Sniping can be a crucial part of any CS game. A good sniper can block off entrances, provide support, and devastate the opposing team.
The first lesson in sniping is to find out which gun you will be using. There are four sniper rifles in CS: The Scout, The AWP, The SG-550, and the G3/SG-1 Precision Sniper Rifle. The first task is to determine which sniper rifle suits you best for the map. The scout is 2750$, light, bolt-action, and will take about 2 shots to kill ana enemy. The AWP is 4750$, heavy, bolt action, and will take an enemy down with 1 shot most of the time. The SG-550 is 4200$, medium-weight, semi-automatic, and will take a few shots to kill an enemy. The G3/SG-1 is 5000$, heavy, semi-automatic, and is more powerful than the SG-550. Secondary Weapon - Once you've picked out your rifle, check to see what your secondary weapon is. A good pistol is key to any true sniper. When your primary weapon runs out of ammo, are you going to wait for it to reload? Hell NO!!! Whip out that handgun and dish out some more lead. It also can be good if you're rushed by more than one enemy. I recommend the desert eagle. It has the same power as the G3 sniper rifle at a close range. The Sig P228 is also a nice balance of power, clip size and accuracy. Personally, I think the glock is a pice of shit, and I don't buy a sniper rifle unless I have enough money for a different pistol. Hiding spots, backup, buddies - When sniping, make sure you get a good position with good cover. Also, your teammates should know where you are, and you should know where they are. One good strategy is to have a sniper buddy; someone with an assault rifle or submachine gun. If things get close, its good to have a friend to back you up and vice versa. Personal Defense - A lot of people use flashbangs, grenades, smoke grenades. Make sure you can easily escape grenades, and be careful not to look at flashbangs. If you turn the other way, you wont be blinded as much. Smoke grenades can also hide the enemy. be careful to watch your back when there is smoke covering on entrance.