How Does Handicap Betting Operate in Rugby?
Table of contents
In its simplest form, handicap betting in rugby works by applying a positive or negative points ‘handicap’ on the team you back.
For example, if you place a handicap bet on a team to win the Rugby match, they will have a handicap applied to them at the stated odds. You must then apply this handicap to the backed teams final points total in the game, before you can determine the final result.
So, if you backed Saracens to beat Wasps with a -5.5 handicap, that would mean Saracens would need to win by at least six points, in order for a bet on that handicap market to be a winner.
Let’s begin to explore this popular form of betting by analysing the key features of handicap wagers in Rugby in more detail.
N.B. In this article, we are using the more general term Rugby, rather than specifying Rugby Union or Rugby League, as handicapping works the same way when betting on either code of the game.
What is a Handicap Bet in Rugby?
A handicap bet in rugby is a bet where each team in the match will have a positive or minus points handicap applied to their score, once the final result of the game is known.
For betting purposes, a handicap bet works off the final score with the handicap for the team you chose to back applied to their score.
You do not apply the handicap for the team you did not back to the final score to work out the bet.
In Rugby Union and Rugby League, teams score points by means of tries, conversions and penalties. As such, any handicap applied to a team comes in the form of a positive or negative point score.
A positive handicap is applied to the team viewed as the weaker of the two teams. The higher the positive handicap a team is given, the weaker the team is viewed to be by the bookmaker compared to their opponent.
A negative handicap is applied to the team viewed as the stronger of the two teams. The greater the negative handicap applied, the stronger this team is viewed to be compared to their opposition by the bookie. If you'd like to enhance your knowledge about handicap betting don't hesitate to visit our page "What is handicap betting" !
An Example: Wigan v Warrington
Game Betting 2-Way market - Wigan Warriors (+5.5) 1.90 v Warrington Wolves (-5.5) 1.90
So for example, if one Rugby Game had Wigan Warriors as a +5.5 handicap and Warrington Wolves as a -5.5 handicap, then the bookmakers feel that Warrington Wolves are the stronger team (hence they have a minus points handicap).
Wigan are viewed as the weaker team (and have a positive points handicap as a result).
The aim of a handicap is usually to try and give punters two near-even money selections to pick from in a rugby match that otherwise favours one team over the other.
In the example above, you can see with the handicaps applied to either team, the betting odds for either selection are 1.90, which is close to even money.
While the above type of handicap bet is a popular one in Rugby betting, it is not the only choice of handicap bet that tends to be available. There are other options to consider which we have explored below.
What Handicap Options Are Popular Rugby Bets?
There are a number of popular Rugby Bets that have handicap options. They include:
- Game Betting 2-way (a bet on either of the two teams winning with no draw possible)
- Game Betting 3-way (a bet on either of the two teams winning, or a draw)
- 1st Half Betting 2-way (same as the Game Betting 2-way but for the 1st half only)
- 1st Half Betting 3-way (same as the Game Betting 3-way but for the 1st half only)
- Alternative Handicap - 2 way (A bet where you can choose the handicap for your chosen team, with the odds stated based on the size of handicap selected)
- Alternative Handicap - 3 way (As above, but with the tie an option)
How Do You Correctly Apply A Handicap To The Result of a Rugby Match?
Let’s go back to the example above of the Wigan Warriors (+5.5) v Warrington Wolves (-5.5) 2-way handicap betting market.
Let’s say we place a £10 bet on Wigan Warriors to win with a handicap of +5.5.
The possible outcomes from this bet would be as follows.
- If Wigan win the game by any score - Your bet is a winner.
- If the game is drawn - Your bet is a winner.
- If Warrington win the game by five points or fewer - Your bet is a winner.
- If Warrington win the game by six points or more - Your bet loses.
However, if we placed a £10 bet on Warrington Wolves instead, then the reverse outcomes would be applied:
- If Wigan win the game by any score - Your bet is a loser.
- If the game is drawn - Your bet is a loser.
- If Warrington win the game by five points or fewer - Your bet is a loser.
- If Warrington win the game by six points or more - Your bet is a winner!
3-Way Handicap - Betting on the Draw
The only change to the application of handicaps as shown above is when there is a 3-way handicap bet made on the draw.
Let’s say we want to bet on the Handicap Tie in an Ireland v New Zealand clash. Ireland have a -6 handicap (2.00), New Zealand a +6 (1.90), and the draw +6. (17.00)
When backing the draw, the handicap applied for this bet is the +6 bet for New Zealand (the underdog team). As such, for this bet to win, Ireland must beat New Zealand by six points exactly for the tie handicap bet to be a winner.
Of course, this is a very precise bet, which is why this bet is generally much longer odds.
In a sport like Rugby where many points can be scored, handicap betting offers a good way to get better value odds, especially in games where one team is considerably stronger than their opponent.
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