Launched in 2012, Counter-Strike: Global Offensive a.k.a. CS:GO is a multiplayer first-person shooter developed by Valve. The game is fourth in the Counter-Strike series and the same as the previous three versions, CS:GO also pits two teams against each other – Terrorists and Counter-Terrorists.

Ten years after the launch, CS:GO remains the most popular game in the series, as well as one of the most popular choices of esports players. The game is played by more than 24 million players on a regular basis, while the number of those who play it on a pro-level is estimated to be over half a million.

There’s a Lot of Money in CS:GO

The reason behind the popularity of CS:GO among esports athletes is that tournaments are pretty lucrative. According to a USA Today post from 2021, CS:GO is the second most-lucrative esports game with an estimated prize pool of $21 million annually.

Most of the money, however, is spread among only a handful of CS:GO teams like Astralis, FaZe Clan, or Natus Vincere (NAVI). Not only have they been winning CS:GO tournaments, but their success in the game has put them on the radar of big brands.

NAVI, for example, is sponsored by a number of major companies, including GGbet, which, according to MyOnlineCasino is one of the leading online gaming sites in Asia.

With so much money at stake, it’s no surprise that CS:GO teams are taking their tournaments very seriously. Working on the players’ skills – spray control, crosshair placement, and so on – is not enough to conquer the world of Counter-Strike.

So, what’s the secret behind the success of elite CS:GO esports teams?

The Importance of Tactics in CS:GO

It goes without saying that top CS:GO esports teams are all made up of players with an elite set of skills. All of them have been polishing their playing skills for years, meaning that when it comes to their abilities, they’re all pretty much at the same level. What’s giving them an edge is the way they approach the battle.

Attacking/defensive strategies aren’t universal in the world of CS:GO. Instead, they depend on the map, as well as on the enemy, that is, their advantages and disadvantages. Having a bunch of players on your team that can exploit the enemy’s flaws is crucial to success in this game.

The thing that makes the best teams stand out is making the most of the teamwork. After all, the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Good synergy is perhaps more important in CS:GO than in other esports, considering that most tournaments include 5-on-5 battles.

That said, building a well-rounded team is thought to be the key tactic. When there’s chemistry and understanding between teammates, they can easily work out how to deal with their opponents.