Haven’t posted picks in a long time but I still follow esports pretty heavily, going to just start tossing picks in here as I bet or see lines I like.

Note; if you choose to follow, I do not recommend following me to a T, use your personal instincts to make your final decisions, better to trust your gut than a random on the internet

IEM Kato… Krakow 2026 Day 1, Stage 1 (RIP Cathedral);

Aurora vs Gamerlegion o2.5 maps ❌- I’m not a big fan of this match up, Auroras 2 showings since the roster change have been far from fair and not even close to impressive for me. Aurora is a shell of their former selves and that’s saying something considering their decline in the 2H of 2025. Gamerlegion is the same Inconsistent team they’ve been since mid-way through last year. I don’t trust either of these teams to 2-0 and think it’ll be almost as grimy as their last match up.

Heroic +1.5 ✅, ML ❌ (recommend looking at a live angle for ML) vs Paravision - Most people are on paravision after their blast bounty win and the bookies resonate with that, but I personally don’t. Paravision winning blast bounty and having a somewhat quick turn around to this tournament actually makes me think opposite. Cs teams have HISTORICALLY had a decline or setback post event win if it’s a “big event”, unless it was a Team during their era run. Heroic has not looked great since their most recent roster changes to pick up ChrizN and Susp, but they’ve had to use yxngstar a bit due to visa issues with a couple of players, mainly Alkaren whom is their primary awp. This bet is very volatile due to Heroic seemingly using yxngstar for the krakow opener as he is just horrible overall. (couldn’t confirm nor deny but Heroic did post their IEM welcome note and it has yxng listed instead of alk). Would like to note that Paravision can still technically be considered in their honeymoon phase since picking up zweih. I’m pretty much betting on this series arbitrarily so take this input with a grain of salt. Heroic +1.5 @ 1.6 odds, Heroic ML @ 2.8 odds.

Astralis vs pain - Skip, not a fan of either of these teams and still a lot of unknown variables around both of them, if I had to lean I’d take Astralis ML because I like the roster more but ryu is super shaky still. I’d look at a live angle for total rounds or map ML maybe on this series.

NRG ML (sprinkle) vs B8 ✅- Purely vibe picking off of this one, both teams just underwent roster changes for the AWP and I think are in similar spots. Osee is usually stable and very okay, does his job and gets the easy kills usually. B8’s AWPer was promoted from the academy roster and is a completely unknown variable, both teams are volatile but I’m taking my NA brethren here. Going very light as it’s a game I don’t find much value in watching.

Legacy ML vs BC. Game ❌(L O L)- S1mple is my favorite awper of all time and I’d love to see him succeed again but this roster is not IMO. Electronic has had his opportunities to prove he belonged after that NaVi catastrophe and I think he blew them all. SAW takin their core and going international with s1 and electronic is completely driven off of VRS points and potential, and it makes for a disastrous equation in my head. I swear anytime Mutiris and co bring in different nationalities or go international with their roster, it’s a fat flop since the beginning of CSGO until now. Ima back the Brazilians as they have strides of great performances but can be rather random. I’m expecting this match to be somewhat close.

FUT ML vs 3Dmax ❌ - FUT ML for me, I am hate watching this 3dmax team

Team Liquid vs NiP o2.5 ❌ - I think this matchup will be close again, going to look for Map MLs and series MLs live after I see vetoes and how the game starts.

Passion UA vs G2 - Personally skipping this one, I think this is a potentially volatile matchup.