Rugby is by far one of the fastest rising sports in the US, as people are (finally) starting to pay more attention to the sport. Since rugby is becoming even more popular in the US, so is online rugby betting. Rugby is of course already very popular in other regions of the world, including New Zealand and Australia, South Africa, Italy, the UK, Russia, and Japan.
Before embarking on your online rugby betting journey, it is important to take note of a few things. There are two types of rugby that one can bet on: rugby union and rugby league. Rugby league is played 13 aside and rugby union 15, and the games have several other important differences.
For both rugby league and union, bets can vary from straightforward to more exotic and interesting. This is entirely dependent on the type of match.
Best Rugby Betting Sites in the US
- Bovada
Bovada is one of the most well-known sites in the US. This sportsbook has been around for quite some time and it is one of the most reliable betting sites. One of things that makes the site outstanding is the fact that it offers a huge list of betting odds for almost every sport out there.
Bovada offers a great list of rugby betting odds and as if that was not impressive enough, the site also allows its members to place their wages on the European Rugby Challenge Cup and the Rugby League season winners. New members can claim a 50% welcome bonus up to $250, so you might want to kickstart your rugby betting campaign with this bonus on Bovada.
- BetOnline
BetOnline is also another very popular site when it comes to rugby betting in the USA. The site offers a wide variety of options when it comes to wagering. They have some great rugby prop betting options such as spreads, total points and money lines. A lot of people refer to this site as the ‘all in one’ site as it also offers also bettors great casino and poker gambling options.
Punters will get better priced odds for higher potential profits on the site, making it easy to line shop. BetOnline also gives bettors an opportunity to take part in live rugby betting, meaning that punters can place their bets as the rugby games happen. New members that signs up can claim a 50% up to $1,000 bonus. You simply must make a deposit as low as $55 to be eligible for the bonus.
Rugby Betting Tips and Strategies
Like any other sport, it is very important to first ensure that you fully comprehend the rules of the game and how the game is played. Rugby can be very unpredictable at times, hence you should try and avoid making futures too early in the season.
Prior to betting, you should first understand the style and tactics of the respective teams. For instance, if you decide to bet on a team that is known to be quite defensive, then you may want to avoid betting on the first try. Once you understand the strategy of each of the teams, you will then be in a better position to select the best teams and markets and find good value bets.
You might also want to check historical encounters between the two teams as well as their respective performance in their last 10 games. There are instances when bookmakers may overlook certain areas of a player’s performance or team performance. Finally, when betting on rugby always try and follow your head and not your heart. You should avoid getting swayed by your favorite teams especially, when the likelihood of the team winning is small or not worth their odds.
Like any other sport, homefield advantage can greatly influence the outcome of any rugby game. While it is not one of the biggest factors, it is definitely something that you might want to consider to get an edge. Many rugby teams are very comfortable playing on their home turf, and when you factor in potential jet lag, fatigue, and potential referee bias, all these factors could mean serious struggle for the visitors.