softer as bookmakers adjust to early form. Outright winner markets open months before the event and shift dramatically as teams qualify and bootcamp results leak.

Key TI betting markets include outright tournament winner, match winner, map handicap, total maps, first blood, and various kill-based propositions. During the grand final, some sportsbooks expand to 20+ markets per map. Live in-play betting during TI is particularly rewarding given the long match durations and dramatic momentum swings that characterize high-stakes Dota 2. You can track team form and roster changes on Liquipedia's TI page.

TI Betting Strategies

Value at The International often lies in the group stage, where information asymmetry is highest. Teams arrive with new strategies after weeks of private bootcamps, and early matches frequently produce upsets that the odds don't account for. Watch for teams with historically strong TI performances — some squads consistently peak for this event regardless of their DPC season results.

As the tournament progresses into the upper and lower brackets, odds tighten significantly. Lower bracket runs are a Dota 2 tradition, so don't discount eliminated teams from the upper bracket — they often rally through the lower bracket with adapted strategies. Studying match analysis techniques and keeping up with the full tournament calendar will sharpen your TI betting edge.

Common TI Betting Mistakes

The hype around The International leads many bettors to overvalue fan-favorite teams. Dota 2 TI predictions should be based on recent form, bootcamp leaks, and scrim results — not on past glory. A team that won TI two years ago with a different roster offers no inherent edge today. Similarly, avoid betting heavily on outright markets too early; roster changes, visa issues, and last-minute substitutions can shift the international odds dramatically in the weeks before the event.

Another frequent error is ignoring lower bracket dynamics. Bet on TI with the understanding that elimination bracket teams have nothing to lose and often play more aggressively. The historical data shows that lower bracket finalists win The International roughly a third of the time — a probability that odds markets consistently underestimate.

Bet on The International

Ready to place your TI bets? Start by selecting a sportsbook with comprehensive Dota 2 coverage from our best Dota 2 betting sites. For insights on which squads have the edge this year, check our analysis of the best Dota 2 teams to bet on.