(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Black Ops: Complete Wager Match Guide

I'm writing this guide because I believe wager matches are one of the most important features of Black Ops.

Why?

Well, here's the thing: Unless you're rank 50, someone out there has a better gun than you. All the time. And they'll have new face paint and camouflages and attachments unlocked too.

In Wager Matches, your online rank does not matter. A person who is ranked 1 has just as good of a chance as a person ranked 50.

On top of that, you earn money. I know, it's great =D

Continue reading for some tips and tricks, along with specific guides for each of the four Wager Match types.

[multipage=Why Play Wager Matches? ]
Why Play Wager Matches?

If you're good at them, you earn money.
That's the basic reason why anyone would play.

But besides that, they're also a lot of fun, and like I said earlier, they don't discriminate between high or low ranked players, which is perfect if you just prestiged (or are just starting out the game)

On top of that, some of the game modes can be good practice for ranked games. For example, One in the Chamber is great for practicing Accuracy and Knife Skills, while Sticks and Stones helps you get better with the Crossbow, Ballistic Knife, and Tomahawk.

[multipage=Winning and Losing COD Points]
Winning and Losing COD Points


Every Wager Match costs money to play. Of course, the amount of money varies, by a lot. You can get into a match with 10 COD points or with 20,000. (More on that later)

Once you're in the game, a certain amount of COD points are removed from your account. Then you play the game and get a change to win those points back, plus many more.

In each wager match, there are usually 6 players (never more than that). If you place in the top three, then you get COD points. If not, then you lose your original bet. That means if you're in the top 50% in your match, then you earn COD points. Not bad chances

There are three levels of Wager Matches:
-Ante Up
-Weekend Gambler
-High Roller

Ante Up has a buy-in of 10 COD points.
Weekend Gambler has a buy-in of 1,000 COD points.
and High Roller has a buy-in of 10,000 COD points.
(If you don't have enough COD points to buy-in, than you won't be able to play).

[multipage=How to Get Good at Wager Matches]
How to Get Good at Wager Matches

Here are a couple decent ways:

1) Play Ante Up.
This is the greatest way to get used to Wager Matches, and it only costs you 10 COD points, which you might get back anyways. Play a lot in this category.

2) Play Free For All online.
Every Wager Match is in free for all mode, so if you don't play FFA much, get used to it.

3) Practice your Best and Worst game modes.
Your best game mode is important, because if you're really good at one particular mode, and you're playing Ante Up or Weekend Gambler, then it's almost guaranteed COD Points.
Your worst game mode is also important though, because in "High Roller", you don't choose which game you're playing. Don't wanna end up playing your worst game mode, do you? =D

4) Read the tips in this guide.
Trust me, they (should) help

[multipage=Good Tips for All Matches]
Good Tips for All Matches

Even though the Wager Matches vary greatly, there are still some general tips that work for all of them.

1) Get used to the game modes.
Just play Ante Up.

2) No Pressure.
Most people mess up under pressure, and chances are you're one of those people. Don't freak out; sometime's it's best to not even check the score.
(If you are one of the lucky few who do better under pressure, check the score a lot )

3) Don't play when you need COD points.
If you really need some COD points and decide to play Wager Matches, it just puts a lot more pressure on you. Instead, try to stock up on COD points regularly- just play Wager Matches from time to time, when you're not pressured to win. That way, you'll probably win more.

4) Find The Building and Conquer it.
When one person shoots another, a red dot appears on the radar. When everyone starts flocking toward that red dot, they kill each other, and more red dots follow. Soon, everybody is sprinting toward that building. Get inside that building and kill everyone. You can camp in a corner or run back and forth between all of the entrances, but either way, The Building is the key to winning.

5) Keep in mind that you're playing for money.
This is not the time to get a 360 noscope killcam. Or any other similarly stupid ideas.

That's about it

[multipage=Tips: One in the Chamber]
Tips: One in the Chamber



This is a good gametype, especially if you're extremely good at knifing.

Everyone starts off with a single bullet. Most people shoot that bullet at the first person they see. Most people miss that shot.
Don't be most people.

I'll put it this way: A person with a single magical insta-kill bullet has a pretty big advantage over someone with just a knife. Make it happen.

When you and an enemy see eachother, dodge the first bullet by jumping, running, spinning, crouching, diving, etc. Chances are they'll take a shot at you and they won't be able to hit the target. (Better yet, make them shoot from far away).

At that point, all you need to do is wait for them to come running at you. Here, you have two options:

1) If they're running straight at you:
Back up, line up the shot, and shoot.

2) If they're running toward you while trying to dodge your bullet:
Knife them. It's better to not waste a bullet. Just wait until they're close, strafe to the side, and then knife them after they're already lunging at you. It's a classic technique, and very effective.

There are two good ways to practice for this game:

1) Get good at aiming precisely (one shot one kill)

2) Practice knifing.
Just start a lobby with a bunch of friends and knife-fight. It's the best practice you could ever get for this game mode.

[multipage=Tips: Sticks and Stones]
Tips: Sticks and Stones



First of all, knife kills (melee, not Ballistic Knife) are only worth 25 points in this game, vs. 100 points for a Crossbow or Ballistic Knife kill. Try to avoid using knives as much as possible.

Second, keep moving.
If you ever stop, you will be nailed by a Tomahawk. Hard.
And trust me, when you're in first place in a High Roller match with 5 seconds to go and you're hit, you're going to throw your controller at something expensive. I sure did

Also, while Tomahawks do reset scores, a kill with them is only worth 10 points. So if you're in first place (with no reason to lower someone else's score) try to get 100 point kills instead.

Killing yourself in Sticks and Stones will make you lose all your points.
Use this to your advantage; if you're stuck with a Crossbow, sprint at the person who shot you. I think that goes without saying, but still, it'll help a lot.

Finally, remember that every weapon in this game type has an arc. At long distances, aim high, or you'll hit the ground instead of your opponent.

[multipage=Tips: Gun Game]
Tips: Gun Game



This is both my personal favorite and my best Wager Match game mode.

You start off with a pistol (The Python with a Speed Reloader) and make your way up to the Ballistic Knife.

The gun list:
1. Python Speed Reloader
2. Makarov Dual Wield
3. Spas-12
4. Stakeout
5. MP5K
6. Skorpion Dual Wield
7. AK74u
8. M14
9. M16
10. Famas
11. AUG
12. HK21
13. M60
14. L96A1
15. WA2000
16. RPG7 (PS3 or Xbox 360) or Grim Reaper (PC and Wii)
17. M72 LAW
18. China Lake
19. Crossbow Explosive Tip
20. Ballistic Knife

There are a ton of tips for this mode:

1) Find your trouble guns.
Everyone has them, guns that we seem to not be able to get a single kill with (in Gun Game, mine would be the China Lake). Work with these guns as much as possible and get used to them.

2) Never freak out if you're playing awfully.
This game mode is perfect for comebacks. Even if you're in last place by a ton of points, it's possible to get back in first. That's coming from both firsthand experience and seeing other people do it online.

3) Kill 14
This seems to be the hardest kill for anyone to get.
There are two sniper rifles in Gun Game. The first one, you get after your score reaches 13 (usually after your 13th kill).
If you look at the scoreboard mid-game, there are times when the entire team has a score of 13, and there are times when a person who is 10 points ahead of everyone else but never gets past 13.
It's because everyone seems to be awful at sniping in the Gun Game. My Advice: Read On.

4) Sniping
Sniping in the Gun Game is a lot different from in Ranked Matches. I honestly can't explain why, but as soon as you get there you'll know what I mean.
Basic advice: Don't use regular sniping spots. Actually, my best advice is to find a spot on the ground level, not in any buildings, where you can see across a long stretch of the map. Just pick off people as they run by and you'll be done with sniping in no time.

5) Don't worry too much about knifing.
In Gun Game, if you're knifed, you return to your previous gun. However, when you knife someone, you don't advance to your next gun. So if someone sneaks up behind you, they're more likely to shoot you in the back then to knife you, since it helps them out more.

6) Killing someone via car does not get you to the next gun.
Sorry. Just a general rule, if you didn't already know.
This is probably most useful to know once you get to the good ol' exploding weapons.

Just playing this game mode a lot will get you used to all of the guns, and that's really the best way to prepare for playing it.

[multipage=Tips: Sharpshooter]
Tips: Sharpshooter



This is defiantly the fairest game, considering everybody always has the same gun.

1) Get Killstreaks to get Good Perks.
1 Kill: Sleight of Hand Pro
2 Kills: Lightweight Pro
3 Kills: Steady Aim Pro
4 Kills: 2x Score Multiplier

Add them all together, and you have a nice advantage over the other players. Also keep in mind that the 2x Score Multiplier becomes 4x during the final, Sharpshooter round.

2) Use the Sharpshooter Round Wisely
Every kill in the last 45 seconds of the game (or "Sharpshooter Round") is worth twice as much. Keep that in mind.

3) Remember that everyone has the Same Gun.
This can be used to your advantage. Even if you have a shotgun and you and an enemy see eachother across the map, he has that exact same shotgun. No need to worry about him hitting you anytime soon.

4) Watch out for Silent Rounds.
I believe that this is the only Wager Match type where you can get a silenced gun. In that case, the radar becomes completely useless, since there are no spy planes. Find people the old fashioned way.
Remember to check the radar right before the end of each round, so that if there are a lot of people in one area, you'll know where they are even if the weapons become silenced.

5) Run and Gun with the Sniper, if you can.
Q: What happens when everyone in the game gets a sniper rifle?
A: Nothing.
Everyone camps, and not too much happens. I'd personally recommended running around with the sniper and shooting people close-range, if you're good at it. If you really can't, then just sit tight until the next round.

[multipage=Closing]
Closing

Thanks a lot for reading the guide, I hope you got something out of it =D

Of course this is a rather large guide, and as of right now I'm the only person contributing to it.
Which means there's bound to be mistakes all over the place.

If you're reading this and think I missed something or got something wrong, then just say so, and I'll add it in as soon as I can.

...
Now it's about 2:10 AM here, which means NGU is down for maintenance. Which means I'm gonna sit here for about 5 minutes and stare at my computer until it returns to normal. Or maybe I'll go play some Wager Matches.

Very good guide

you've put effort into this, nice one

awesome post

A lot of reading man, but I read the whole thing. Good post, but here's your whole article summarized:

Run around, kill, avoid being killed.

That's what you need to do for all four game types.

Nice post dude, must of took allot of effort.

great tips especially one in the chamber

Great guide I basically only play wager matches but on high roller but I suck at One in the chamber so those tips really help :y:
PS. I seem to find the WA2000 harder than the L96A1 just personal preference maybe

Haha thanks everybody =D



I agree, I'm just trying to use a bit more detail
Seriously though, that's really all there is too it.



Thanks, and I usually have more trouble with the WA2000 too (L96A1 is usually a one-shot-kill)
It just seems like that's the gun that most people have an issue with,