BLAST SLAM VIII is just around the corner, and it is returning bigger and better than before.
Kicking off on Tuesday, September 29, BLAST SLAM VIII returns to our screens with a new format. In addition to introducing best-of-three games in the group stage, BLAST SLAM VIII will also welcome an expanded field of 16 teams.
Featuring the likes of PARIVISION, Team Spirit, Team Liquid, Team Yandex, BetBoom Team, and other heavyweights, BLAST SLAM VIII promises a highly competitive and exciting event, delivering top-tier Dota 2 action over 13 days.
However, despite welcoming a stacked field of some of the world’s best squads, the top-rated bookmakers have already drawn a clear line between the top contenders and the rest, listing PARIVISION as the main candidates to make a run for the trophy.
While PARIVISION have earned the tag of BLAST SLAM VIII favourites, the presence of other strong teams ensures that even their road to the top will be anything but an easy one.
Here is all you need to know about BLAST SLAM VIII, including the tournament dates, format, favourites, and outright betting odds, courtesy of the best Dota 2 bookmakers for BLAST SLAM betting.
BLAST SLAM VIII Format
BLAST SLAM VIII will kick off on Tuesday, September 29, as a Tier-1 Dota 2 tournament, featuring 16 of the world’s best teams.
The event will run over two weeks, through Sunday, October 11, when the final two teams will duke it out in the grand finals for a winner's share of US$270,000.
The entire event is divided into four stages. The action begins with a group stage, where all 16 participating teams will be split into four GSL-format groups of four. All group stage games are played as best-of-three (BO3), with only the top two teams per group advancing deeper.
The four group winners will proceed to the Seeding Matches, while runners-up will advance ot the Last Chance Stage.
In the Seeding Matches, the four group winners will be paired and play a single best-of-three game to determine which two will receive a semifinal bye and which two will advance to the quarterfinals.
In the Last Chance Stage, the four group-stage runners-up will be paired and play a single best-of-three game to determine which two teams advance to the playoffs.
Playoffs are double-elimination with all games played as best-of-three, except for the grand final, which is best-of-five.
Group Stage
- 16 teams
- Four GSL-format groups of four teams
- All games are best-of-three
- Group winners proceed to Seeding Matches
- Second-placed teams proceed to Last Chance
Seeding Matches
- Four teams
- All games are best-of-three
- Winners proceed to semifinals
- Losers advance to the quarterfinals
Last Chance
- Four teams
- All matches are best-of-three
- Winners proceed to the quarterfinals
- Losers are eliminated from the tournament
Playoffs
- Six teams
- Double-elimination bracket
- Grand final is best-of-five
- All other games are best-of-three
How to Bet on BLAST SLAM VIII?
Betting on BLAST SLAM VIII is a very simple process, thanks to the excellent availability of BLAST SLAM betting markets. Esports punters can visit any online betting site and find markets for BLAST SLAM VIII, yet some stand out as better options than others.
Notably, Stake is widely considered one of the top betting platforms for Dota 2 betting, thanks to its competitive odds, excellent market coverage, free streaming options, and bonuses and promotions.
- Visit Stake
- Register a new account using promo code NEWBONUS or log in
- Locate BLAST SLAM VIII markets under the Dota 2 tab
- Place bets on BLAST SLAM VIII
BLAST SLAM VIII Favourites
BLAST SLAM VIII will welcome 16 world-class Dota 2 teams, yet some are viewed as more likely champions than others.
PARIVISION sit atop that list as the team to beat, and that does not come as a surprise. The Russian outfit have been one of the most consistent teams of the year, and especially in the last four months, having won three big events, including DreamLeague Season 29 and the Esports World Cup.
Notably, PARIVISION also placed second at The International, following a narrow 2-3 loss to Team Spirit.
The reigning TI champions, Team Spirit, are close behind in the BLAST SLAM VIII power rankings, largely due to their success in the world championship.
However, TI was and is the only tournament Spirit have won this year, so it is fair to question whether they’ll manage to keep the wheels spinning and make another run for a gold medal.
Team Yandex are not to be overlooked either as one of the hottest Dota 2 teams in the world and the defending BLAST SLAM champions.
They have, this season, won two big events, including PGL Wallachia Season 7 and BLAST SLAM VII. Since then, Yandex have placed third at the Esports World Cup and The International, which is good enough proof that they have the tools to compete for big trophies.
Team Liquid join the list of serious BLAST SLAM VIII title contenders after showing some signs of life in recent months.
While Liquid looked more potent early in the season with a gold medal from BLAST SLAM VI, bronze from DreamLeague Season 28, and silver from PGL Wallachia Season 7, Liquid have recently found some success, winning 1win Essence II and a top-six finish at The International.
Fielding a highly experienced roster, Team Liquid have everything they need to make a deep run at BLAST SLAM VIII. But it remains to be seen whether they can challenge the top dogs.
Besides the leading four, BetBoom Team and Aurora Gaming have both shown some pulse of late and are capable of causing a couple of upsets. But in a long-format event like BLAST SLAM VIII, they’ll need more than a couple of upset wins to make it to the top.
BLAST SLAM VIII Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| PARIVISION | 2.90 |
| Team Yandex | 4.80 |
| Team Spirit | 5.00 |
| Team Liquid | 7.00 |
| 1win Team | 7.50 |
| BetBoom Team | 9.00 |
| Aurora Gaming | 11.00 |
| Natus Vincere | 13.00 |
| LGD Gaming | 15.00 |
| Xtreme Gaming | 15.00 |
| OG | 17.00 |
| Yakult's Brothers | 75.00 |
| GamerLegion | 75.00 |
| Team Nemesis | 100.00 |
| MOUZ | 100.00 |
| LevelUP | 100.00 |
BLAST SLAM VIII FAQ
- When is BLAST SLAM VIII?
BLAST SLAM VIII is scheduled to kick off on Tuesday, September 29, with the first games of the group stage. The tournament will run until Sunday, October 11, when the top two teams will face off in the grand final.
- Who are the favourites to win BLAST SLAM VIII?
PARIVISION are the main favourites to win BLAST SLAM VIII, ahead of Team Spirit, Team Yandex, and Team Liquid, who are among serious candidates to make a run for the trophy.
- Where can I find betting odds for BLAST SLAM VIII?
Esports fans can find betting odds for BLAST SLAM VIII on most online betting sites and all top-rated esports bookmakers. That includes Stake, which is one of the top options, offering highly competitive odds, great market coverage, streaming, as well as bonuses and promotions for its users.