How To Bet On The Rugby World Cup

Below we’ll go through the complete range of betting options for those looking to place wagers on the Rugby World Cup.

Match Odds

The most basic rugby bet is predicting the outcome of a match. You can bet on the home team to win, the away team to win, or the match to be drawn. This type of betting market is also used in soccer betting odds and is similar to the rugby game.

Draw No Bet

The match odds market has a variation called “draw no bet.” If the match ends in a draw, your bet will be refunded. This option is popular for bettors who are unsure of the match outcome but believe it won’t be a draw.

Double Chance

In this market, you can bet on two of the three possible outcomes of a match. You have the option to bet on either the home team to win or draw, or the away team to win or draw. This type of wager acts as insurance for a bettor who may have reservations or lack confidence in one of the teams.

Correct Score

This market is challenging but has better chances of winning a massive payout. To win your bet, you must accurately predict the match’s exact score. Although it’s not a simple task, the payouts are substantial.

Over/Under

This market is about the total points scored in a match. You can bet on whether the points will be over or under a specific number. In American based sports, the Over/Under market is also known as Totals.

Handicap

In this betting market, one team is given an advantage or handicap in terms of points before the match begins. The purpose of this is to make the odds more evenly matched. This concept is similar to the point-spread used in NFL and NCAAF betting markets.

To Progress

The market is used in tournaments for betting purposes. It involves predicting which teams will advance to the next stage or win the entire tournament.

 

Rugby World Cup Format

The Rugby World Cup brings together the world’s top national teams, beginning with a pool stage where each team plays the others in its group. The highest-performing teams then advance to the knockout rounds, which progress through quarterfinals and semifinals before culminating in a final that crowns the champion. The format ensures a mix of strategy, skill, and high-stakes drama from start to finish.

 

Teams Qualified

Rugby World Cup pools are typically determined well in advance of the tournament, often through a formal draw process that takes place several years before the event begins. Teams are seeded based on their international rankings at the time of the draw, ensuring a balanced distribution of strong and developing sides across each pool. While the exact format can vary, most World Cups feature a handful of pools with an equal number of teams in each, providing a fair and competitive group stage before the knockout rounds.

 

Previous Winners

The first Rugby World Cup final was won by New Zealand, who defeated France 29-9 to claim the inaugural title. Since then, several other nations have lifted the trophy, including South Africa, Australia, and England, each showcasing their dominance on the sport’s biggest stage at different points in history. These victories have helped cement their reputations as some of the most successful rugby nations in the world.

 

Rugby World Cup Betting Tips

Bettors and bookmakers both aim to make money, creating a zero-sum game where someone has to lose. However, with rugby World Cup betting tips, you can make plans to outsmart the bookies.

Having a betting system is better than picking bets at random. These tips aren’t guaranteed to work, but they can improve your chances. Most casual bettors have no system in place. Don’t underestimate bookies; they’re not easily outsmarted. Here is our betting advice for you.

Do Your Homework On The Top Nations

The men’s World Cup has been held various times since the first edition in 1987. Generally speaking, international ‘heavyweights’ with Rugby World Cup legacy tend to have shorter odds on lifting the trophy.

While we can’t predict the future based on past performance, it would be unwise to underestimate countries with a history of winning this prize.

Bet Smart

Regular sports evoke strong emotions, especially when national pride is involved. This is evident in events like the Olympics, FIFA World Cup, and rugby competitions. However, betting based on country pride can be risky. Patriotism often leads to bias, making it difficult to consider research and data that are crucial for successful betting.

It’s important to prioritize research and data over personal feelings towards a specific country. It is challenging, if not impossible, to view your favorite nation in a neutral way. Therefore, we advise avoiding betting on your favorite country altogether. Fortunately, there are plenty of other World Cup games available where you can maintain an objective perspective.

The Home Advantage

Home advantage can play a significant role in Rugby World Cup outcomes, and it’s an important factor for bettors to consider. Playing in familiar conditions often means teams are more comfortable with the climate, altitude, and pitch conditions, while also benefiting from strong local fan support that can boost morale and energy levels. Travel demands are also reduced for the host nation, allowing for better preparation and recovery between matches, which can translate into improved performance on the field.

Learn The Sport

Rugby is played in two main formats: union and league. The Rugby World Cup uses the union format, which features more players on the field, fewer substitutions, and higher point values for tries and drop goals. One of the key differences lies in tackling—after a tackle in union, the ball must be released, allowing any on-side, standing player to contest possession. Understanding the rules and nuances of union rugby is essential before placing World Cup bets. The more familiar you are with the flow of the game, the better positioned you’ll be to make informed, strategic wagers.

Rugby World Cup Betting FAQs

Find answers to common questions bettors like you have when researching which sportsbook to join.

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