What You Can and Can't Do in CS:GO

This article will reveal important points you should keep in mind when playing CS:GO. The information will be useful not only to beginners, but also to experienced gamers. Some of the tips describe common mistakes made by newcomers, while others will help make the game itself easier.

These recommendations won't make you a top-tier player, but they will be very useful in the early stages. When following some of them, it's best to rely on your own sense of the game. Some tips are best applied in clearly defined situations.

What Not to Do

• Your crosshair shouldn't be pointed down at the ground or at the opponent's feet. This is a common mistake on small maps.
• After you hear the defuse sound, don't peek immediately. Wait about 3 seconds before taking any further action.
• If you haven't killed the enemy after 10 shots, don't keep firing the rest of the burst. First, find cover so you can shoot from a safe position.
• When the enemy knows you're nearby, forget about walking. You also shouldn't walk if there's only one entrance available.
• Don't reload your weapon if your position isn't safe and you have only 5-6 bullets left. First, find reliable cover, and only then reload.
• Don't leave or peek out of cover before the reload is complete.
• If the enemy team has an AWP or AK and you have no money to spare, buying a helmet will be useless.
• It's also best to forget about eco rounds. This applies when the terrorists have $3500. For CTs, it's from $4000. Again, don't buy a helmet if the enemy team has little money.
• When you're in a dangerous area and have no more than five bullets left in your magazine, don't think about reloading. First, find another place to take cover. Only then should you reload.
• Also, don't peek or leave your cover until you've finished reloading.
• If the other team's players have an AWP or AK and you have no money to spare, buying a helmet will be pointless.
• It's also best to forget about eco rounds. This applies when the terrorists have $3500. For CTs, it's from $4000. Again, don't buy a helmet if the enemy team has little money.
• It's a bad idea to stand behind someone who's peeking around a corner. This is especially dangerous if they have an AWP. If they miss their target, it's important for them to be able to hide and reload. But if you're getting in their way, they'll get killed.
• Don't charge straight in and deliberately expose yourself to fire if you're responsible for the bomb. You only need to plant it in a safe place where your opponents won't be able to find it.
• Use strafing only when peeking out of cover.
• Running with a grenade in your hand is a bad idea. You'll move noticeably faster if you hold your knife.
• There's no need to criticize your teammates—it will only spoil the game and the end result.

What You Should and Need to Do

• Take pre-aimed shots at head level. The popular ambush spots are excellent locations for this.
• If you want to lure out an enemy, you'll need to use a fake bomb plant. To do this, first hold down "E". After the distinctive sound, quickly press "1"—this will pull out your weapon.
• While defusing the bomb, take a step, then press "E" several times. This lets you create the sound effects of a defuse. Then return to your original position. And when the terrorist team decides to peek, you'll suddenly be nearby.
• When defusing the bomb, take a step. Then start pressing "E". This will produce sound effects indicating that the bomb is being defused. Then return to your original position.
• When you're on the CT team, don't forget about flashbangs for defense. Smoke grenades may not work right away or produce the desired effect. Flashbangs, on the other hand, will give you extra time. They also give you a chance to get a frag.
• It's best to throw a Molotov into the popular ambush spots. Then enjoy watching your enemies scatter in a hurry.
• To help your teammates, use incendiary grenades. This will give you an additional 7 seconds to change positions.
• When planting the bomb, always assess the situation. Sometimes the best decision is to carry the bomb in unnoticed, while in other situations the whole team should push in. So first, study the area and the suitable bomb plant options.
• Flashbangs are a great way to help your teammates. Let them know you're about to throw one. This will help them peek safely and, in some cases, get another frag.
• Study good spots for smoke grenades in advance. You can find YouTube channels or other guides to help you learn the maps.
• Don't get angry or upset if a member of your team is better than you at using an AWP.
• If your team managed to plant the bomb in one of the first two rounds, but it was defused, buy equipment in the third round. You should have enough money.
• You need to study weapon recoil patterns in advance. This is especially important for the most popular models: AK, M4A1.
Keep a friendly attitude. Remember that your chances of finishing the round successfully increase when you look at everything optimistically.