Every esports player knows that Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege is a big deal. Commonly referred to as R6, it's a tactical first-person shooter where teams of five operators (each with special gadgets) attack or defend objectives. It’s built around coordination, strategy, and destructible environments. You blow through walls, you breach windows, you set up traps.
Siege wasn’t just made for fun; the developers designed it with esports in mind. Back in 2013–2015, Ubisoft consulted with ESL (a big esports company) to ensure the game would work competitively. The first formal pro circuit, the “Pro League,” launched around 2016. Over time, Siege matured: regional leagues, big annual tournaments like the Six Invitational, and changes to its format cemented it as a serious esport.
It's a bandwagon that's starting to creak. In 2024, the Six Invitational reportedly pulled in over 500,000 concurrent viewers, putting R6 into the top 15 most-watched esports games. That’s no small feat for a game that started with a modest launch.
How to Bet on R6 at Stake.com
With Stake.com, punters can take a bet on R6. Here’s how:
- Log in, then go to the Esports Section.Log in to your Stake account and on the menu, find the Esports tab. From there, you can either browse or search for “Rainbow Six / R6.”
- Find the Match or EventOnce you're in the R6 section, you will see upcoming matches, live events, and major tournaments like the Six Invitational. Click on the match you are interested in.
- Pick Your MarketStake offers a variety of betting markets for R6:
- Match Winner (Two-Way): Bet on which team wins overall.
- Correct Score: Predict the exact map score (for instance, 2–1).
- Map Handicap: The favourite might be “given” a map deficit.
- Total Maps: Bet on how many maps the match will be (e.g., over or under a number).
- Map Winner: Look at a map and pick the winner.
- To Win At Least One Map: A bet on a team winning at least one map, regardless of whether they win the match.
- Prop Bets: These could include "first blood" (the first kill) or other stats that are player-specific.
- Parlay Accumulators: Placing multiple bets together for a bigger payout but more risk.
- Outright (Futures): Bet on who’ll win a full tournament, such as the Six Invitational.
- Place Your StakeAfter choosing a market, enter how much you want to bet and confirm via your bet slip. Stake requires you to have sufficient balance in your account.
- In-Play OptionsIf you like live action, Stake supports in-play betting (betting during the match). For R6, you might bet on things like “which team gets the next kill” or “which team wins the next map.”
- Withdraw or Manage Your BankrollWhen withdrawing, be careful you pick the right network if you’re using crypto, and double-check your details.
Watch Your Promos: Bonus Terms and Conditions Matter
If you're tempted by a signup offer or deposit bonus when betting on R6, read the bonus terms and conditions very carefully. Promotions often come with wagering requirements or restrictions on which betting markets count. On Stake, not all R6 bets will necessarily contribute equally to clearing a bonus — for example, some operator-specific or prop bets might be excluded. Overlooking that fine print is like signing up to a gym and then discovering you can’t use the treadmills.
Smart Strategies for Betting R6
Nobody wants to bet like a noob. These tips might help you avoid that fate.
- Know the Teams: Watch recent matches and pay attention to roster changes.
- Understand Map Strengths: Operators and tactics work differently on different maps. A team might dominate on a map that favours aggressive play but struggle on one that rewards slow, methodical play.
- Use Live Betting Wisely: In-play bets let you react to what you see. If one team is dominating early, you can back them for “win at least one map” rather than go all-in on match victory.
- Parlay Carefully: Sure, combining bets is tempting for big payouts — but you’re also multiplying risk. If you do use parlays, don’t load every leg with unpredictable or volatile markets.
- Bankroll Discipline: Set a budget, treat betting on R6 like investing in a hobby, not a solution to financial stress. Don’t chase losses.
Why R6 Betting Is Actually Pretty Unique
R6 is not like betting on a mainstream sport such as football or a simpler esports title like a battle royale. Its tactical nature — with operators, destructible environments, and round-by-round play — means outcomes depend as much on strategy as pure aim.
Why It’s Mainstream Now
R6 is a model case study. Its competitive structure matured, especially with the pivot from a Pro League model to regional leagues. The Six Invitational, now a marquee event, saw its prize pool swell (in 2020 it was $3 million), which both attracted top teams and raised the stakes for fans and bettors.
Meanwhile, the community stuck with it. Unlike some games that burn bright and fade, Siege developed a loyal, hardcore following. Esports audiences grew, particularly in regions like Brazil where big finals have packed out arenas.
So what started as a tactical shooter niche became an esport people bet on seriously, and now it’s well-established on platforms like Stake.