Cache (pronounced "cash") is a bomb defusal map in Counter-Strike. When people talking about a match say they "played Cache", they mean this map, not computer memory.
What the map is
Cache is a classic bomb-defusal map: the terrorists try to plant a bomb on one of two sites, while the counter-terrorists defend them and defuse the charge. The two sites, as on most maps in this mode, are called A and B. The action takes place in an industrial area: warehouse zones, yards and corridors.
The defining feature of Cache is its open spaces. The corridors here are wider than on many other maps, and the lines of sight are longer. That is why accurate long-range shooting, skill with rifles and smart use of grenades to block vision and scout are especially valued on it.
Origin of the name
The map's full name is de_cache. The prefix "de_" in Counter-Strike denotes the bomb-plant mode (from "defuse"). Cache originally appeared as a community-made map and later joined the game's official map pool. The English word "cache" means "a hidden store" or "a stash" — it hints at the warehouse setting of the location.
How the word is used
Several forms appear in texts and commentary:
- "played on Cache" — the map name is written in Latin script;
- "on cache," "picked cache" — a colloquial variant, written in lowercase like an ordinary word;
- "de_cache" — the technical name in the console and server settings.
The word comes up when discussing the draft: before a match, teams take turns choosing and removing maps (a pick is choosing a map to play, a ban is excluding one). The phrase "took Cache" usually means the team won the match on this particular map, while "picked Cache" means they chose it to be played.
Why the map stays in conversation
Cache is liked for its clear rhythm: short fights alternate with positional ones, and the outcome of a round is often decided by who first gains an advantage at a key corridor. For this reason the map is often called a good gauge of a team's shooting skill. When it appears in a tournament bracket, viewers usually expect aggressive but well-calculated play at medium and long range.