Major Stage 2, Day 1 Recap: November 29th
The Major has officially ramped up, and so has our profit margin. Yesterday’s high-stakes Bo1 slate saw us navigate the volatile field with precision, hitting three out of our four Daily Picks. While the Astralis result was a reminder of the Major's chaos, the dominant wins from FaZe, fnatic, and TYLOO ensured a very healthy start to the weekend.
Here’s the breakdown of where the money was made—and where it went wrong.
The Wins: Confidence and Value MAX
FaZe Clan (13-10 vs. Passion UA)
The Outcome: Win Secured
Analysis: We backed FaZe based on their championship composure, and it paid off—just barely. Passion UA showed incredible courage, pushing the Tier 1 squad to a tight 13-10 on Dust2. However, FaZe's utility usage and mid-round conversions, particularly late in the game, ultimately demonstrated the gulf between the elite and the promising. A shaky win, but a necessary one to bank the early profit.
fnatic (13-6 vs. 3DMAX)
The Outcome: Convincing Win
Analysis: This was a textbook example of backing form over legacy. Against a slumping 3DMAX squad (who were struggling to hit seven rounds in many recent matches), fnatic’s disciplined opening strategy proved overwhelming. The early economic advantage was secured and maintained, never allowing the French side a chance to build momentum. A solid, clean prediction.
TYLOO (13-5 vs. PARIVISION)
The Outcome: Dominant Win (Our Best Value Pick)
Analysis: This was the standout performance of the day. TYLOO was underestimated by the market, yet they delivered a spectacular performance on Mirage. Their aggressive early-round pace and mechanical sharpness simply caught PARIVISION flat-footed. The 13-5 scoreline was a statement: TYLOO is here to play, and they delivered enormous value for our picks.
The Miss: Astralis Stumbles in the Opener
Astralis (10-13 vs. Ninjas in Pyjamas - NIP)
The Outcome: Loss
Analysis: The volatility of Major Bo1s claimed its first victim on our sheet. Astralis struggled significantly with their conversion rounds on Nuke. They repeatedly won crucial advantages only to allow NIP to instantly reset the economy. While the individual skill was present, the collective decision-making was lacking, pushing the Danish giants directly into the dangerous 0-1 bracket.
Final Verdict
Hitting 3/4 tips to start Stage 2 is a fantastic return, translating to a significant overall profit for the day. Our analysis correctly identified the mental weaknesses of 3DMAX and the underrated firepower of TYLOO.
Today, the stakes are even higher with crucial 0-2 elimination matches and 1-1 battles. We carry this momentum forward.
Ready for the next set of picks?