1)The better is to play through steam(more abilities,options)
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2)The most of them are played through Steam and the most of the teams(Clans) use a chat program called "MIRC" to schedule their matches or to find opponents.....U can also subscribe in Esl.eu and register your personal profile and your team profile and find opponents via a smart tool they use.
3)If u don't use steam tool the only way to play with your friends is cracked non steam servers and LAN