As much as Counter-Strike is a game of aim, it's also one of information and timing. Although watching a perfect execution is jaw-dropping, the graceful push-and-pull of information between top teams in default setups is just as enthralling. In a slow and default round, both sides will spar like fencers until a mistake is made or an advantage is gained. Usually, it's either through a surplus of information or a crucial pick. In solo-queue, we all know that communication is sub-par. So, to better carry your teams and win more games, let's take a look at five must-know hints for working picks in CS:GO.





Know your rollouts and timings

Specifically, at the start of rounds. Make sure you know the various spawns of each map and how they could affect your timings. Going for an aggressive pick early can be very rewarding, but it is usually anticipated and can be countered. Therefore, executing with perfect timing can be the difference between winning or losing a pick.





Know your angles

This one is a no-brainer, yet there are still many high-ranked players who do not put this knowledge into practice. Improper crosshair placement will add crucial milliseconds to your reaction times, which will lower your opening duel win rate. Along with that, having solid knowledge about angles can encourage caution and calculated aggression, which reduce death rates. It might even help you get a cheeky kill or two from pre-firing or nade-stacking. Though it takes a bit of intuition, these plays are very low-risk and everyone loves to see them.





Know your self-nades

In a default, you'll usually be working by yourself or with one other teammate. And if you're solo-queuing, it's usually the former. So, take initiative and gain the upper-hand by utilizing your grenades. A simple flash could blind your enemies, an HE grenade could slow or distract an opponent, and a molotov or smoke can pre-clear a tough angle for you. To learn a few self pop flashes for each map in the map pool, check out YouTube channels like TrilluXe. Soon, you might even be able to pull off plays like these:



Video courtesy of Virre

Know your opponents

Too many players mindlessly run down a chokepoint without a plan. Furthermore, they don't anticipate their opponents' tendencies. Think about it. At the lowest level, if an enemy is playing in the same position every round, it should be your job to force them to stop... by killing them round after round. The next step is to anticipate what they are going to do. To do this, replay the situation from the previous round as if you were in your opponent's shoes. How would you react? What would you change? Then, formulate a plan to shut down your own strategy. After all, there's a reason that the best in the world essentially copy each other.





Know yourself

Perhaps more important than the previous point, many players don't consider their own strengths and weaknesses. Not every player is perfect, but the general rule is the more confident and comfortable you are in a given scenario, you will perform better. So, when you venture out of your comfort zone, you'll lack a plan-of-action, mechanical experience, and the knowledge of specific nuances. Of course, that doesn't mean you shouldn't venture out of your comfort zone. After all, practice makes perfect, and once you reach a certain level of proficiency, you'll be able to improvise certain plays on the fly. It's all about the individual.





On a final note, these tips only generate comfort. They make you more aware of your environment and more able to traverse it. In order to execute bolder plays to secure picks, you must have confidence. All of these tips will be useless if you don't have confidence. Thankfully, confidence grows from comfort. When you're aware of the scenario and performing well, you'll operate with a higher degree of confidence in your comfort zone. Comfort and confidence are directly correlated. Just take a look at Noah "Nifty" Francis' hyper-confident playstyle when he dropped a 50-bomb at IEM Sydney this past weekend and you'll see all of these tips in action.

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