They say the gap between amateur players and pro athletes in sports is so wide you could fit the Grand Canyon inside. That may be an over-exaggeration, but there’s some truth to it. It also begs the question: what other situations does this apply to? What separates casual players from top-tier professional gamers?

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If you’ve ever thought about this, especially for PUBG Mobile, the answer is actually the same. But what exactly makes that difference? To answer that burning question, we sat down with Christopher Okoro, aka Ghost, an esports player, community manager and content creator. He’s been in the competitive scene long enough to know what works, what doesn’t and what it takes to survive (and thrive) in those high-pressure lobbies.

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Nail the Edge Play Strategy

Ghost swears by what he calls the “diamond edge strategy.” It sounds like something a few Marines or a high-profile coach came up with, but it’s a simple yet powerful tactic: play near the edge of the zone. Here’s why:

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“This keeps your team’s back safe while allowing opportunities for you to face fights happening within the zone as a third party.” “For this, quick execution is very important. Sometimes, you’ll need to win fights fast to secure a point and avoid zone damage.” 

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However, Ghost also warns against rigidly sticking to one pattern: “There’s always room for intuition, and I advise players to allow that. It’s what keeps you at the top of the game. You have to trust your instincts when the situation demands it.”

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Map Awareness is Everything

Playing competitively begins long before your avatar’s boots hit the ground. You could even say how you’ll play a match is already determined in the lobby.

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“You’ve got to track the teams you’re up against, figure out their drop spots, and plan accordingly. By the time you’re landing, you’re already scanning for potential threats; spot who’s dropping nearby and communicate with your team.” And one more thing: he recommends plotting paths that avoid hot zones on the PUBG map to prevent unnecessary encounters during rotations. His team uses in-game markers to map out these rotations, which helps keep them alive and ready for the endgame.

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Speaking of maps, Ghost’s favourites are Erangel and Miramar. “They’re large maps with open fields, perfect for proper scouting and planning. The luck factor is minimal with them, especially on Mirimar, which is why I prefer them.”

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Communication Wins Matches

In Ghost’s words, “Competitive PUBG Mobile is a team sport. Without quick, clear communication, you’re toast.” The goal is to pass information quickly so the team or the IGL (in-game leader) can make quick decisions. 

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His team primarily relies on the in-game voice chat, but the third-party app ‘Parallel’ is a good substitute when bugs hit.

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Mastering Team Roles

Every player has a role in competitive squads, but Ghost believes the best teams are the ones with versatility. “You’ll have a fragger, supporting fragger, and support players, but everyone should have the skills to frag, support, and think like an IGL,” he explains.

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This overlap ensures everyone’s on the same page, and no one is locked into a single role. This way, your team can boast a seamless energy, especially during high-stakes moments like ambushes or flanks. It also helps during scrims or matches where a player is unavailable or, in the worst case, gets disqualified for an error. At the very least, it’s an effective tactic.

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Case in point, Ghost recalls a critical match during the AEL qualifiers: “We used a late rotation to overtake gatekeepers, then gate-kept them in return. Moved to the centre zone, third-partied other teams and repelled crashes. It was intense, but the execution was perfect.” 

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And it won them the match.

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Managing Pressure

You can’t talk of competitive play without the issue of pressure. Competing at the highest level of any sport comes with its share of stress, but Ghost has a mindset that keeps him grounded. “I see every event as a chance to gain some experience. I’ve practised enough not to panic, so I just stick to the game plan. Focusing on what you might lose or gain only brings fear or greed, which ruins gameplay.”

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Adapt or Die

PUBG Mobile updates can shake things up, but Ghost would advise prospective players not to sweat it. “Most new maps and mechanics aren’t used in tournaments,” he notes. “For example, self-revive is not allowed; therefore, we can’t create a strategy around that.”

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The loadout meta remains steady: M416, UMP or a shotgun for close-quarter combat.

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What about new weapons like the DBS? “It’s changed close-quarter fights significantly. You have to respect its power,” he adds. 

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As for specific training routines or drills for improving skills in competitive PUBG Mobile, Ghost recommends practising 1v1’s to improve close Quater combats, training ground drills to fine-tune sensitivity, and trying 4v4 modes against other teams.

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Advice for Aspiring Competitors

For PUBG players looking to transition from casual to competitive play, Ghost holds that competitive gaming is more about quick calculations with the maximum amount of information the team has gathered placed alongside the basics. 

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“You just have to ensure you realise competitive gaming is easy and complex. It is easy in the sense that it involves the basics. It's complex because you must master the basics and outwit more vigorous opponents.”

Watching replays and analysing gameplay also matters in the grand scheme of things. “You’ll spot mistakes you didn’t notice at first in-game, and that’s usually a game changer for team strategies.”

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Moving on to pitfalls, one major tip he gives is to avoid the camping trap. “A passive approach is something you don’t want for your gameplay. You won’t make it far by camping, so learn how to fight and be aggressive early in, then work on finding balance. Starting too passive makes it harder to scale up later.”

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Finally, burnout is another factor to look out for. Ghost avoids this by balancing his PUBG pro-gaming with other activities. “Because I ensure that it’s not the only thing I do, and by planning my time judiciously, I enjoy it when I get to play. And I am off to other things once I am done, so I don't get tired of the game.”

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The Final Word

There you have it. Big thanks to Ghost for sharing his experiences and expertise as a pro gamer in PUBG Mobile. It’s everything you need if you’re looking to make the jump from casual to competitive player. So, grab your squad, hit the lobby and start climbing.

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And if you’re prepping for your next match, what better way to ensure you’ve got what it takes to win than with the right gear?  Stock up on UC, upgrade your loadouts and dominate the competition. Wherever your location is: Egypt, Kenya, or Nigeria, you can grab your top-up easily from the  Carry1st Shop. See you in the drop zone!

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