Hearthstone betting: Your ultimate beginner’s guide
Hearthstone may have been released a decade ago, but its popularity shows no signs of letting up. In fact, as online esports betting has come to the fore, there’s been a resurgence in interest in this competitive collectible card game – with casual bettors and experienced gamblers alike keen to take advantage of the excellent odds and markets this unique game has to offer.
Before you go anywhere near a Hearthstone wagering slip, though, there’s a fair amount to get to grips with. Hearthstone presents a steep learning curve for even the most diligent users of the
best esports betting apps, so I’d recommend undertaking a little research and preparation before you begin.
To help with that, here’s my no-nonsense, beginner-friendly guide to esports betting on Hearthstone.
What is Hearthstone?
Hearthstone is a competitive collectible card game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment in 2014. Originally called “Heroes of Warcraft”, the game shares the same lore as the beloved Warcraft franchise, including the same characters, relics, and elements found in the high fantasy world of Azeroth.
OK, so that’s basically the easy part over with. Explaining the rules of Hearthstone alone is beyond complicated, so bear with me while I give it a go…
What are the rules of Hearthstone?
Hearthstone is a turn-based, competitive collectible card game, wherein two players face off against one another. Each player selects a “Hero” from one of eleven classes before using said hero’s special abilities to gradually reduce their opponent’s health to zero.
There are five different card types to familiarize yourself with in the Hearthstone universe: minions, spells, weapons, hero cards, and locations. Each card can have a big impact on the outcome of a particular bout, so you’ll want to get to grips with what each means so you can follow the action closely and spot the most strategic Hearthstone betting opportunities.
To make things even more complicated, Blizzard Entertainment continues to add new cards and packs, expanding the Hearthstone metagame yet further. That’s good news from a gameplay variety perspective, but it does mean that regular research is required to keep up to date with what all the various cards mean.
Official Hearthstone tournaments and events
Hearthstone has always been a well-liked game but the rise of professional esports has taken its popularity to the next level. Now, there’s a global network of pro-league Hearthstone players, each vying to become the game’s out-and-out world champion.
The BlizzCon World Championship is the crème de la crème of Hearthstone tournaments, where the best players from each international district battle it out to see who will come out on top. To reach the finals alone is no mean feat, with players required to win a series of qualifying rounds, including:
- Round 1: Blizzard-sanctioned “Fireside Gathering”
- Round 2: Fireside Gathering Group Qualifier
- Round 3: Fireside Gathering Championship
- Round 4: Regional Qualifier
- Round 5: Regional Championship
- Round 6: Hearthstone World Championship Qualifier
- Round 7: Hearthstone World Championship
Taking place on the big stage at BlizzCon each year, the Hearthstone Worlds are where the best of the best do battle to find out who will be crowned the outright winner. It’s big business, too, with a $250,000 prize pot up for grabs for the tournament’s outright victor, along with a series of smaller cash prizes for the runners-up.
Typically, Hearthstone betting kicks in at round 3 of the game’s qualification cycle, with the official Fireside Gathering Championship. And since pro Hearthstone leagues exist in nine countries around the world, there should be plenty of qualifying fixtures to bet on throughout the season.
What Hearthstone betting markets are there?
Once you’ve got your head around how the game works, you can start to think about the types of bets you’d like to place when you register with a fiat or
Bitcoin esports betting site
that features Hearthstone.
While outright winner bets are the most popular wagers to place on Hearthstone pro league bouts, there are other betting types you may like to consider too. The more immersed in the Hearthstone metagame you become, the more confident you’ll get at placing different types of bets – including live, in-game wagers that really take the excitement up a gear.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the ways you can bet money on Hearthstone.
| Type of Hearthstone bet | Details |
| First to run out of health | You’re essentially betting on the loser of a particular Hearthstone match-up, so you’ll need to think carefully about each player’s skill level. |
| First to run out of cards | Here, again, you’re betting against a player to win, so you’ll want to consider their average points value. This type of wager is a popular option for in-play bets when you can more easily predict how a round may play out. |
| Total number of matches won | Outright Hearthstone winner bets placed ahead of a Fireside Gathering or tournament can fetch decent odds, with bettors required to predict the player who will win the most matches and thus proceed on to the next round. |
| Winner of the round | Every round of Hearthstone comprises five games, so you’re essentially making a best-of-five bet here. Placing a bet before a round begins will fetch the best odds, but live bets could be worth considering if it looks like a round is heading towards an easy-to-predict conclusion. |
| Handicap | The great leveller; handicap bets in Hearthstone work in exactly the same way as they do in other sports. These types of bets can bring tasty odds when an underdog player is going up against a goliath of the game. |
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My top Hearthstone betting tips
I’ll be honest: Hearthstone betting isn’t for every type of gambler. The game’s mechanics, lore, and metaverse mean that ample research is needed to become a successful Hearthstone bettor, so you will need to commit some time to learning the ropes and getting your head around how everything works.
With that in mind, here are my top beginner tips for anyone looking to bet on Hearthstone.
Tip #1: Get to know the cards
Every aspect of Hearthstone centers around the cards, so you’ll want to get to know them front to back. You can glean a lot of intel about a player’s strategy and odds of winning from the cards they’re using, so study up and stay abreast of new additions introduced by Blizzard.
Tip #2: Analyze Hearthstone teams and players
While there is an element of luck and chance involved in Hearthstone gameplay, a lot of the action is influenced by a participant’s style of play. For instance, some players may be more aggressive, going on the offensive with the most powerful cards first, while others may bide their time. Only by tuning into professional Hearthstone bouts will you get to know how the best players operate.
Tip #3: Use the best Hearthstone betting site
I can’t stress enough how important it is to play on a site that takes betting on esports like Hearthstone seriously. Even if a specific site features the game as part of its esports offering, it doesn’t mean you’ll enjoy a comprehensive experience there. Take a look at my tips below on how to choose the very best esports gambling site for betting on Hearthstone.
What to look for from Hearthstone betting sites
To ensure you enjoy the best possible experience when placing bets on Hearthstone, I’ve handpicked a few bookmakers that provide top odds, bet markets, and
esports betting offers
on this beloved CCG. Take a look at my recommendations in the banners on this page, where you’ll also find some of my favorite esports welcome bonuses and special offers.
If you’d prefer to go at your own pace and compare the different Hearthstone esports betting sites out there, I totally get it. But to help you along the way and make sure you don’t go choosing a duffer, here’s a checklist of key features and must-haves that you should look out for on betting sites with Hearthstone.
- Free live streaming:
Since you’ll want to follow every play, hand, and round closely, you need to find a bookmaker that offers free live streaming on every Hearthstone fixture. Most of the best esports bookmakers do, but if you’re struggling, you can follow the action on YouTube and Twitch.
- Full fixtures coverage:
With multiple rounds of Hearthstone taking place in a single championship season, it’s important to find an esports vendor that covers all the key fixtures. You won’t want to miss a game when the action gets going, so make sure the site you choose has the full Hearthstone World Championship league on lockdown.
- Competitive odds:
Just like when exploring the
best Team Fortress 2 betting sites, it’s important to compare Hearthstone betting odds to ensure maximum profitability. Odds can fluctuate to a surprising degree from one bookmaker to the next, so it pays to compare what’s out there and bet with the most competitive brand.
- Bonuses:
Although there’s a lot to consider when it comes to Hearthstone betting sites, you shouldn’t overlook the quality of a brand’s bonuses. Welcome deals with free bets and cashback can get your experience off to a winning start, while reload bonuses are ideal for returning customers looking to keep the rewards coming.
- Brand reputation:
Only bet on Hearthstone with reputable brands. Period. Check their licensing credentials, read reviews, and go through the T&Cs with a fine-tooth comb before you place any bets.
The pros and cons of Hearthstone betting
- Strategy-driven gameplay is immersive and thrilling
- Tons of live events and tournaments to bet on and stream
- A solid handful of Hearthstone betting markets to choose from
- Blizzard is constantly adding new cards and features
- Researching the best Hearthstone bets is terrific fun
- Betting on Hearthstone may be a steep learning curve for casual bettors
My final say on esports betting on Hearthstone
Hearthstone presents a truly unique esports betting experience and is a testament to just how far this type of gambling has come in recent years. If you enjoy strategy games and the feeling of being immersed in a vibrant metaverse, this CCG title may present the ultimate online gambling odyssey.
I’ll admit that Hearthstone betting may not be for everyone. The game requires serious legwork from the get-go, which may deter some casual bettors. But if you have the appetite to immerse yourself fully in the Hearthstone universe, there’s no doubt that a rewarding and exhilarating experience awaits.
If you’re up to the challenge that betting on Hearthstone presents, remember to check out my top bookmaker recommendations in the banners on this page, along with their latest deals and promotions.
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Hearthstone betting FAQ
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Can I bet on Hearthstone for real money?
Yes, real-money Hearthstone betting is achievable, although it does depend on where you live. Some bookmakers that offer odds on Hearthstone bets may not be available in some countries due to anti-gambling laws.
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Is it safe to bet on Hearthstone?
Provided you gamble with a reputable bookmaker then yes, it’s 100% safe to make wagers on esports like Hearthstone. Check a brand’s licensing credentials along with existing customer reviews to stay safe and bet with confidence.
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What other games like Hearthstone can I bet on?
There are several esports that are similar to Hearthstone that are available to bet on, including League of Legends, World of Warcraft, and Legend of Runeterra.
