Since the beginning of Counter-Strike in 1999 the game has been a huge success and now has a minimum of at least 1000 playing at any one time. The game has been an addiction for many and an enjoyment for others ever since its debut. Even now many new people being playing Counter-Strike and play it on a regular basis. Lots try and become more skillful in order to beat other teams in scrims and matches. They play against other teams in leagues like CAL and CPL. Many try and many make it to the leagues but a lot don't. I write this in the knowledge that I am not the best or even close, but I'm better then many and I feel the tactics I use can help those that have troubles getting kills and stay alive.
In order to survive one must know where the opposition is and what they will do. This is easy if you know the other person and play with them often but if you don't then it's up to probability. What are the most camped and effective spots? What weapons would they have? What will they do? When you figure this out, you will be able to evade, sneak up on and take out the enemies. When in a pub, everyone prefers running around instead of walking and this has its pros and cons. While running can get you yo your destination earlier and execute tactics faster but it is not quiet, and skilled players listen for footsteps to give away others positions. In a map with an objective its best to walk while near enemy territory or when you're in danger but when playing a kill or be killed map there is not much sneaking around and too much gunfire to hear footsteps.
Every person's playing style is different even if it is by something so minuscule as when to jump around the corner. In order to play well you will need to find out what is best suited to how you think, react, and move. Since every person is different it is hard to give a definite answer to what is best and what is worse. It all depends on you. I prefer the Mp5 for its accuracy and damage dealing potential, the Desert Eagle for it's lethal capabilities and the Awp for it's instagib effect. I practice with these weapons and use them often and in doing so I get the feel of how they work and how to use them to their highest potential. Fighting styles change over time so when you could be best witht he M4a1 now, you could later be best with the Sig Commando. Find a weapon and familiarize yourself with it and use it with conviction.
Camping is used extensively and with many variabilities including weapon, angle, popularity and how blocked from view or shadowed it is. Popular camping weapons are sniper rifles and normal rifles. In order to take out a sniper rifle best is to get close and keep moving in erratic movements to confuse the camper. Camping is very helpful in almost every map made but has the tendency to annoy administrators and fellow players to sometimes kicking/banning you from the game. While camping should be done well, it should not be over used and the objectives should come first. Most maps have defined camping areas that are almost always camped depending on the amount of the people in the game and who they are. I have found out that some of the most effective camping spots are the ones used the least and are therefore hard to notice. If one does not know where you are they can not shoot at you. Try and find a place that overlooks the area camped, is hard to see, hard to shoot at, and is not too hard to get to. For example, in the map de_dust near the middle of the map where the hallway exits next to (but not in) bomb site A, there is a pile of boxes that if you get someone too boost you onto, acts as a nice camping spot.
In a normal server teams won't use that much teamwork compared to competitive leagues. This is understandable since the pressure is next to nothing and the only thing you really need to worry about is having fun and staying alive. When you enter the leagues with your team you will require good teamwork and active communication. If something should go wrong then you will need your teammates in order to help you and win the round. Know your teammates well. The more you know someone the easier to communicate with them and the easier it is too understand what their next move will be so you can act accordingly. Cover your teammates like a fat kid on a cupcake and you will never lose a round.
As your playing keep track of what people do, how they act, what they use, and finally how you should counteract their strategies/blind noob spraying. After awhile all this information and strategies will accumulate and you will start using and accessing them without thinking and your reaction time will speed up.
Become a robot and you will lose but become unpredictable and you take away your oppositions greatest weapon.