Sometimes it’s good to go back to the basics just to make sure you’re doing everything right. Of course, if you’re a CSGO pro, this article probably seems redundant to you. You’re maybe even asking yourself: Who doesn’t know what? Well, knock it off, because our post is aimed not only at CSGO beginners but also at people who have been playing the game for many years. Just like you! Cases are a staple part of practically every Counter Strike update, and are one of the best to upgrade your Steam inventory. In this article, we will provide an in-depth explanation of what they are, but most importantly, also how to get them. So sit back and relax, because you’re in for a solid dose of some fundamental CS:GO knowledge.
What Are CS:GO Cases
CSGO Cases are types of Containers. Containers, on the other hand, are items exclusive to Counter Strike: Global Offensive, which provide players with the possibility of receiving randomly assigned cosmetic items. They are the most basic method of obtaining items used in CS:GO (Cs2) trading.
In the case of CSGO Cases (pun fully intended), these are special containers of cosmetic items that players can acquire through in-game drops on a secure VAC server. They drop randomly at the end of matches and are not tied to levels of XP gained. It’s also important to note that as of 2021, the drops are only available to Prime status holders, and players who only use the free-to-play version are unable to acquire them organically unless they’ve had the game since before it went free-to-play.
Cases were officially introduced in 2013 with the Arms Deal update, and the first case to appear was the CS:GO Weapon Case. It contained nine weapon skins and the first cosmetic knives in the Arms Deal finishes. These are usually released alongside a CS:GO Update and contain a collection of skins that are appropriately themed. Some of them, while theoretically available to all, provide special privileges for specific players. For example, Operation Cases drop more often for players who have earned a specific Operation Pass. However, when it comes to regular in-game drops, the crates you can get are indicated in the current Prime Drop Pool, which is updated from time to time by Valve.
Theoretically, it is possible to stumble upon other Cases classified as Rare, but the probability of this is around 1%. Here is a great video explaining the in-game drop system.
Can You Simply Open CSGO Skin Cases?
Unfortunately, the answer to this question is – no. You will not be able to get free CS:GO (CS2) skins this way. Although you can obtain cases organically in the game, you still need a matching key to open them.
Keys can be purchased on the Steam Marketplace. It used to also be possible to obtain them by trading with other players, but in 2019 Valve Corporation issued a special patch that blocked this option in order to prevent fraud. Since then, keys are not transferable and must remain in the inventory of the player who bought them.
How Many Types of CSGO Cases Are There?
All in all, there are 3 main types of CSGO cases. Namely:
- Black
- eSports
- Yellow
Particularly interesting are eSports and Yellow cases. Opening these containers requires unique keys, the proceeds from the purchase of which are donated in part to particular causes. In the case of eSports cases, they go to the Counter Strike eSports scene, and in the case of Yellow cases, to the accounts of community designers who participated in creating the skins contained in a given case.
How Many CSGO Cases Have Been Released so Far?
So far as many as 40 CSGO Cases have been released to the game, which the latest being the Revolution case. Here is a full list of them:
Classic cases:
- CS:GO Weapon Cases (3 editions)
eSports cases:
- eSports 2013
- eSports 2013 Winter
- eSports 2014 Summer
Operation cases:
- Bravo
- Phoenix
- Breakout
- Vanguard
- Falchion
- Wildfire
- Hydra
- Shattered Web
- Broken Fang
- Riptide
Community-designed Yellow cases:
- Winter Offensive
- Huntsman
- Chroma (3 editions)
- Shadow
- Revolver
- Gamma (2 editions)
- Glove
- Spectrum (2 editions)
- Clutch
- Horizon
- Danger Zone
- CS20
- Prisma (2 editions)
- Fracture
- Snakebite
- Dreams & Nightmares
- Recoil
- Revolution
Ways to Obtain Cases in Counter Strike
There are to main methods of obtaining CS:GO cases. Now we’re going to breakdown both of them in order for you to figure out the way of getting your dream container.
Playing the Game
As you’ve probably figured out by now, the main (and most profitable) way to acquire cases in Counter Strike is to simply play the game. Of course, this method is not so great when it comes to acquiring specific skins from specific collections, because the drops are always random. Besides, it requires a lot of time and patience, as statistically, it is possible to get only 2-3 containers per week, regardless of the number of matches played. However, it is still a great way to upgrade your inventory, especially for players with low budgets. You can also sell your weapon cases, just like you would sell CS:GO (CS2) skins.
We recommend playing Operation Missions as soon as they are available. It’s a great way to get new containers, including exclusive cases. Unfortunately, there are currently no Operations, and Valve hasn’t announced anything new for a while.
Buying Cases on the Steam Market
The easiest and most common way to obtain cases is to simply buy them. This comes with many benefits, such as being able to choose the specific container you want and getting it right away without putting much effort into it. Of course, as usual, convenience comes at a cost. However, in the case of cases (we’ve done it again!), it can actually be worth it, especially considering how much time you have to spend in the game to even get the drops.
You may be asking yourself how to buy cases in CS GO. Well, it’s actually pretty simple. First of all, you can just get them on the Steam Community Market, which is the official Steam marketplace established by Valve Corporation. There you won’t have to worry about being scammed and losing your money. On top of that, the site offers a wide selection of items, which means there’s a good chance you’ll find your dream case on it. However, you should also be aware that Steam charges a lavish percentage on each transaction, and the only accepted form of payment there are Steam Wallet Funds, which are non-refundable and can only be used for other purchases on Valve’s platform.
Of course, cases can also be found on third-party sites such as SkinsMonkey. We are a trusted trading platform where players can find their dream items at affordable prices. Not only do we offer a large selection of cases, but we also provide fast transactions, convenient payment methods, and 24/7 customer support should any problems arise. With us, you can be sure that you will always get your money’s worth and you don’t have to spend hours playing CSGO in order to get your dream drop.
If you’d like to find more about the process of trading CSGO items on SkinsMonkey, be sure to visit out Help Center tab, where everything is explained in great detail.
Conclusions
Cases are an important part of CSGO, and have been since they first appeared in the game in 2013. Whether you acquire them through drops or buy them on the Steam Market, they are always a nice way to refresh your gear. Read this article and learn everything there is to know about these types of items. Then head straight to SkinsMonkey and look for your dream cases that will help you take your Counter Strike experience to the next level.

A true gaming enthusiast, especially Counter-Strike: Global Offensive and Rust. At SkinsMonkey, he is involved in creating game guides based on his own experience.