Rugby Betting

Published: 1st October 2019
Author: Joe Kizlauskas
Last Updated: 29th March 2021
Rugby

How to Bet on Rugby 2024

If you’re a fan of rugby you are spoiled for choice with the modern schedule – and all top betting sites offer it now. The fixture list across Europe is fit to burst, with games of note taking place most days from the world of Rugby League and Rugby Union. What’s more, there are always plenty of the best free bets and promotions available to get you started.

Rugby Union enthusiasts can catch up on the likes of Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, Rugby Championships, Premier League, Heineken Cup, European Challenge Cup and the Guinness Pro 40. You can also cast your net further afield and pick out the best from France, New Zealand and South Africa. Stick to your favourite or float between the big events of the week.

If Rugby League is more your thing, or perhaps you can see the benefits of both disciplines, there’s plenty more designed to catch your eye. Follow NRL, Challenge Cup, Super League, Championship and State of Origin. Regardless of your preference, you’ll be delighted to learn many of the biggest and best games from Rugby Union and Rugby League can be watched live.

Where to Bet on Rugby

The likes of Sky Sports, BT Sport and BT offer coverage of the matches that matter or there’s an increasing number of bookmakers covering the sports through a live stream. This can be viewed on your desktop or mobile app and it’s a faultless, HD quality service with crystal clear sound, no buffering or loading times. A reliable source and one that continues to grow in popularity.

The extended coverage is great news for armchair fans and has led to an increase in popularity. More people are watching rugby than ever before. This started with the big international events that always had a steady following. Take the Six Nations for example. Casual fans would flock to support their favourite teams at the end of winter, watching coverage, going to the stadium, buying rugby tops and attempting to hold a conversation about the sport with those more loyal to the cause.

More rugby on TV made it easier for them to stick around and, having been introduced to the sport through the Six Nations, they’d then follow the likes of the Premier League or Heineken Cup. It was great for the sport’s reputation and resulted in bigger crowds at matches and an increased TV audience for the big games on weekends.

Getting the Best Deal

One group that is never slow in latching on to the fuss is bookmakers and they figured, if more people are watching Rugby League and Rugby Union, then surely more people would want to place bets on the outcome of the games. They were right too. Traders set out an increased number of markets on the biggest games, both pre-match and in-play, and that resulted in more bets being placed, higher stakes and repeat business.

Watching live rugby is exciting but not nearly as enjoyable as landing a nice price pay-out on the action. Make a shrewd bet and you could boost your bank balance while enjoying the live TV coverage.

Flick through the schedule and take your pick from the markets available. These include match-winner, handicaps, half time/full time, draw no bet, winning margin, highest scoring half, race to 10 points, team to score first, team to score last, total points odd/even, total team points, first try scorer and first try converted yes or no. Back a single or get your cash down on a few different bets to give yourself more of an interest in the match.

In Play Betting

Many of the more popular bets are kept live throughout the course of play thanks to in-play betting, with the prices and handicap lines moved to keep pace with the play. This means a bet is always possible and is as exciting in the final few minutes as it was before kick-off.

In-play Rugby League betting and Rugby Union betting works well with live on TV games. It allows you to keep your powder dry until you get a good look at how both teams are lining up, the part the weather will play in the match and which players seem determined to make an impression. It also works well if your initial bet is settled as a loser early. Perhaps you’ve backed first try scorer and got it wrong. In the past, you’d be forced to watch the remainder of play without an interest. With in-play betting you can get back involved at any point, all at the click of a button. If you see a pattern emerging you should act quickly and if you get in before the trader, you’ll nail down a nice price about your prediction.

Top Rugby Markets

Punters are spoiled for choice when it comes to markets available to get their cash on, both pre-match and in-play. Bet with a reputable firm, such as bet365  or Ladbrokes and you’ll also benefit from competitive Rugby League betting odds, meaning you’ll get more for your stake money. A number of firms even offer promotions on the biggest matches. These are updated regularly to keep them fresh, eye-catching, in-line with the schedule and appealing to customers, but we can get an idea of what to expect by looking back at some of the more popular promotions offered in the past.

Online bookmakers have served up enhanced odds on the most popular selections from rugby Six Nations betting and beyond. There’s extra places each-way on outright markets and even money back on losing first try scorer bets. Bet antepost on the World Cup, for example, and you could see your stake refunded if the favourite goes on to lift the trophy. That promo makes taking an outsider at a big price easier to do. Check the promotions page of your favourite bookmaker to see what Rugby Union and Rugby League offers are being made.

Spread your interest out across a day or weekend by playing one of the most popular multiple bets. Add any market from a few different games to your bet slip and you can back as an accumulator, in a Lucky 15, Yankee, Heinz or the multiple that suits you. An acca, for example, is a real value for money bet as it gives you an interest across a few different games all for a minimal stake.

Backing the Winner

So, we know the coverage is there, with all major competitions and tournaments shown a few times a week on live TV. We also know there’s no lack of options when it comes to betting on the outcome of your favourite matches, both pre-match and in-play. We also understand there’s a flood of exciting specials and promotions available. But how do you use them? Which is the best method to backing a winner?

You can do your own research, searching through form, figures, injury news, head-to-head and even gossip columns, or you can follow the advice of a reputable tipster. Our team of Rugby Union and Rugby League tipster provide fully researched previews before offering their thoughts on which markets are the best to risk your stake money on. You’ll even find handicap betting rugby tips and accumulators.

Once armed with that information it’s really easy to place a rugby bet online with a major bookmaker. Simply visit the desktop or mobile app of your chosen firm, click the rugby section and find the match that catches your eye. From there you need to click the price of the selection you want to back and that will add it to your bet slip. DecideOO on your stake, review the potential winnings and if you are happy with what you see, click confirm bet and you’re on. Cash out means you can get out of the bet at any stage. The better your punt is performing the higher the value of your cash out.

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About Joe Kizlauskas

Joe is a seasoned iGaming copywriter and speaker who has been in the business since 2015. He's written more words on all elements of iGaming than he likes to remember, and he's contributed material to a number of well-known brands. Joe may be seen playing 5 a side, at the gym or playing games on his Playstation when he is not writing.