One of the most important skills a Counter-Strike: Global Offensive player has is the ability to keep track of their economy. The game’s economy is comprised of a marketplace available to players at the start of each round. Throughout the game, players are able to purchase weapons, armor, and utility with money earned from each round in this buy menu.

In-game money is earned in several ways: killing enemies, winning rounds, losing rounds, planting the bomb, and defusing the bomb. What’s more, the money earned from killing an enemy is dependent on which weapon is used. Needless to say, all these variables contribute to an economic system that can be difficult to keep track of.

Managing one’s economy as the match progresses is important because it dictates the game’s flow and influences strategies. In fact, it’s not uncommon for teams to gain advantages because of a carefully managed economy. Likewise, having a few bad buys can lose you the match. Our guide is designed to give a few tips, useful for players of all skill levels. Together, we’ll walk through important dos and don’ts of CSGO’s economy to keep in mind next time you play.

DO buy and save along with your team

The biggest mistake a lot of players make is not paying attention to when your team is buying weapons or saving their money. While everyone is playing the same match, not everyone on your team has the same amount of money in the bank. Buying and saving in conjunction with your teammates guarantees you and your team will have the same quality buy each round. You don’t want to be the only person with an upgraded pistol or no utility while your entire team has AK-47s and full nades because you decided to buy when they saved. Vice versa, it’s just as bad for your team’s success if you’re the only one with an AK-47 while they’re all on pistols or a conservative buy.

It’s best to communicate at the start of the round whether or not you think it’s best to buy or save for the next round. Having open communication about buying at the start of the round so that everyone is on the same page will do your team’s economy wonders.

DON’T hoard your money (sharing is caring!)

Buying weapons and utility for your teammates is extremely important. As mentioned before, not everyone on your team always has the same amount of money. Therefore, it’s important to realize when it’s appropriate to gift your teammate the equipment they need to set them up for success.

For example, let’s say your team just won a few rounds in a row, but your teammate has died each round without getting a kill. You check how much money they have and see they don’t have enough cash to purchase a strong buy. Instead of having one of your teammates be the weak link, drop them a weapon so that they have money to invest in utility or armor. A great way of thinking about your economy is that your money is your team’s money. Everyone’s bank plays a part in your success and vice versa. Keeping all of your money to yourself while your teammates are struggling to scrape a buy together is going to do more harm than good.

DO loot your enemy’s body

An underrated way to save yourself money and stack your economy is to pick up guns and utility from your fallen enemies. Hold your horses, though. This doesn’t mean it’s the best idea to run at your enemies to kill them for their weapons. It’s safest to scavenge the site for items while your teammates have secured the round win so you’re not at risk of dying.

It’s not uncommon for you to upgrade your weapon and pick up a smoke that your enemy has dropped. In particular, watch for high value weapons like AK-47s and AWPs. It’s suggested that CT-sided players always trade their primary weapon (A4/A1-S) for an AK-47 because it’s a direct upgrade.

DON’T be afraid to save your weapon

We’ve all been in the position where we know the round is completely lost. Perhaps you’re on CT side, and the Ts have completely taken the site and you have no utility or backup to retake. In this case, it’s appropriate to step back from the fight, find a safe spot to hide, and save your weapon!

Saving your weapon is important for a few reasons. First of all, it’s going to do you more good to save your weapon for the next round than it is to run into a guaranteed lost fight. Second, surviving and saving your weapon might give you the opportunity to buy another gun for a teammate. There are instances where your team might not be completely broke, but a teammate or two doesn’t have money for a primary weapon. In this case, saving your weapon means you won’t have to rebuy yourself one, and instead you can drop for your teammate.

Lastly, saving your weapon means your enemy doesn’t earn money from your death and doesn’t get free equipment. Each secured kill earns players money, so running into a site when you’re the last one alive isn’t going to do much except throw a few hundred dollars into the hands of the opposing team. What’s more, remember that just like you, your enemy also has the ability to pick up weapons and equipment. If you can, it’s best to avoid dropping your weapon and equipment to them so that they’re forced to rebuy items during the next round.

Now that you’ve read through our guide are you ready to keep these tips in mind? Let us know what you do to keep your economy in check over on Twitter! Stay tuned to Dignitas for more Counter-Strike: Global Offensive guides!