The Best CS: GO Fantasy Site

For more than 10 years, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, or CS: GO, has been thrilling players with its exciting gameplay. It’s clear, then, why CS: GO fantasy is one of the top esport DFS categories in the USA. In this guide to the best fantasy CS: GO site, you will learn about the available contest modes, some tips and strategies, and more.

DraftKings: The Premier CS: GO Fantasy App

At the moment, DraftKings is the top online operator to play fantasy CS: GO. The platform has been offering esports daily fantasy since 2015, and it remains the only major eSports DFS site to offer these options today. Fortunately, it provides a wealth of great contests for daily CS: GO that rely on official league statistics.

DraftKings is available to most adults across the US, and it has a strong relationship with major sports leagues and state gaming regulators. You will be able to easily draft fantasy Counter-Strike teams through your mobile device and desktop platform, and there is a generous bonus available to new players. There are two primary contest modes available for CS: GO players.

Classic Mode

CS: GO Classic Mode is the most popular mode for players. It requires that contestants draft a team of CS: GO players from a league player pool within a $50,000 budget. Players are priced according to their current statistics and recent form, and points are earned on their achievements.

You must also recruit one of your players as a Captain. While this will make them more expensive, they will earn 1.5X the points. For this reason, you’ll want to research the upcoming game modes and maps that are played so you promote the ideal player to score boosted points.

Scoring

Contestants will earn points based on the individual performance of players in Classic Mode. You can find the scoresheet listed below.

Players:

• Kills +1.5 Pts
• Assists +1 Pt
• Deaths -1 Pt
• Entry Kill (First Kill of the round) +0.5 Pts
• 1v2 Clutch +1 Pt
• 1v3 Clutch +2 Pts
• 1v4 Clutch +3 Pts
• 1v5 Clutch +5 Pts
• Quad Kill +3 Pts
• Ace +5 Pts
• Rounds Not Played Bonus +0.5 Pts per round not played
• Match Sweep Bonus +5 Pts (minimum of 2 maps played)

Lineup Requirements

You must draft a lineup of six players with a maximum of three from any one team, which means you need to represent at least two teams in your roster that are playing in at least two different CS: GO games. One must be a Captain, while the other five are to be FLEX positions.

Showdown Mode

The CS: GO Showdown Mode is similar to Classic Mode in that you will need to draft your roster within a $50,000 salary cap. You will have access to the same player pool as in Classic Mode, and the scoring is the same. However, the primary difference comes in the lineup requirements.

Lineup Requirements

You must draft a lineup of four players in Showdown mode. Interestingly, you will need to assign two Captains to generate 1.5X the points. Your other two players will be FLEX positions. A player cannot be added as both a Captain and a regular position in this mode.

Contest Variations

DraftKings offers several other variations to contest modes for CS: GO fantasy that add extra dynamics to the proceedings and how prizes are won. In the first mode, a Guaranteed Prize Pool (GPP) contest, players will earn payouts no matter whether or not a contest fills. These pay out highly but have higher entrance fees.

The other type of contest mode is a Cash game. These will have smaller prize pools and will only pay out the top half of performers. Both 50/50 and Head-to-Head contests are these Cash Games. You will have the option to make these contests yourself to play between friends or to play against total strangers. Short-term contests, season-long contests and free contests are also available.

DraftKings Welcome Bonus

When you sign up as a new player to DraftKings, you are eligible to claim a welcome bonus. The current offer provides a 20% deposit match, whereby your first deposit will be matched up to $500 in DK Dollars. You must deposit a minimum of $5 to receive the bonus perks.

It’s important to note that these funds do not equate to real money. Instead, DK Dollars must be converted into real money by playing and winning. For every $25 wagered, you’ll covert $1 to real money. This must be met within 90 days.

Other DraftKings Features

In addition to being the most popular fantasy CS: GO site in the USA, DraftKings is also the most popular online sportsbook. It is available in most of the states that have legalized online sports betting, and it even powers a number of retail sportsbooks. If betting is legal in your state, this option will be available.

The site often offers odds for esports such as CS: GO in some states too, so its worth looking at these before you start drafting. In states that have legalized online casino gambling, you may also be able to play slots, table games, and live games through your DraftKings account. 

Availability and Legality of DraftKings Fantasy

DraftKings is legal in 44 states. You cannot sign up for an account if you are located in Montana, Idaho, Hawaii, Oregon, Washington, or Nevada. This is either because the state has specifically outlawed DFS or it considers the activity to be a game of chance and therefore, illegal gambling. 

The minimum age to sign up will be between 18 years old and 21 years old depending on which state you are located. You will likely need to be 21 or over to access sports betting and online casino features if these are available. DraftKings is approved by many state gaming regulators, which ensures that it is fair, trustworthy, and secure.

Highlights and Summary of DraftKings

There is no better site for CS: GO fantasy than DraftKings. With two primary contest modes, you’ll have great diversity in the gaming options available. Gameplay is supported on mobile devices, and the player pool prices are fair and accurate. You can also claim a great bonus when you join.

About CS: GO Esports

As one of the first esports to gain major public attention, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive has been a sensation among gamers and spectators alike since 2012. The game is celebrated for requiring strategic gameplay and precision, with teams battling it out in 5v5 contests on different maps with varying objectives.

There are plenty of leagues around the world, with the largest being the prestigious ESL Pro League. Major events attract millions of online streaming views, and there is a large industry around the spectacles. This ensures that DFS players have a wealth of information and insights

Major Events and Tournaments

The CS: GO events calendar is packed with exciting dates due to the fact that there are several major leagues and competitions. The ESL Pro League is a premier competition that features players from across the nation and international leagues. Other competitions include the Intel Extreme Masters and the BLAST Premier Series.

Each league and series has varying set-ups, though there are usually regular season events, playoffs, and championship finals. They also have distinct qualities, with the BLAST series offering higher-stake prizes and while the Intel Extreme Masters take a more global approach. Other notable events include the DreamHack Open and the FACEIT Major.

Top-Ranked ESL Pro League Teams

It’s incredibly important to have a strong understanding of the top teams and players before you draft your rosters. The most successful teams of all time in the ESL Pro League are Astralis, FaZe Clan, SK Gaming, HEROIC, Team Liquid, Team Vitality, Fnatic, Gambit Esports, and G2 Esports.

Tips for Drafting Your CS: GO Roster

While mastering the CS: GO fantasy drafting process will take some time, there are several things you can do to shorten the learning curve. The first thing you need to do to be successful is commit to research. You will want to look at the historical and recent form of players and teams.

Choose players with a high kill/death ratio and their ability to achieve certain objectives that are scored. Be sure to choose players that are consistent. A team’s success also heavily relies on their chemistry, with a player’s ability to score directly influenced by their ability to communicate and coordinate with their teammates. 

You will need to have a strong understanding of the game’s rules and the different roles of players within the game. You will want to have a diverse mix of players that excel in different roles. You will also notice that some players before better at different maps or game modes, so be sure to research what these are to boost your fantasy points.

Helpful CS: GO Fantasy Strategies

The best fantasy sports contestants understand the importance of salary management. It is always a good idea to use your full salary to ensure that nothing is wasted. It’s also important to choose a mix of reliable, high-priced favorites as well as up-and-comers that have been underpriced or are showing potential. 

As you are able to stack up to three players from one team, it can be advantageous to do this as kills and assists will earn points. Be sure to keep an eye on injury or illness reports and make adjustments to your roster up until the game set has begun. 

Resources

There are a wealth of great resources available to fantasy sports players to help inform their picks. We recommend that you check out expert analysis from pundits to learn about players and reams. You can also check the DraftKings blogs page for expert picks, as well as the official websites of leagues such as the ESL Pro League for up-to-date statistics. Some may also rely on a CS: GO lineup optimizer tool to build their roster’s foundation then adapt from there.

Frequently Asked Questions

If you are looking for brief and easy answers to your questions about CS: GO, then keep reading. In the following sections, we’ve responded to commonly asked queries about the top websites, the esport and its leagues, the legality and availability of the activity, and much more so you don’t have to read the whole guide.