Counter-Strike: FaZe vs Sharks (BO3) - Stake Ranked Episode 2 Playoffs

Platform comparison

Active sub-markets

Market context

FaZe Clan face Sharks in a lower bracket semifinal of the Stake Ranked Episode 2 Playoffs, a best-of-three Counter-Strike match scheduled for 29 May at 1:30PM ET. The conditional tokens on Polymarket currently price FaZe's victory at 96%, reflecting substantial confidence in the North American organisation's advancement. Settlement occurs on 30 May at 00:30 UTC, allowing roughly 23 hours post-match for resolution. The market defaults to 50-50 if the match does not conclude within seven days of the scheduled date, or if either team forfeits after play begins.

FaZe's recent form and roster stability provide the foundation for the market's heavy weighting. The organisation has maintained consistent top-tier placements in regional competitions throughout 2025, whilst Sharks operate at a lower competitive tier within North American Counter-Strike. Historical lower bracket matchups between established franchises and developing rosters typically favour the former, particularly in best-of-three formats where consistency compounds across multiple maps. The 96% probability reflects this structural advantage rather than exceptional recent performance differentials.

Traders should monitor official Stake Ranked communications for any schedule amendments or roster changes announced before 29 May. Technical disruptions affecting the broadcast or server infrastructure could trigger the seven-day delay clause, though such occurrences remain uncommon in established tournament infrastructure. FaZe's participation in concurrent international events could theoretically affect player availability, though no such conflicts are currently documented. The settlement window's tight margin—ending just 30 minutes after the latest possible match conclusion—leaves minimal buffer for administrative delays.

Methodology

This page is a comparison snapshot: one live quote (Polymarket), four reference venues with their key attributes, and a single execution path — every trade button routes to Polymarket UK, which mirrors the Polymarket order book directly.

Resolution & payout

Settlement runs on-chain. Polymarket's contract logic separates YES and NO shares as conditional tokens; at resolution the winning share lifts to $1.00 and the losing one to $0. The outcome input comes from the UMA Optimistic Oracle, which secures against bad resolution with a bond + dispute window.

Once finalised, the smart contract pays USDC to the holders' wallets within minutes — no withdrawal fees beyond Polygon network gas. Kalshi settles in USD via CFTC clearance, Betfair in account currency net of commission, Manifold in play-money mana with no cash-out.

FAQ

Where can I trade this market with the lowest fees?

On Polymarket UK, which mirrors the Polymarket order book at 0% fees. Kalshi charges up to 7% per trade; Betfair Exchange takes 2-5% commission on net winnings.

Is this market available outside the US?

Polymarket UK is available in most jurisdictions where Polymarket isn't directly accessible. Polymarket itself is geo-blocked in the US/UK/EU. Always check local regulations.

How does resolution work?

Through the UMA Optimistic Oracle on Polygon: a proposer submits the outcome, a two-hour challenge window opens, and USDC payouts settle automatically once the result is final.

What's the difference between YES and NO shares?

A YES share pays $1.00 if the event happens, $0 otherwise. A NO share pays $1.00 if the event doesn't happen. The market price between 0¢ and 100¢ is the implied probability.

What does it cost to trade on Polymarket UK?

Zero. Polymarket UK routes every order to the live Polymarket order book; the only cost is the Polygon network fee, typically under $0.01 per transaction.