Rugby Betting Explained

Betting on rugby matches is nothing new but it has now grown beyond all recognition. In the past, you might have only bet on the outcome of a game, but now there are many more choices, such as betting on try scorers, the total number of points at the end of a match or the last team to score. Some of these betting options don’t need any specialist knowledge of the sport, but others do and it is worth knowing that rugby is, in fact, two sport not one.

Rugby League and Rugby Union

These two sports operate under different administrations and have their own codes – or what each sport calls its own laws. Rugby league is played by thirteen players per team on the pitch at any one time, whilst rugby union is made of fifteen participants per side. The scoring works differently, too, which is essential to know if your bet involves the overall score at the end of the match or the difference between each team’s total points. For example, a drop goal is worth three points in rugby union and only one in rugby league.

Handicapping

Many bookmakers know – statistically speaking at least – that many rugby fixtures can be one-sided affairs, with a dominant team getting on top early and wearing their opposition out. Therefore, they often offer bets based on handicapping the so-called underdog. This means they are awarded a number of imaginary points prior to kick-off making any wager on the result that bit more sporting – and fun. As draws are very rare in rugby, if you choose to bet on the result of a match without handicapping, this can be the best option for finding the longest odds.

Winning Margin Bets

These are usually fixed odds bets when it comes to rugby. Usually a bookmaker will offer odds for the margin of victory, in terms of points, within given ranges. For example, if one team beats another by less than six points you might be offered odds of 9 to 2. As the margin of victory is increased, so the odds will usually lengthen.

Spread Betting

Unlike fixed odds betting, spread betting allows betters to predict whether something in a match will come about before or after the time dictated by the bookmaker. This could mean betting on whether the first try will occur before or after the tenth minute. Equally, it could be whether the first successful goal kick is made before or after half-time. Spread betting also allows for other sorts of wagers, such as whether the total points scored will be higher or lower than a given figure.