Trade up contracts in CS:GO/CS2 can seem complicated at first, but they’re really just a fun way to mix and match skins—almost like mixing paint to get a new color. In simple terms, you trade 10 skins of the same quality for one skin of a higher quality. With a little bit of planning and understanding of a few key ideas, anyone—even a high school student—can get the hang of it.

What Is a Trade Up Contract?

Imagine you have 10 pieces of the same kind of puzzle, and when you put them together, you get one bigger, better puzzle. That’s the idea behind a trade up contract. You take 10 skins (puzzle pieces) of the same rarity (quality), and you exchange them for one skin of a higher tier. It’s a way to upgrade your inventory without having to spend extra money.

How to Execute a Trade Up: A Simple Step-by-Step

1. Collect Your Skins

• Same Quality: Make sure all 10 skins are from the same quality level (for example, all Mil-Spec).
• Same Type: Keep them in the same category, such as rifles or SMGs.
• Match Your Style: If you have special versions like StatTrak™, keep those together—they can’t be mixed with non-StatTrak™ skins.

2. Check the Skin Condition

Every skin has a “float” value that shows how worn it is. Think of it like the freshness of a fruit: the lower the number, the better it looks. When you trade up, the average condition of your 10 skins will affect the condition of the skin you get in return.

3. Mix and Match for Better Odds

Different skin collections offer different possible outcomes. If you use skins from collections that have fewer options for the final skin, your chances of getting the one you want might be higher.

• Example: If you pick 10 Sawed-Off Copper skins from the Dust Collection, you’ll have exactly three possible outcomes for your upgraded skin: Desert Eagle Blaze, P2000 Scorpion, or Glock-18 Brass. Each one has an equal 33.33% chance of appearing, which is a straightforward scenario because there’s only a single collection involved with three outcomes.

Try It Out for Yourself

If you’re curious about how your own combinations might turn out, you can even simulate CS:GO trade-up contracts online. These tools let you experiment with different skin sets and see possible results before committing in-game.

4. Submit Your Trade Up

Once you’ve picked your skins and checked their condition, submit the trade up contract in the game. The game will randomly choose one of the possible outcomes, and with a bit of smart selection, you can improve your chances of getting a high-quality skin.

A Real-World Strategy: Keeping It Simple

Let’s say you’re eyeing a restricted skin that’s popular on the market. You might try to use skins with lower float values (i.e., they’re in better condition) and choose collections where the number of possible outcomes is limited. This way, you’re not leaving it all up to chance. Many experienced traders use simple strategies like these to turn a gamble into a calculated move.

Use Tools to Simplify the Process

If you’d rather not do all the math on your own, there are plenty of user-friendly programs and websites that show you potential outcomes instantly. These tools let you plug in your skins, preview your odds, and save you the hassle of manual calculations—making the entire process more accessible and fun.

Final Thoughts

Trade up contracts are a great way to upgrade your CS:GO/CS2 skin collection without spending extra money. By keeping things simple—focusing on collecting the right skins, checking their condition, and using basic strategies—you can make smarter decisions and improve your chances of success. And if you need a little extra help, simulation tools can show you the potential outcomes before you commit to a trade.

Happy trading, and may your next trade up be your best one yet!