Dota 2 Esports: Examining 9Pandas and BetBoom’s Rule Violations in 2023

In the dynamic and highly competitive world of Dota 2 Esports, particularly among Eastern European teams, there’s a rising trend that’s drawing unwanted attention. EEU teams, notably 9Pandas and BetBoom Team, are increasingly facing penalties for a variety of rule violations. This pattern has raised questions about the discipline and adherence to regulations among teams from this region.

Eastern European Teams in the Spotlight for Dota 2 Esports Rule Violations

9Pandas, a team making strides in the Dota 2 arena, unfortunately, finds itself more often in the news for rule infractions than for gameplay. The most recent instance occurred at ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, marking their third penalty within the year. This incident was notably covered in a Russian-speaking broadcast, highlighting that their team carry, Alik “V-Tune” Vorobey, unexpectedly left the playing area during a pause in gameplay.

This infraction led to a draft penalty against the team, ultimately affecting their strategy and performance in the subsequent match against Falcons, where they faced a defeat.

A Year of Penalties for 9Pandas

The journey of penalties for 9Pandas in 2023 began with a reprimand for making public statements that were deemed harmful to the image of the Dota Pro Circuit (DPC) 2023 Summer Tour organizer.

The team incurred a second penalty at TI12 due to their late arrival for a scheduled media day. These incidents not only reflect a pattern of rule violations but also bring to light the challenges teams face in maintaining professional conduct in high-pressure environments.

BetBoom’s Track Record of Rule Breaches

Yet, 9Pandas’ series of mistakes look like a child’s play when compared to BetBoom.

BetBoom, another team hailing from Eastern Europe, has its share of disciplinary issues. Starting off light is a seemingly minor but notable incident involved fining their player, Vitalie “Save-” Melnic, for being late to a team breakfast during the Bali Major 2023. This seemingly trivial incident resulted in Save- having to pay up $200 in penalty, but also underscores the strict adherence to professionalism expected by his organization, BetBoom, so kudos on them.

However, a more serious violation occurred when fellow teammate offlaner, Ivan “Pure” Moskalenko was found watching a live stream of the tournament during a game pause, leading to a consequential default loss against Tundra Esports. This penalty not only affected the team’s standing in the tournament but also led to the infamous beef between BetBoom x Azure Ray that spanned till the International 2023 (TI12).

The Controversial Figure of Pure

Pure, known in the Dota 2 Esports community for being a young prodigy, has also been at the center of controversy. Fans heavily criticized his prior conduct while playing for Virtus.pro, especially an incident involving inappropriate in-game behavior. His mistake was drawing the “Z” symbol on the mini-map of his match versus Mind Games, which at the time, was a disrespectful symbol.

This highlights the broader issue of maintaining sportsmanship and respect within the competitive Esports arena.

ESL’s Firm Stance on Rule Enforcement in Dota 2 Esports

ESL, a major organizer in the Esports scene, enforces stringent rules. The ESL One Kuala Lumpur 2023, featuring a significant prize pool and essential ESL Pro Tour (EPT) points, serves as a stark reminder to all participating teams of the serious consequences of rule violations. The event’s strict governance model ensures fair play and professional conduct, setting a standard for other tournaments in the esports industry.

As for the recurring penalties faced by teams like 9Pandas and BetBoom, let’s hope that these teams learnt their lessons and be more careful going into the new 2024 season.