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Pokémon Go is a game of chance and is renowned as one of the best video games of all time. The game features many events and fests, and its augmented reality gameplay provides an avenue for Pokémon esports betting. This guide will highlight the best Pokémon esports betting sites, Pokémon go esports betting tournaments, and how to get started.
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Pokémon Go is a simple and fun video game developed by Niantic. This is one of the most popular games of the 90s, and it blew the internet after its re-introduction in 2017. One of the main reasons for the impeccable success was that the kids and teens who watched Pokémon in the 90s are now adults who can play and pay for the game.
Another aspect that contributes to its popularity is the futurist aspect where it gives players a chance to reconnect with the world around them. Thanks to its augmented reality concept, players can train, battle, catch and hatch Pokémon.
The biggest payoffs in Pokémon Go require color-coded Poké eggs, Incubators, and Battle tokens (raid passes). These three aspects combined come in handy when you are looking to capture precious types of shiny Pokémon.
Pokémon Go gameplay highly relies on players going outside to explore their real-world environments. However, with the global pandemic, the game still adopted to people staying indoors by shifting its focus towards Adventure Sync with indoor movement and activities. Niantic achieved this by removing the golden geese. But how does catching Pokémon and betting interact? Ideally, this game aims to hunt and secure the latest and rarest Shiny Pokémons and cultivate the prettiest Pokédex.
During gameplay, you will get to collect color-coded eggs, which come in handy in progressing in the game. They are also essential in building incredible creatures. The eggs are awarded randomly by Rocket Leaders or friends. However, you will be required to walk specific distances ranging from 2km to 12 km to hatch them.
When it comes to Pokémon Go betting options, it is more of real money bets where you are required to purchase in-game currency and this gives you a chance to win valuable eggs and incubators. However, what you get is based on the luck of the draw. Even though you know what creatures hide in a particular pool of eggs, there are still various randomness levels. For example, what type of creature you will hatch, its strength, and if it’s shiny or not. Ideally, Niantic uses varying odds to determine each layer.
While we are on this topic of Pokémon Go bets, we can dive into Pokémon Go’s relationship to esports.
For esports fans, Niantic regularly holds events and tournaments which provide betting opportunities like those available in renowned games such as LoL, Fifa and Rocket League. Players can compete in both in-game events and real-world festivals that comprise hunting for unique characters. As the game progresses, players can complete their Pokédex, which helps one acquire rarer Pokémon. More so, they also qualify to compete in tournaments and major competitions.
As earlier mentioned, the egg incubators and raid passes are among the crucial aspects of progressing at Pokémon Go. With the eggs, you get to unlock random creatures with various possibilities. The raid passes are used to battle a certain animal which you capture after that. However, these two only offer a few chances of landing Shiny versions of certain creatures. Pokémon esports betting comes into play for players looking to boost their chances of getting strong/shiny versions of particular creatures.
Spending money on loot boxes is a gambling element since Niantic does not reveal the rates of all included items. This aspect has created excellent opportunities for online betting sites.
The incubator system is one of the main elements of Pokémon go esports betting. This system works similar to that of loot boxes, with the only difference being that the incubator system has low odds. When playing Pokémon Go the main target is to secure the latest Shiny Pokémon. These come in varying colours, and each has its unique abilities. Most players will bet on having the special Pokémon that their friends have.
Pokémon Go trading allows swapping Pokémon with your friends possible. However, certain requirements must be met; these include;
There are various levels of friendship in this game, and you can boost your friendship level by exchanging gifts or going for raids together. The gifts contain useful items like Pokeballs, and you could find special pink or yellow eggs which hatch into an Alolan form Pokémon. You are only allowed to send one gift a day to each friend. However, this helps boost your trainer level. In Pokémon Go trading, there are two types of trade available: Standard Pokémon Go trades and Special Pokémon Go trades. The Standard Trade features any Pokémon that you don’t have in your Pokédex and are not shinies or legendaries. For example, Castform variants, Alolan, or Unowns. Special Trades include Legendary Pokémon like Zapdos or Articuno and shiny or Mythical Pokémon.
There are numerous Pokémon events featuring competitions and major tournaments. These events happen regularly, and there is always something new happening every week. Some of the popular esports tournaments include:
Pokémon Go Fest
This is the largest Pokémon Go event and is usually held once every year. The event features all the Legendary Pokémon discovered in Pokémon Go since it was launched.
Community Day
This is a recurring monthly event that highlights a specific Pokémon and encourages players to get out and play together. The event usually takes place on one weekend every month and lasts for up to 6 hours.
Major Pokémon Go esports tournaments include the 2021 Championship series events;
Pokémon Go events are open to any player with a Trainer Club account. There are no qualifications needed or regional restrictions. However, there are teams that participate in other Pokémon Go versions such as Pokémon Trading Card Game (TCG) and Pokémon Video Games Championships (VGC). TCG and VGC include;
TCG Teams
VGC Teams
Pokémon Go gameplay is fun and simple, but there is a lot more you need to consider to master the game. Here are some tips to help you become a Pokémon Pro and win in battles.
Hatch your eggs and utilize the incubators: The eggs come in handy to boost your candies and XP. If you have the 3x incubators, it is advisable to only use them for 10km eggs and the infinite incubator for short 2km eggs. This way, you will get more efficiency using these incubators since longer-distance eggs have better rewards.
Start with building your XP before powering up Pokémon. Your Trainer skill depends on your XP level, and the higher the XP, the better the rewards, and you can evolve and hatch Pokémon at a higher level. If you decide to power up your Pokémon when your XP is low, it will end up costing you more candies.
Aim to Build an Army and eliminate less valuable Pokémon. You don’t have to carry all the Pokémon in your collection. Instead, focus on only keep high-power versions of Pokémon that can help you win during Raid battles.
Understand the evolution path. This will help you decide which Pokémon to spend Candy on. It is important to check the evolution path since most Pokémon have another evolved form which usually opens up as the game expands.
Don’t ignore the events. There are monthly events that you can take advantage of. For example, the monthly community days are a great way to get out and catch rate Pokémon. This will help you jumpstart your path to some interesting evolutions.
Take your time with the lucky eggs: Although the luck eggs double your XP earned by only 30 minutes, don’t just drop it. It is better to try and use it for the maximum gain to help you level up your trainer. Ideally, it would be a great idea to use it when you know you are going to catch or hatch Pokémon. They also come in handy when there are many Gyms to battle.
Here are a few Pokémon terms and phrases to keep in mind.
Ability: This is power triggered when the required conditions are met. While a Pokémon species can have varying Abilities, an individual Pokémon only has one Ability.
Attack: Attack statistics show a Pokémon’s physical power.
Egg Cycle: This determines how long an egg takes to hatch. One egg takes up to 257 steps to hatch.
Battle: This is a combat between Pokémon. The battle could either be against another Trainer or a wild Pokémon.
Berry: Berries are versatile items used by Trainers to affect or protect a Pokémon’s HP.
Cursed: This is a condition where a Pokémon loses a quarter of its maximum HP with every turn.
Defense: Defense stat shows a Pokémon’s ability to defend itself against physical moves.
Evolution: The process of changing one Pokémon to a more powerful Pokémon.
HP: Hit Point (HP) is one of the 6 main Pokémon statistics, and it shows your life force. This reduces when attacked in battle, and your Pokémon faints if the HP gets to zero. HP can also stand for Hidden Power.
Icy Rock: This special ice-covered rock helps Eevee evolve into Glaceon when levelled up nearby.
Mossy Rock: This special moss-coved rock helps Eevee evolve into Leafeon when levelled up nearby.
Vitamins: Consumable items such as calcium help boost a Pokémon’s base stats in a single category.
Pokémon Go boasts of a huge and welcoming player community with over 55 million installs globally. Most players are happy to pay for the in-game items, making betting on this popular augmented reality mobile game possible. However, with Pokémon Go esports betting, Niantic is yet to disclose the game’s odds.
Recommendable esports betting sites for Pokémon Go betting include Betway, Rivalry, and Pinnacle.
The betting element in Pokémon Go is the loot boxes where players have to pay to get valuable eggs and incubators. However, spending money on loot boxes is a gambling element since the developer does not reveal the rates of all included items.
Many Pokémon Go events happen on a weekly and monthly basis. The main events include Community Day, Pokémon Go Fest, Pokémon Players Cup and Pokémon World Championships.
Pokémon Go betting is similar to other esports such as Dota 2, King of Glory, and Fortnite in that both offer local and worldwide events and tournaments. Players also get to compete for a monetary prize.
Yes. Pokémon Go is one of the popular mobile esports games, and Niantic has developed a game that is free to download and that connects to Google Maps.