CS 1.6 Economy Guide: When to Buy and Save Your Money

💡 The Hard Truth

Scenario A: Your team has full buy (M4/AK, armor, nades). Enemy has pistols only.

Result: You win 90% of the time, even if they’re mechanically better.

Scenario B: Your team has mixed buy (2 rifles, 3 pistols). Enemy has full buy.

Result: You lose 80% of the time, even if you’re mechanically better.

The lesson: Equipment > Skill in most situations. A coordinated economy gives you rounds where you have overwhelming equipment advantage.

🎯 The Three Rules of CS 1.6 Economy

1. Buy together, save together – Never have mixed buys (some rifles, some pistols)
2. Eco rounds are investments – Losing a save round on purpose = winning 2-3 future rounds
3. Economy is predictable – You can predict enemy money and plan accordingly

Personal realization (2009): I spent years thinking I was bad at aiming. Truth? My team’s economy was chaotic. We’d force buy randomly, never coordinate, always broke. Started managing economy properly – win rate jumped from 45% to 65% without improving my aim at all.

💵 Starting Money

Pistol round (Round 1):

• Everyone starts with $800
• No one has enough for rifles + armor
• This round sets the economy for rounds 2-4

Why pistol round matters: Winning pistol = guaranteed 2-3 round advantage. Losing pistol = forced eco round 2.

📊 How You Earn Money

Round Win Bonuses:

• Bomb planted (T): $800 per player (even if you lose)
• Bomb defused (CT): $250 to defuser only
• Round win: Varies by consecutive wins

Win Streak Bonuses:

• 1st consecutive win: $3,250
• 2nd consecutive win: $3,500
• 3rd+ consecutive wins: $3,500

Loss Streak Bonuses (IMPORTANT):

• 1st loss: $1,400
• 2nd consecutive loss: $1,900
• 3rd consecutive loss: $2,400
• 4th consecutive loss: $2,900
• 5th+ consecutive losses: $3,400

Critical insight: Losing 5 rounds in a row gives you $3,400 – enough for full buy. This is why “eco rounds” work – you’re building up to this bonus.

💀 Money Per Kill

• Rifle kills: $300
• SMG kills: $600 (MP5, P90, etc.)
• Shotgun kills: $600
• Pistol kills: $300
• Knife kills: $1,500 (lol)
• Grenade kills: $300
• Bomb plant (T): $800 (to planter)

Pro tip: On eco rounds, if you pick up an SMG, getting kills is worth double ($600 vs $300). This is why MP5 is popular on anti-eco rounds.

💰 The Money Cap

Maximum money per player: $16,000

What this means: If you have $14,000 and win a round for $3,500, you only get $16,000 total (not $17,500). The extra is wasted.

Strategic implication: If you’re at max money, drop guns for teammates who need them. Your money gain is capped anyway.

🛒 Full Buy Round

Definition: Everyone has enough money for rifles + armor + nades

CT Full Buy (~$4,500-6,000):

• M4A1 ($3,100)
• Kevlar + Helmet ($1,000)
• Defuse kit ($200)
• Flashbang ($200)
• HE Grenade ($300)
• Smoke ($300)
• Total: $5,100 minimum

T Full Buy (~$4,200-5,500):

• AK-47 ($2,500)
• Kevlar + Helmet ($1,000)
• Flashbang x2 ($400)
• HE Grenade ($300)
• Total: $4,200 minimum

Rule: If 4+ players can afford full buy, the team should full buy. If 2+ players can’t afford it, team should eco.

💸 Eco Round (Save Round)

Definition: Team intentionally doesn’t buy (or buys minimal gear) to save money for next round’s full buy

What to buy on eco:

• Nothing: Save all money (best option)
• Pistol only: Deagle ($650) or USP/Glock (free)
• Helmet only: If you have $650-1000 extra

Why eco: You sacrifice 1 round to guarantee you can full buy next round (or round after). This gives you equipment advantage later.

Eco goals:

• Don’t spend money
• Try to get bomb plant (T side – $800 bonus)
• Maybe steal a gun from enemy
• Survive (keep your money for next round)

⚡ Force Buy Round

Definition: Team buys the best they can afford, even without full money

Example force buy (~$2,000-3,500):

• Galil/Famas ($2,000/$2,250)
• Kevlar only ($650)
• Maybe 1 flash ($200)

When to force buy:

• Opponent is also low on money (both teams broke)
• Critical round (match point)
• You lost pistol + Round 2, now it’s Round 3 (force buy to break opponent’s economy)

When NOT to force buy:

• After losing Round 1-2 (eco Round 2-3 instead)
• When opponent has full buy (you’ll lose AND be broke)
• When your team disagrees (never force buy alone)

🛡️ CT Economy Challenges

CT economic disadvantages:

• M4A1 costs $600 more than AK-47
• Defuse kit required ($200 extra)
• Generally spend more per round
• No guaranteed bonus (unlike T bomb plant)

CT advantages:

• Can pick up dropped AKs (free upgrade)
• Defending is easier than attacking
• Win pistol = usually win rounds 1-3

💭 CT Economy Scenarios

Scenario: You have $3,800, rest of team has $5,000+

Solution: Ask for drop. Someone with $8,000+ can drop you M4 ($3,100) and you buy armor + kit ($850).

Scenario: 3 players have $5,000+, 2 players have $2,000

Solution: Eco. Don’t force 3 to buy if 2 can’t. You’ll have mixed buy and lose anyway.

Scenario: You killed 3 T’s and saved $6,000 worth of gear

Solution: Pick up AK’s from dead T’s. Save your M4 for teammates who died.

💣 T Economy Advantages

T side is economically easier:

• AK-47 costs only $2,500 (vs M4’s $3,100)
• Bomb plant = $800 per player (HUGE)
• One-shot headshot through helmet (AK > M4)
• Can steal CT’s M4s and kits

T challenges:

• Must attack (harder than defending)
• Need utility to execute (smokes, flashes)
• CTs can save easier (just hide)

💰 Why Bomb Plant Changes Everything

Scenario: Round 2 eco after losing pistol

Without bomb plant: $800 + $1,400 = $2,200 (can’t full buy Round 3)

With bomb plant: $800 + $1,400 + $800 = $3,000 (can buy AK + Kevlar Round 3)

This is MASSIVE. Getting bomb plant on eco round = you can semi-buy next round instead of full eco.

Eco round priority:

1. Plant bomb (most important)
2. Get kills if possible
3. Survive (save money)

My strategy: On T eco rounds, I rush a site with team, plant bomb immediately, then play for exits. We get $800 each even if we lose. Next round we can force buy.

⚠️ What Is Force Buying?

Definition: Buying when you don’t have enough for full buy, but buying more than eco (pistol only).

Example: You have $2,800. You buy Galil ($2,000) + Kevlar ($650) = $2,650. No helmet, no nades, but you have a rifle.

Risk: If you lose, you’re broke. Can’t buy next round either.

Reward: If you win, you break opponent’s economy and momentum.

✅ Good Force Buy Situations

1. Round 3 after losing pistol + eco (with plant)

You have ~$3,000. CT has full buy. But if you eco again, you’re 0-3. Force buy AK + Kevlar, rush a site. If you win, you break their streak.

2. Both teams are low on money

If you know CT can only afford pistol/SMG, your Galil + armor is enough advantage.

3. Critical rounds (11-4, you’re losing badly)

You need to win NOW. Eco’ing means you’re 12-4 or worse. Force buy and gamble.

4. Match point (someone is at 14 rounds)

Next round might be last round. Force buy everything you can.

❌ Bad Force Buy Situations

1. After losing Round 1

Don’t force buy Round 2. You’ll lose to CT’s SMG buy AND be broke for Round 3.

2. When opponent has full buy and you don’t

Your $2,500 Galil + Kevlar loses to their $5,000 M4 + Helmet + Nades. Just eco.

3. When your team disagrees

3 players eco, 2 players force buy = you have mixed buy. Everyone loses.

4. Early in the half (Rounds 4-6) when you’re slightly ahead

You’re 3-2 up. Don’t risk your lead. Eco properly, full buy next round.

🗣️ Communication Is Key

Every buy round, ask:

1. “How much money everyone?”
2. Check scoreboard (Tab) to see team money
3. Decide as team: “Buy or eco?”
4. If buying: “Who needs drop?”

Example communication:

• Player 1: “$5,200”
• Player 2: “$6,800”
• Player 3: “$2,800”
• Player 4: “$4,900”
• Player 5: “$7,000”

Decision: “Player 3 eco? No. Player 2 and 5 drop rifles. We all full buy.”

Player 2 drops AK ($2,500). Player 5 drops M4 ($3,100). Player 3 picks up, buys armor + nades with his $2,800. Team has 5 rifles + full armor + nades.

🎁 How To Drop Effectively

When to drop:

• You have $8,000+
• Teammate has < $3,000
• Team is buying

How to drop:

1. Buy the gun (AK, M4, AWP)
2. Press G (drop)
3. Teammate picks up
4. You buy yourself a weapon

Priority order:

1. Best player gets best gun (if someone’s fragging, give them AWP)
2. Poorest players get drops first
3. Everyone should have rifle minimum

🔮 Predicting Enemy Buys

You can calculate enemy money:

Example: They lose Round 1 (pistol)

• Round 2: They have ~$2,200 ($800 start + $1,400 loss)
• They will eco (or light buy)
• Your strategy: Buy SMGs, farm them for money

Example: They win Round 1, 2, 3

• Round 4: They have $10,000+ easily
• Full buy guaranteed
• Your strategy: You better full buy too

Example: They lose 4 rounds in a row

• Round 5: They get $3,400 loss bonus
• They will full buy Round 5
• Your strategy: Don’t underestimate. They’ll have gear now.