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From top betting tips to advice on reading odds, our comprehensive guide to betting on rugby provides everything you need to keep up with the action.
Rugby league and rugby union are among the most popular sports in the UK, with thousands of fans across the country. Our guide to betting on rugby will help you follow the action at home and play along with your Betway account.
How does rugby betting work?
As with any other sport, the goal of rugby betting is to correctly predict the outcome of professional matches. To place a bet, you’ll choose an amount of money to put on a certain result (known as a stake). In the event of a win, you’ll earn your stake back as well as extra winnings depending on the odds of your prediction. In the event of a loss, however, you’ll lose your stake.
How to read rugby betting odds
You can typically find fractional odds used for rugby matches and tournaments, meaning that, for each bet, your chances of winning are presented as a fraction. The number on the right represents your stake, and the number on the left is how much of that stake you would win back.
For example, if you bet on England to win the Six Nations at odds of 3/1, you would earn three times your stake back, on top of your original money. That means that a successful £10 bet would earn you a £30 return (plus your stake).
Larger fractions typically mean an outcome is considered less likely, but they can return larger amounts if you bet correctly. If Scotland were given 14/1 odds to win the Six Nations, then a correct bet would earn you 14x your original stake. That means a successful £10 bet would win you an extra £140.
If you need rugby betting odds explained in simpler terms, read our fractional odds guide.
Rugby betting advice
There’s no guaranteed way to make a successful rugby bet, but there are some reliable methods you can follow to attempt to increase your chances of winning:
First, make sure you’re familiar with the teams and players. Even the best teams have their weaknesses, and understanding previous matchups will help you make a more informed decision when backing one side to win.
Home advantage is also an important factor in rugby. If a team is being cheered on by a local crowd, it can lend the moral support needed for victory. With this in mind, consider the game’s location and how it may impact the result.
Common mistakes when betting on rugby
When betting on rugby union or rugby league, there are some common pitfalls to avoid. Here are some frequent mistakes that rugby bettors sometimes make:
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Betting with your heart: Just because you want a team to win, it doesn’t necessarily mean they’re the most likely to. Pay attention to winning and losing streaks, as well as previous matchups between competitors, to influence your decision.
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Avoiding multiple bets: By placing multiple bets instead of singles, you can receive a form of insurance where you may still receive a payout if some of your outcomes don’t come true. Consider your options and select a package that best suits your needs.
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Chasing losses: If you’ve lost money on a bet, you may be tempted to place more to try and earn your money back. Make sure you’re keeping your emotions in check, and don’t make rash decisions in the event of a loss.
Popular rugby betting markets
Here are some of the most common markets you can choose from when betting on rugby:
Rugby Union
In Europe, the Six Nations is arguably the biggest rugby competition for bettors. This tournament sees England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy compete for the prestigious title, and it’s one of the world’s largest international rugby union contests.
If you’re looking for international rugby action outside of Europe, though, The Rugby Championship is the best place to watch the best teams from around the world.
Meanwhile, if club tournaments are more your thing, there are plenty of ways to keep up with your favourite teams. Premiership Rugby sees the UK’s best clubs go head-to-head, while the France Top 14 is the best place to catch French rugby action.
Rugby League
If you’re keen to learn how to bet on rugby league, try keeping up with some of the biggest tournaments in the sport. The Super League is the UK’s premier rugby league contest, while the NRL and NRL Women are the most popular leagues in Australia.
Types of rugby bet
There are more results to bet on than just the match outcome, so finding your ideal market is a crucial aspect. Here are a few of your options:
Match result: Think you know who’ll win an upcoming match? Betting on the winner of a particular fixture is the most common form of bet in rugby, but it can still yield a big return.
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Total points: This bet type sees bettors try to predict whether a certain number of points will be scored between both sides in a game.
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Winning margin: In this bet, the goal is to predict how large the winning side’s lead will be over their opponents.
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Try scorers: In rugby, a try earns your team more points than any other method of scoring. Bettors can try to predict which players in a game will score tries.
How does handicap betting work in rugby?
In handicap betting, one team is given a deficit in points which they must overcome in the final result. For example, if Team A is expected to beat Team B in a dominant fashion, a handicap bet could give them a 20-point deficit to beat.
This means that 20 points are subtracted from the final score when your bet is calculated, allowing you to predict which side would win if a certain number of points were removed from their score.
How to bet on rugby games
Betting on rugby games is easy with a Betway account. Simply log in or create an account and find your ideal betting market. Then, set your stake, and the betslip will show you your potential winnings. Once you’re happy, click ‘Place bet’, and wait for the result.
Where to bet on rugby
You can find the latest betting odds on all the biggest rugby union and rugby league fixtures at Betway using our handy sportsbook pages. Select the match you want to bet on, and you’ll be presented with all the available markets for your bet.
Alternatively, stay ahead of the game with the Betway Sports app! Download it now from the Play Store or the App Store to enjoy live rugby betting, real-time updates, and exclusive offers right at your fingertips.
Related to rugby betting
Now that you’ve digested our rugby league and rugby union betting advice, why not learn more about the sports? Our guide to the best rugby stadiums for fans has all you need to know about the sport’s biggest venues, while our guide covering the cost of attending a Premiership rugby match can help you budget for an away game.
