The International is one of the biggest eSports events in the calendar, with the Dota 2 World Championships being hosted by the games developer, Valve. OG come into the tournament as the reigning champions, with matches during the round robin, main event and elimination stages set to attract a large amount of interest from both fans and punters alike. This page will provide readers with everything that there is to know about The International 2019, including the teams to look out for and bet types available.
Dota 2 esports event 2016, main scene and auditorium | Roman Kosolapov / Shutterstock.com
What is the International 2019?
The International 2019 will take place at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai, with the top 12 ranked teams from the Dota Pro Circuit having qualified automatically, along with an additional six teams who gained invites through regional qualifiers that took place over the summer. A total prize fund of $32 million is up for grabs during the event, making the International the most expensive eSports tournament in history.
Two round robin group stages, each featuring nine teams, will take place between August 15-18, with this part of the competition seeing all teams playing each other in a two-game series. Points are handed out based on results from such encounters, with those finishing inside the top four of each group advancing to the upper bracket of the main event. Meanwhile, those finishing in fifth to eight positions will find themselves in the lower bracket. The International 2019 will be the first to take place in China, with the following teams currently preparing for the high-profile event:
Direct invitation (DPC)
Dota 2 esports, trophy of the tournament | Roman Kosolapov / Shutterstock.com
- Team Secret
- Virtus.pro
- Vici Gaming
- Evil Geniuses
- Team Liquid
- PSG.LGD
- Fnatic
- Ninjas in Pyjamas
- TNC Predator
- OG
- Alliance
- Keen Gaming
Regional Qualifier Winners:
- China: Royal Never Give Up
- CIS: Natus Vincere
- Europe: Chaos Esports Club
- North America: Newbee
- South America: Infamous
- Southeast Asia: Mineski
The History of The International
The Valve Corporation launched The International back in 2011, with 16 of the world’s leading teams having been invited to compete initially. This was also the first ever Dota 2 tournament available for public viewing, with the event having been streamed in a range of languages across the globe. Natus Vincere were the first ever winners of The International, defeating Chinese team EHOME in the final, where they collected $250,000 in winnings.
Having been held in Cologne, Germany, for the opening year, The International moved to Seattle, where is took place between 2012-2017. During these years, there was a different winning team each time, including Invictus Gaming, Newbee and Team Liquid, demonstrating the competitive nature of Dota 2 throughout the world. The International took place in Vancouver, Canada, last year, with OG defeating PSG.LGD 2-1 in the final to come out on top. Now, for the first time ever, The International will take place in China.
Short-Term Betting on The International 2019
When it comes to betting on The International 2019, there are a number of options available to punters. Perhaps the most popular form of betting on Dota 2 is simply to bet on the individual winner of a match, whether it be during the Round Robin or knockout phase of the competition. No draws are possible, meaning that it is easy to understand 1×2 markets. For example, customers could bet on Team Liquid to overcome Alliance when the duo meet in Shanghai.
There is normally a favourite and an underdog surrounding such markets, with bookmakers taking into consideration their ranking, recent form and player availability when formulating odds. This form of betting is generally popular due to the fact that a short waiting time is required before determining whether bets have been successful or unsuccessful.
Long-Term Betting on The International 2019
For those who are looking to place longer-term bets on The International 2019 in China, punters are able to bet on which team will win the entire competition, along with who will reach the final, the region of the winner and other tournament specials. Such markets generally come with more appealing odds, with bookmakers rewarding those who have the patience to place such bets. In terms of potential winners of The International 2019, the following are among the favourites at present with the bookies:
- Team Secret – 3.55 @Betway
- Vici Gaming – 5.00 @Bet365
- Team Liquid – 5.50 @888Sport
- Virtus Pro – 6.50 @Betway
- PSG.LDG – 9.00 @Bet365
Live/In-Play Betting on The International 2019
Many bookmakers will also cater for fans of live betting during The International 2019, which means that punters can bet on matches while they are taking place. Depending on the bookmaker, customers will have the chance to bet on the match winner, map lines, correct score, to go to overtime, handicaps, match rounds and to win at least 1 map, amongst other markets. Odds are automatically updated based on what is taking place on screen, with punters being able to wait and see how a particular Dota 2 match is playing out before backing their favourite.
The Stars of The International 2019
Whilst there are a few select teams who standout from the crowd ahead of the competition getting underway, there are also a number of eSports stars who will help their teams achieve success at The International 2019. The following are among the players worth keeping an eye on during the event.
Yeik “MidOne” Nai Zheng
Malaysian star Nai Zheng was the first player from South-East Asia to reach 8000MMR, having learnt Dota from his brother originally. The former Fnatic player finished 3rd in the StarLadder StarSeries S2, as well as finishing fourth at The International 2016. Nai Zheng joined Team Secret in August 2016, helping them to win the ESL One in Birmingham in 2019, as well as a number of other competitions.
Aliwi “w33” Omar
Omar is a professional Dota player from Romania, who will be representing Europeans Team Liquid during The International 2019. W33 initially showcased his skills with the Balkan Bears, before gaining experience alongside H4nn1 with team MeePwn’d. Omar has also previously helped Team Secret in winning the MLG World Finals and the Nanyang Dota 2 Championships, with the solo middle potentially meaning that Team Liquid are in with a chance of causing an upset in China this year.
Kuro “KuroKy” Salehi Takhasomi
Team Liquid’s captain KuroKy has helped them achieve success in the Dota scene over the years, having first joined back in November 2015. Kuro has long been known for being one of the best support players in the world, meaning that is came as little surprise when he helped Team Liquid overcome Newbee and earn a trip to T16. KuroKy’s masterful play across a range of heroes will mean that his team receive significant backing during The International 2019, with the German’s leadership also being a key factor in their potential success.
The International 2019 Favourites
Ahead of the competition getting underway in Shanghai, let’s take a closer look at some of the leading contenders for victory:
Team Secret
Having lost out at the quarter-final stage 12 months ago, European’s Team Secret are much fancies ahead of The International 2019, who have established themselves as one of the best teams around at present. Team Secret won the PVP Esports Championship and ESL One Hamburg, with the likes of Yeik Nai Zheng and Ludwig Wahlberg being players who would striker the fear into any opponent.
Dota 2 esports, Arteezy from team Secret | Roman Kosolapov / Shutterstock.com
ViCi Gaming
Having already lifted the DreamLeague Season 11 trophy in 2019, seeing off Virtus.pro in the process, Vici Gaming are another potential winner of The International 2019. The Chinese team will be keen to perform to the best of their ability on home soil, with the likes of Fade, Paparazzi and Ori making them a difficult team to beat on their day.
Team Liquid
Team Liquid was founded in the Netherlands back in 2000, with the team having finished in fourth place at The International 2018. Following their performances at the MDL Disneyland major, Team Liquid once again qualified for the event, before finishing as runner up in their last major in June. The team made their first roster change in 892 days when GH joined their roster, before mid w33 replaced Matu.
The International Recent Winners
The International 2019 Summary
As readers will have gathered from this page, The International 2019 is an excellent event for betting customers, with a huge amount of matches to stake on, while bookmakers are placing an increasing emphasis upon the competition in terms of the bet types available. No matter who you are backing for victory, be sure to check out the short and long-term markets available on the leading Dota 2 competition in the calendar.