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Counter-StrikeBet on this event

Intel Extreme Masters

Prize Pool
$250,000
When
Oct 7 - Oct 13th, 2024
Where
Rio de Janeiro

Bet on CS2 IEM Events | Prize Pools, Format, Betting Tips

Get ready to witness some of the most prestigious events in the CS2 esports world! Intel Extreme Masters, or IEM, started small but has now turned into a global phenomenon, attracting attention from fans and bettors alike from all corners of the world. While 2023 was a scorcher in terms of transitioning to Counter-Strike 2 and viewership numbers, 2024 will reach even bigger heights!

On the calendar for 2024 IEM events are: IEM Katowice, IEM China, IEM Dallas, IEM Cologne, and IEM Rio. With millions of funds in prize money on the line, there's everything to play for in this new era of CS2 esports. With the stakes high, fans are already scouring for information about the competing teams, match results, and everything else they need to make informed bets before the events kick off.

It's time to gear up and prepare for the CS2 IEM experience of a lifetime with Rivalry at the helm!

A Brief History of IEM

IEM betting

Since it's inception in 2006 by ESL, IEM has become the longest-running pro-game tour worldwide, showcasing events for the most popular online games like StarCraft II, World of Warcraft and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive.

In the first-ever IEM season, competitors from 24 different European countries vied for victory in two main esports disciplines: CS:GO and WoW, with a staggering prize pool of 160,000 euros up for grabs. Fast forward to 2013, and the first IEM CSGO main event was held at the Spodek Arena, in Katowice, Poland, featuring 16 of the top teams from around the world. The IEM Katowice event featured a generous $250,000 prize pool. Fnatic took home the inaugural IEM event, triumphing over Ninjas in Pyjamas in the Grand Finals.

IEM Katowice holds a special place in the hearts of fans, being the longest-running IEM tournament, even breaking viewship records in 2017 with over 46 million concurrent viewers tuning in to watch events unfold. With a slew of other professional IEM tournaments like IEM Sydney, IEM Oakland, IEM World Championship, IEM Chicago, and tons more, there's always something to look forward to in the world of IEM.

IEM 2024: Full Schedule

2024 will be kicking off with a bang with IEM Katowice, a fan-favorite event returning to the calendar. Stay tuned for our dedicated event overviews for each tournament, coming soon. 

  • IEM Katowice 2024: January 31 - February 11
  • IEM Chengdu 2024: April 8 - 14
  • IEM Dallas 2024: May 27 - June 2
  • IEM Cologne 2024: August 7 - 18
  • IEM Rio 2024: October 7 - 13

IEM 2023: Full Schedule

Here was the schedule for the IEM events in 2023. 

  • IEM Katowice 2023: February 1 - 12. (Won by G2 Esports with Heroic as the runner-up)
  • IEM Rio 2023: April 17 - 23 (Won by Team Vitality with Heroic as the runner-up)
  • IEM Dallas 2023: May 29 - June 4 (Won by ENCE with MOUZ as the runner-up)
  • IEM Cologne 2023: July 25 - August 6 (Won by G2 Esporrs with ENCE as the runner-up)
  • IEM Sydney 2023: October 16 - 22 (Won by FaZe Clan with Complexity Gaming as the runner-up)

Intel Extreme Masters: Tournament Format

Each IEM tournament may have slightly differing formats, adding to the excitement of the event. For example, IEM Dallas tournament format features a Group Stage, with six teams making it to the Playoffs. In contrast, IEM Katowice 2023 had the two aforementioned stages and the earlier Play-In, allowing eight teams to advance to the Group Stage.

IEM Katowice 2024: Format

IEM Katowice had three phases in total: a Play-In, Group Stage, and Playoffs. The Play-In round begins with 24 teams in total, as they compete in a double elimination bracket. Opening matches are Bo1 while following matches are Bo3. 

The top eight teams advance to the Group Stage, in which all sixteen teams are separated into two groups. The top three teams from the Group Stage progress forward to the Playoffs to determine the overall winner. The Playoffs Quarter Finals and Semi Finals are Bo3 while the Grand Finals are Bo5. 

The prize money on the line for IEM Cologne 2024 is $1,000,000 USD.

IEM Rio 2024: Format

IEM Rio 2024 boasts the standard uniform format typically used in every Intel Extreme Masters tournament, with a Group Stage and Playoffs.

The sixteen invited teams are divided into two double-elimination format groups, A and B, consisting of eight teams in each. All opening matches are Bo1 while all following matches are Bo3.

The top six teams advance to the Playoffs, where they compete in a single-elimination bracket, leaving no room for error. All matches in the Playoffs are Bo3. The winning team takes the IEM Rio 2024 title, an automatic qualification for IEM Katowice 2025, and $100K from the overall $250K prize pool.

Where to watch all IEM matches

All IEM matches and future IEM tournaments will be broadcast live in English on the ESL CS:GO Twitch and YouTube channels. There are primary and secondary streams available to accomodate all matches occurring at the same time. It's best to have two monitors so you can watch all the action unfold, without having to miss anything!

Bet on CS2 IEM events with Rivalry!

IEM betting

Are you ready to elevate your esports betting game to the next level? Look no further than Rivalry – the ultimate destination for passionate esports fans. This is the hottest site on the web to bet money on your favorite esports, from League of Legends to Dota 2, we've got all the bases covered.

Whereas some esports betting sites see this as a cash-grab opportunity and look to take advantage of their users, we care about you! We do esports betting unlike any other. Rivalry is:

Fully Licensed and Regulated: Your money is 100% safe with Rivalry. We are fully registered and licensed under the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission, so all bets placed with us are 100% legal.

Made by fans, for fans. We are the first reliable site to have the interests of fellow esports fans at heart. We offer free bets, new promotions, and a responsive 24/7 customer support live chat. Whether you're a seasoned bettor or just starting out, our friendly team is always here to help with any betting queries you may have.

Full of esports betting opportunities and live odds: Rivalry is your one-stop-shop for all things esports betting, with a wide range of opportunities and live odds available. While CS2 is our bread and butter, we also cater to other popular genres like MLBB, Valorant, and more. So, why limit yourself? Join the excitement today and experience the thrill of esports betting with Rivalry!

There are a few reasons why Rivalry are the ultimate fan experience for CS bettors, and are a leader in the esports betting markets:

Easy Deposits and Fast Cashouts

We make it easy for you to get in on the action with instant deposit and payment methods, such as Skrill, Visa, and MasterCard. You can be sure that your transactions will be seamless and hassle-free. And when it's time to cash out your winnings, we make it quick and easy, so you can enjoy your rewards without any delays!

As a crypto-first sportsbook, we encourage the use of cryptocurrencies to make your esports bets, as the future of online bettings. We accept all popular cryptocurrenies, including (but not limited to): BitCoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Tether, USDT.e, Doge, and more.

Same Game Combos

Bring that big brain energy to your betting game! Place Same Game Combo bets on any IEM event and win big, all on the same betting slip. We also offer Same Game Combos on other esport titles like Dota 2 and League of Legends. Read this article for more information.

Promotions and New Account Bonus

We are pleased to offer our new customers a generous welcome bonus alongside their first qualifying bet as a thankyou for joining us. Check our promos page regularly for new bonuses and other benefits!

Live IEM betting odds

From Katowice betting to IEM Dallas and IEM Sydney, we've got all the major IEM events covered, so you don't have to miss a second of the action! We use decimal odds to calculate all the bettings odds on our site. These express the likelihood of a team winning a match. For example, if Team A is listed at 1.5 odds, you could win 1.5 times your original bet upon their victory. This article further explains how to read esports odds correctly if you have doubts.

Different IEM CS2 betting markets

Get ready for some serious excitement during IEM matches with Rivalry's odds on everything from pistol round winners to the outright match winner. As fans ourselves, we know that adding a sprinkle of betting action can make matches even more thrilling. So why wait? Start betting on IEM matches today with Rivalry!

CS2 IEM Esports Betting Guide

IEM betting 2023

With the growing popularity of esports competitions, many fans watching the events may want to add spice to their favorite tournaments, like IEM Sydney and other Intel Extreme Masters events.

That's where Rivalry comes in! We have plenty of betting tips and tricks up our sleeves for all esports events to help you maximize your profits when considering IEM betting. Get your notepad out and pay attention! The keystone to making informed CS2 bets and raking in the profits is simply doing your research and ensuring all the information you are presented with is accurate and up-to-date.

Analyze Everything

Collect as much information and statistics as possible to make more informed wages when picking a team to place bets on. It would help if you considered the following factors: a team's overall rating, match history, rosters, and their player's individual profiles and successes. Certain teams may excel in other areas, like pistol rounds.

Rivalry Academy

Our first-of-a-kind learning resource Rivalry Academy is there to help you get to grips with esports betting, whether you're new to esports betting markets or an experienced veteran wanting a refresher. From videos on how to read esports betting odds to general tips and tricks - we've got you covered!

Watch Old Streams

If your favorite team is competing against an unknown team you need to learn more about, check out their match history by watching previous games on YouTube. Having as much information as possible is the best way to make informed betting predictions, so do your research!

Knowledge is power

Read our news blog, Google player's individual stats, watch their YouTube channels, and even check out their Liquidpedia page for a full breakdown. Gather all the relevant information you need from the players and IEM CS:GO experts before placing your bets.

FAQs about IEM betting

IEM Betting 2023

Is betting on Counter-Strike legal?

Yes! We are a fully licensed and regulated betting site registered under the Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission. Counter-Strike: Global Offensive betting practices are entirely legal, so rest assured that all bets placed with Rivalry are 100% legal and fully compliant with the law. 

Do you offer any bonuses for betting on IEM events?

We provide new customers with their first deposit for free, as a welcome offer and token of gratitude for choosing us as their CS betting site.

How can I deposit?

Rivalry offers a wide range of depositing options to accommodate our users, some of which are instant: MasterCard, Visa, Skrill, Alipay, and tons more. We even offer cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin, so no-one misses out!

Can I bet on IEM from my smartphone?

We recognize that many of our users and CS:GO ESL bettors may choose to place bets from their mobile devices. Your safety is always our #1 priority, so you can place bets on the go with Rivalry. If you're from Ontario, download "Rivalry - Esports Betting" from the iOS App Store.

What country do I need to be from to bet with Rivalry?

Rivalry supports most countries getting involved in Valorant betting, including Brazil and the Philippines. For your convenience, here's our list of UNSUPPORTED regions. If your country is not on the list, you can create an account and start betting!

Who are the favorite teams for IEM Rio? 

Squads to watch at IEM Rio 2024 include: FaZe Clan, Natus Vincere, and Team Vitality as the top three favorite teams.

We’re Rivalry. Esports and Sports Betting leaders

Play Rivalry's Online Casino Tournaments for Casino Credits

Rivalry Online Casino Tournaments: Free Entry & Big Rewards

Step into the action! Just like the buzzing energy of old-school land-based casinos, online casinos like Rivalry are taking it to the next level with thrilling online casino tournaments. With our free-to-register daily and weekly "races," you'll compete against hundreds of players while enjoying your favorite casino games—and the best part? You can win Casino Credits to keep the fun train rolling even longer. Free money for extra gamba at our epic online casino? Count us in!

Ready to start playing? Keep reading for a basic breakdown of Rivalry's races/casino tournaments, how to get involved, and the types of casino tournaments waiting for you at our online casino. Let's go!

online casino tournaments

What are online casino tournaments?

Tournaments, or races as we describe them on Rivalry, are the ultimate competition. Registered users compete against one another to earn points in a specific game or set casino games within a predetermined time frame and earn the most points out of anyone else.

Unlike standard online gameplay where you're competing against the house, you're vying for position on a leaderboard against other players. There's no entry fee, making them what we call "freeroll tournaments." Instead of cash prizes that players can withdraw, they can earn Casino Credits for free play on our online casino.

free casino tournaments on Rivalry

So, what types of tournaments are available at Rivalry?

Rivalry's casino tournaments/races are dynamic and designed to show off the best of our online casino. Different types are available to suit all casino players, ranging from free slot tournaments to table game tournaments. The choice is yours—browse the tournaments listed and see what interests you.

Online Slot Tournaments

An online slots tournament requires players to enter and play the slot machines listed in that specific tournament. The qualifying slots can range in themes, including Halloween-Themed, Food-Themed, Cowboy Slots, and even ones picked by the Rivalry CEO to keep things fun and fresh.

For ultimate peace of mind, all our online slot machines are tried and tested and put through the wringer to ensure their fairness. They come from world-class software providers, including Hacksaw Gaming, PG Soft, Pragmatic Play, Play'N'Go, NoLimit City, and many more.

When competing in a slots tournament, keep in mind factors like Return-To-Player (RTP) percentages, bonus features, and volatility levels, as these impact your potential multipliers.

Roulette Tournaments

Go balls to the wall and play our Roulette tournaments, amplifying the thrill of live Roulette. In these tournaments, you'll have to rack up the most Roulette multipliers in a single day, with points awarded for each winning wager. Bet on your lucky numbers, Red/Black, Odd/Even, or go rogue with some inside bets; the power is in your hands!

Here are some of the qualifying games for our Roulette tournaments.

  • American Roulette ($0.20)
  • Double Ball Roulette ($0.20)
  • Lightning Roulette/XXXtreme Lightning Roulette ($0.20)
  • Speed Roulette ($0.50)
  • Instant Roulette ($0.10)
  • Immersive Roulette ($0.50)
  • First Person Roulette ($0.50)

Have you got the balls to win Roulette like a boss? We even offer Roulette options tailored to different regions and languages, including dedicated versions in Portuguese and Spanish.

Baccarat & Blackjack Tournaments

Do you play your cards close to your chest? You can now test your hand at the ultimate classic table games with our ongoing live Baccarat and Blackjack tournaments, competing against hundreds of other players to rise to the top in these exciting card games. Want to see if you can employ card counting in Baccarat or try some tried-and-tested Blackjack strategies? Go for it!

  • Lightning Baccarat ($1)
  • Speed Baccarat ($1)
  • Peek Baccarat ($1)
  • Golden Wealth Baccarat ($1)
  • Baccarat Squeeze ($1)
  • Infinite Blackjack ($1)
  • Lightning Blackjack ($1)
  • Power Blackjack ($1)
  • First Person Blackjack  ($0.50)

If these card game tournaments perform well, we may even expand to offer Poker tournaments in the future, so watch this space!

Other Exciting Casino Tournaments

We want our users to have more fun on our platform while discovering new games they might not otherwise play. That's why our tournaments sometimes focus on rogue games in our online casino catalog, ranging from Aviator and Cash and Dash to many other underrated gems. Show them some love!

online tournaments at Rivalry's casino

How to enter Rivalry's free casino tournaments

Hold your horses! You must fulfill two major requirements before you can get involved in Rivalry's casino Races. First, you must be of the minimum legal age for online gambling in your jurisdiction (19+ in Ontario, 18+ everywhere else). If you've got that covered, you also must be a registered Rivalry user.

Here's a step-by-step guide on how to sign up to Rivalry and enter the Races.

1) Create a Rivalry Account

You can create a Rivalry account using a pre-existing email address and a secure password with a mix of alphanumeric characters and symbols. Alternatively, you can speed up the process by connecting an existing Facebook or Google account to create your Rivalry account.

2) Verify Your Identity

To verify your account, provide personal details like your full name, address, and date of birth. These deets are used strictly for verification purposes and are not shared with third parties. Next, go to the "Verify" tab to upload selfies or a short video showing your beautiful face from different angles to confirm you're not a bot. The automated process is quick and typically takes just a few minutes.

3) Deposit Money

Once your account is verified, you're all set to play! You can join our online casino tournaments, earn Casino Credits, and win cash prizes. Don't forget to claim your casino welcome bonus, which matches your first deposit up to $100.

While our casino tournaments accept players with free entry, you must deposit money into your account to play and start climbing the leaderboards. We accept many accredited payment options, so you can choose what suits you.

  • Fiat Methods: Visa, Mastercard, bank transfers, web wallets like Skrill and Much Better, and prepaid solutions like PayMaya.
  • Cryptocurrencies: As a crypto-friendly platform, we support major cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE), and others
  • Popular crypto wallet picks include MetaMask, Coinbase, and Trust Wallet (or choose from 400+ others supported on Rivalry, giving you flexibility in your choice).

4) Browse Rivalry's casino tournaments

Once your Rivalry wallet is ready, you can explore our online casino tournaments and start competing. The qualifying games and slots for each freeroll tournament may vary, so read the rules and qualifying spend requirements before betting.

As you play, check the tournament leaderboards to track your rank against others, but note there may be up to a 30-minute delay before your points are updated.

What are the prize pools for Rivalry's online casino tournaments?

We're not dumb—you want to know what's at stake when you play in our online casino tournaments. Please be aware that the Daily and Weekly Races prize pool varies, depending on which you enter.

The type of Rivalry Race you want to enter will depend entirely on your play style and preferences. If you're in it for the long haul and want to play low and slow, weekly races are where it's at, as they run for seven consecutive days. Daily Races are for you if you prefer quick rewards without dilly-dallying.

Here is the prize pool distribution for daily and weekly online casino tournaments hosted at Rivalry.

Daily Races

In terms of Daily Rivalry Races, we offer a host of different games every single day of the week. We most commonly feature slots tournaments several times a week, with a sprinkle of other games in between.

Daily races begin at 00:00 UTC and end at 00:00 UTC the following day. There are 25 winners every day, seven days a week; could you be next?

  • 1st Place: $75
  • 2nd Place: $50
  • 3rd Place: $25
  • 4th to 7th Place: $15
  • 8th to 10th Place: $10
  • 11th to 25th Place: $4

Weekly Races

At Rivalry, we're all winners! Weekly Race participants ranked 1st to 150th will be rewarded with Casino Credits, so not all hope is lost. Like Daily Races, a range of casino games are offered to spice things up and keep competing interesting.

Weekly races kick off every Monday at 00:00 UTC, ending the following Monday at 00:00 UTC.

  • 1st Place: $450
  • 2nd Place: $250
  • 3rd Place: $150
  • 4th-10th Place: $90
  • 11th-20th Place: $27
  • 21st-50th Place: $10
  • 51st-100th Place: $5
  • 101st-150th Place: $4

Disclaimer: The winnings from slot tournaments will be credited as Casino Credits, not withdrawable cash, and will use the same currency as your most recent wager. Please allow up to 72 hours for these credits to appear in your account after the tournament ends.

If your casino credits do not arrive or you have other questions about our casino tournaments, contact our customer support team for further assistance.

online casinos with tournaments

Casino Tournament Strategies

Getting involved in comped tournaments at online casinos is super exciting. However, like anything involving online gambling, it requires strategies to maximize your chances of success and boost your winning potential.

We're here to help! Here are some tips to help you gain a competitive edge and be more successful in any Rivalry Race or slot tournament.

Understand the Tournament Rules

Ensure you carefully read the terms and conditions associated with each tournament from the casino hosting them to learn how everything works, including entry fees (if any), prize pool distribution, scoring mechanics, tournament format, and time limits. This will help you get a complete grasp of what's at stake and minimize any confusion.

Considering there can be tournament types, you should familiarize yourself with the specific tournament game you're interested in, considering their minimum bets, how to play, general gameplay rules, and other important information.

Manage Your Bankroll Wisely

Responsible online gambling is the cornerstone of all online casinos, with safety being one of the pillars of player success at Rivalry. One key element of responsible gambling practices involves careful budgeting and managing your bankroll. Bet within your means, using disposable income set aside for gambling online instead of money needed for necessities like covering rent, bills, groceries, etc.

Set a suitable budget for your gambling sesh and stick to it. All the casino games on Rivalry have in-game betting limits and Autoplay features, so the game will automatically stop when those limits are reached. You can also set limits on your Rivalry account, where you can set strict loss limits (Daily, Weekly, Monthly), deposit limits, and self-exclusion tools to temporarily freeze your account for your set amount of time. If you think you or someone you know has a potential gambling problem, we have additional resources to support you. Our 24/7 customer support team is on hand to provide guidance.

Leverage Casino Bonuses & Promotions

Keep your eyes peeled for exciting casino bonuses and promotions that can extend your playing time. For example, Rivalry offers a welcome bonus for new users that matches their first deposit up to $100! Our ongoing Refer a Friend campaign also lets you invite friends and family to join Rivalry, unlocking bonus funds for you both to play more casino games. These bonus funds can reduce your overall cost and extend your playtime to help you climb the leaderboards.

Optimize Your Time

The leaderboards can become more competitive as the event progresses in many free slots tournaments. Starting earlier can give you a headstart - Rivalry tournament play kicks off at 00:00 UTC daily. We also recommend playing during off-peak hours, where you might face less competition, allowing you to climb the ranks.

Most Importantly, Stay Calm & Have Fun

At the end of the day, online gambling is a fun hobby and should never be taken too seriously. Stay disciplined, and don't let your emotions dictate your gameplay.

It may be tempting, but don't go chasing after any losses. It's never worth it. At Rivalry, all our players are winners in our eyes, meaning even if you rank 150th in a Weekly Race, you'll still get some Casino Credits for your time. You should ultimately enjoy the process of competing and remember that casino tournaments are designed for entertainment.

scheduled tournaments at Rivalry

Interested in playing for a chance to win Casino Credits? Here's our current casino tournament schedule, with a new tournament game kicking off every Monday.

The schedule below will be updated weekly with our ongoing tournaments, featuring our hottest slot games and most underrated titles.

Ready To Start Playing?

What are you waiting for? Create a Rivalry account now and take part in the riveting Rivalry race action to get that adrenaline rush you've been craving. You could climb the leaderboard, claim the lion's share of the prize pool, and secure your spot in the record books. Good luck, and have fun!

Please note that any prize calculations, terms, and points awarded are subject to change. All prizes will be awarded at Rivalry discretion and subject to internal review for violations in terms or spirit of the competition. Always gamble responsibly—set gameplay or account limits, take regular breaks, and use our responsible gambling tools to ensure a safe and enjoyable tournament play experience. Contact our customer support team for any additional guidance.

online casino and slot tournaments

Online Casino Tournaments FAQ

What online casinos have slot tournaments?

While we can't speak to other online casinos, Rivalry offers daily and weekly slot tournaments, aka Races, where players compete for Casino Credits to earn for even more bets on our website.

What are casino tournaments at Rivalry?

Tournaments, or races as they're known on Rivalry, see registered users compete on a leaderboard, where they play any of the specified games while following specific rules, aiming to earn the most comp points within the time limit. Rivalry Races run daily and weekly.

Can I win real money or free play in online casino tournaments?

Rivalry Races/tournaments reward players with Casino Credits, which are not withdrawable but can be used to enjoy more games with free spins. Unlike other online casinos, no entry fee is required.

However, real-money wagers are needed to progress on the leaderboard. With a minimum bet amount for most of our online slots starting at just $0.10 USD (or local currency equivalent), joining in is affordable and fun!

What other casino tournaments does Rivalry offer?

Rivalry offers a variety of casino tournaments that change weekly, showcasing a diverse mix of exciting games for you to check out. Visit the "Race" section in the casino to discover the latest offerings. These tournaments include classic table games like Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat, as well as quick-play options such as Aviator and online slot games. Stay tuned as more games are added to the lineup!