How Many Rounds per Mode
| Mode | Max rounds | To win | Halftime | Overtime |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Premier | 24 | 13 | After round 12 | One overtime of 6 rounds |
| Competitive | 24 | 13 | After round 12 | None (12-12 is a draw) |
| Wingman | 16 | 9 | After round 8 | None |
| Casual | 15 | Most rounds won | None | None |
| Retakes | 15 | 8 | None | None |
These come from Valve's own game mode configs and announcements. Deathmatch and Arms Race have no rounds in this sense: Arms Race is won by getting two kills with every weapon in the sequence and finishing with a knife kill.
What Is MR12?
MR12 stands for "max rounds 12" per half. Valve announced on 31 August 2023, during the CS2 Limited Test, that Premier, Competitive and the Majors would use a maximum of 24 rounds in regulation, with a six-round overtime in case of a tie. CS:GO used MR15, a maximum of 30 rounds and first to 16.
Fewer rounds make matches shorter, and every round and every economic decision counts for more. The pistol rounds, rounds 1 and 13, now come around after a shorter half.
How Overtime Works
Only Premier has overtime in matchmaking. When regulation ends 12-12:
- Overtime is 6 rounds: three on each side, so first to 4 wins.
- Each team starts every overtime half with $10,000.
- Each team gets one extra tactical timeout for overtime.
- Premier plays one overtime. Majors and tournaments play as many as it takes.
Can a CS2 Match End in a Draw?
- Competitive: yes, at 12-12, because there is no overtime.
- Premier: yes, but only after overtime is also tied, at 15-15.
- Wingman: Wingman has no overtime, so an 8-8 match ends there.
Our CS2 ranks guide explains how CS Rating and skill groups work.
Round Timers
| Timer | Premier / Competitive | Wingman |
|---|---|---|
| Round time | 1:55 | 1:30 |
| Bomb timer after plant | 40 seconds | 40 seconds |
| Freeze time | 15s Competitive, 20s Premier | 10 seconds |
| Buy time | 20 seconds | 20 seconds |
| Starting money | $800 | $800 |
How Long Is a CS2 Match?
A round lasts at most 1:55 plus the bomb timer, but most end sooner. Counting freeze time and the pause between rounds, about two minutes per round is a fair average for Premier and Competitive.
| Match | Rounds | Rough length |
|---|---|---|
| One-sided Premier or Competitive (13-3) | 16 | About 30-35 minutes |
| Close Premier or Competitive (13-11) | 24 | About 45-50 minutes |
| Premier with overtime (16-14) | 30 | About an hour |
| Wingman | 9-16 | About 15-25 minutes |
| Retakes | 8-15 | Short rounds; Valve cut the gaps between them in November 2026 |
These are estimates from the timers above, plus warmup and the map veto in Premier. Timeouts add time too. Want a quicker game? See how Retakes works.
Timeouts and Surrender
- Tactical timeouts: Premier gives each team three 30-second timeouts in regulation and one more in overtime.
- Technical timeout: each team has one, up to 2 minutes, for connection or hardware problems.
- Surrender: since October 2023 every surrender vote needs a majority of the team to pass.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many rounds are in CS2 Premier?
Up to 24 in regulation. The first team to 13 wins, sides swap after round 12, and a 12-12 tie goes to one six-round overtime.
How many rounds are in CS2 Competitive?
Up to 24, first to 13, with a side swap after round 12. Competitive has no overtime, so a 12-12 score ends the match as a draw.
How many rounds is Wingman?
Up to 16. The first team to 9 wins, and sides swap at halftime after round 8.
What does MR12 mean?
MR12 means a maximum of 12 rounds per half, so 24 rounds in regulation. CS2 uses it for Premier, Competitive and the Majors. CS:GO used MR15, with 30 rounds.
How does overtime work in CS2?
In Premier, a 12-12 tie goes to overtime: six rounds, three on each side, with $10,000 starting money each half. The first team to 4 overtime rounds wins. Premier plays one overtime; if it is tied again, the match is a draw.
How long is a CS2 match?
A full Premier or Competitive match usually takes about 35 to 50 minutes, depending on how close it is. A Wingman match takes roughly 15 to 25 minutes.