What are the Best NRL Betting Strategies?
New to betting on the NRL? At first, knowing how to place a solid bet can seem a bit confusing, but everyone’s gotta start somewhere. With the right approach, betting on the NRL can be relatively simple and fun, and even quite rewarding once you get the hang of it. The good news is, you don’t have to go it alone. This guide will help you understand the basics, from reading odds and arming yourself with the best strategies, so that you can place good value bets.
1. Always do your homework…always
When it comes to betting on rugby league, it is not just about picking your favourite team and hoping for the best. Smart punting is all about finding value. That means knowing when the odds on a team are higher than they should be based on how likely they are to win.
Start by considering a few key factors before placing your bet. Team form is a big one. A team on a winning streak usually has confidence and rhythm, but look deeper to see who they have beaten. Beating a bottom-ranked side is not the same as beating a top-four team. Next, take note of injuries and player suspensions. Losing a star playmaker or a reliable goal kicker can change the entire shape of a match.
Also, think about where the game is being played. Home teams often have the advantage, especially early in the season when they have not had to travel much. It also helps to think about the conditions. Some teams play best on dry, fast tracks, while others perform better when the rain starts to fall and the game slows down. And the most important thing of all is never bet with your heart.
Backing your team every week might feel loyal, but it can cloud your judgment. The best punters stay objective, study the stats, and look for genuine opportunities rather than emotional ones.
2. Get familiar with the different types of bets
Once you have a feel for the basics, it helps to understand the different types of bets you can make on NRL games. There are a few common ones that most punters stick with, and each offers something a little different:
Match bets
It doesn’t get much simpler than match bets. To place a match bet, you’re simply betting on the team that you think is going to win. You don’t have to get technical about points, margins, or anything like that, just who will come in as the winner.
Line betting
Line betting, also known as handicap betting, is where it gets a little bit different. In simple terms, the bookmaker gives one team a head start and the other team a handicap to make the match more balanced from a betting point of view. Think of it like this: if a strong team is playing a weaker one, everyone expects the stronger team to win. To make the betting more fair, the bookmaker adds a line, or a margin, that the stronger team has to overcome for your bet to win.
For example, imagine the Brisbane Broncos are playing the Wests Tigers. The Broncos are the heavy favourites, so the bookmaker sets the line at minus 8.5 for Brisbane and 8.5 for the Tigers.
Here is how it works:
- If you bet on the Broncos at minus 8.5, they need to win the game by at least 9 points for your bet to be successful
- If you bet on the Tigers at plus 8.5, your bet wins if the Tigers either win the match outright or lose by 8 points or fewer
Winning margins
Winning margin bets are placed based on the difference between the scores of the winning team and their opponents. Using the example of the West Tigers and the Broncos again, if the Broncos have a score of 12 while the Tigers have 5, you would win the bet if you said the margin was 7. However, the bookie would generally provide you with some figures to choose from, such as 5 or 12.
3. Understand live betting
Live-betting is an invaluable way of punting on the NRL! Live betting, sometimes called in-play betting, is when you place bets while the game is happening. The odds change quickly depending on what’s going on in the match. If a strong team starts slowly and falls behind early, its odds of winning will increase.
That can be a great time to place a bet if you think they will fight back and win. The key to live betting is timing. Watch the game closely and look for moments when the momentum shifts, such as when a team takes control of possession or a team loses a key player to injury. But be careful not to make rash decisions. It’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, so always stick to your plan and budget.
4. Find the odds
Whether you’re live-betting or you’re going with a strategy in mind, you need to keep your eye on the odds. If you need a place to find the latest NRL odds, TABS has got you covered. From match schedules, player statistics, and the odds, TABS has everything you need to make a wise bet on the NRL.
Final thoughts
Betting on the NRL can be a lot of fun when you approach it the right way. Start simple, learn how odds work, and focus on finding value rather than guessing. The more you learn about the game, how teams perform in different situations, how odds change, and when to bet, the more confident you’ll become. Always remember, betting should be enjoyable. Keep it fun, stick to your limits, and enjoy the thrill of watching the greatest game of all with a bit of extra excitement on the line.
