Which Heroic player used Snap Tap to lose the map?

CS2 esports team Heroic just got overturned at ESL Pro League Season 20 for using Snap Tap, making it the first time Razer’s flash tech has lost players a game.

The Counter-Strike 2 esports scene has its fair share of controversy from cheating. Thousands of cheaters were caught in a Valve Anti-Cheat ban wave, and yet the issues remain for the game. Even the highest levels of play aren’t safe, as the ban of BC.Game’s joel for cheating showcased.

Still, not all instances of “cheating” are intentional. At ESL Pro League Season 2020, Heroic prepared themselves for their first game Ninjas in Pyjamas in what was supposed to be a standard upper-bracket bout. However, the organization caught onto one of Heroic’s members using illegal tech, causing a sudden loss on the first map.

Which Heroic player used Snap Tap?

Heroic player René “TeSeS” Madsen accidentally left Snap Tap on,  and upon detection, cost his team a map at ESL Pro League 20.

ESL Pro League has strict rules against using performance-enhancing tech such as Snap Tap in competitive play. Snap Tap allows games to pick up only the latest key pressed, even if two buttons are pressed at the same time, giving players simple access to advanced movement techniques. The lack of delay is particularly beneficial for counter strafing, a core skill for Counter-Strike players. Unfortunately, TeSeS accidentally forgot to turn off Snap Tap before the bout against NIP. He owned up to his mistake on social media.

“I didn’t notice it during the game or anything and obviously didn’t do it on purpose. I let the boys down and I’m devastated about it… Sry,” said TeSeS on Twitter.

His teammates supported his honesty and dissuaded fans from insulting one of their own. Amusingly, the official Heroic Twitter account posted a meme of Heroic losing to Snap Tap, while congratulating NIP for the good game.

Most fans also agreed that the judgment was fair, because, despite the lack of malice, Snap Tap was still banned under ESL Pro League rules. However, it’s worth noting that Snap Tap wasn’t banned in all tournaments before Valve’s August 2024 announcement denouncing the feature.

Regardless of fan discourse, Valve’s decision was final, and esports organizations updated their rules accordingly. With CS2’s relative youth in the esports scene, strict rules like these set the course for its future.