Off-Topic General Discussion - Page 3560

There are seven maps (nuke, inferno, mirage, dust2, cache, cbblestone and overpass) in the pool and team bans a map first. That leaves five maps and they take a turn to each choose a map, which will make up the first two to be played. In what is still considered a controversial decision, Valve implemented a random selection system for the deciding third map, which is played if the first two maps are split, whereby the final map is randomly selected from the three remaining. The strategical component here is similar to LoL, where you can both ban something the enemy is good on, or something strong you don't play, and attempt to pick something you are strong on.

The random selection in CS:GO becomes significant here, as it played a large role in helping NiP win the last major. In their first two play-off series they were able to draw cbblestone as the deciding map, against opponents who were not comfortable on it, and grind out the series with 16:14 wins on it. Had any of the other two maps come out in that random selection, there is a decent chance NiP would not have reached the final and thus hoisted the trophy.