How to Play Practice with Friends in CS2

When it comes to practicing in Counter-Strike 2 (CS2) with your friends, it’s all about finding the right setup that works for everyone. Whether you’re looking to sharpen your aim, test out new strategies, or just have a casual gaming session, spending time to play practice with friends in CS2 can be fun and productive.

Setting Up a Private Match

The simplest way to get started is by setting up a private match. Here’s how I do it:

1. Invite Your Friends

First things first, make sure all your friends are added to your Steam friends list.

I find it easiest to hit Shift + Tab while in-game to pull up the Steam overlay and invite them directly from there.

2. Create the Private Match:

• Click on the “Play” button from the main menu.
• Navigate to the “Matchmaking” tab and select “Private Matchmaking.”
• Here, you can share the matchmaking pool code with your friends, or invite them directly if they’re already on your friends list.
• You can customize the match to your liking—pick the map, adjust the game mode, and even tweak the bot settings if you want some extra opponents in the mix.
• Once everyone’s ready, just hit “Go” and you’re all set​.

Also Check: How to See Which Friends Have CS2

Advanced Practice Options

Sometimes, I like to take it up a notch by customizing the experience further. If you’re like me and enjoy a more tailored practice session, here are a couple of options:

Using Console Commands

• If you want to practice specific scenarios, enable the console (~ key) and use commands like bot_add_t or bot_add_ct to add bots to your match.
• You can adjust the bot difficulty using bot_difficulty [0-3], where “0” is the easiest and “3” is the most challenging.
• Another handy command is mp_restartgame 1, which restarts the match—perfect for resetting after a practice round.

Also Check: Best Console Commands in CS2

Dedicated Server Setup

• If you’re more technically inclined, you can set up a dedicated server. This requires some additional steps, like port forwarding on your router, but it gives you full control over the match.
• Once set up, you can invite your friends by sharing the server’s IP address. This method is great if you want to practice in a more controlled environment, especially for competitive play.

Also Check: How to Play Workshop Maps With Friends in CS2

Additional Tips

Sometimes, I like to mix things up by using custom maps from the community. These can provide unique scenarios that standard maps don’t offer, making for a fresh practice experience.

Also, if you’re not into the technicalities of port forwarding, you can use Hamachi to create a virtual LAN network. It’s a more user-friendly option that still lets you enjoy private matches with your friends.

Conclusion

In essence, by following these steps, you’ll be set up to play practice sessions with your friends in CS2. Whether you’re grinding to improve or just looking to have a good time, these setups will have you covered.

Frequently Asked Questions