Best Rugby Union Odds today - betting lines & Rugby Union spreads explained

Understanding Rugby Union odds and bets

Rugby union, not to be confused with rugby league, is highly fast-paced and technical. So, it provides exciting betting chances for bettors of different skills. There are Rugby Football Union local, regional, and international events every year. Sportsbooks in the US cover a wide range of these markets, offering competitive match odds. With Oddspedia, you can compare rugby union betting odds to find the best prices and suitable sportsbooks for you.

What to know about betting on Rugby Union in the United States

A 1992 gambling law prohibited sports betting in every state except Nevada. When it was struck down in 2018, it allowed individual states to set up their own gambling legislation. Presently, bettors can stake money on various sports legally in 30 states. Online sports betting is legal in 34 states, as long as you use regulated operators. Therefore, US bettors can bet on Rugby Union games. 

Rugby is one of the top offerings at offshore sportsbooks since the sport is widely popular outside the United States. It's only in the last few years the game gained prominence in the country. Betting websites operating in the US cater to diverse rugby union betting needs, covering events like the Investec Champions Cup, still known among rugby fans as ‘the Heineken Cup’.

Which types of bets are offered?

Once you get familiar with rugby union odds, you have to know the best stakes to make on your preferred selections. US sportsbooks have pre-match and in-play betting, with varying markets, ranging from popular offerings, like match winner, to exotic and prop bets. Below are the most common betting alternatives.

Moneyline

A moneyline bet in rugby union is one of the simplest forms of betting on the sport, focusing purely on the outcome of a match without considering point spreads or other conditions. When you place a moneyline bet, you are essentially wagering on which team will win the game outright.

For example, consider a rugby union match between Bristol Bears and Harlequins in the UK Premiership. The sportsbook might list Bristol Bears at +200 and Harlequins at -150. These numbers indicate the odds attached to each team. A +200 for Bristol Bears means that if you bet $100 on Bristol Bears and they win, you would receive a profit of $200. Conversely, a -150 for Harlequins means you would need to bet $150 to win $100 if Harlequins emerges victorious.

Moneyline odds can also help bettors gauge the perceived strength of teams. A positive number indicates the underdog, while a negative number denotes the favorite. The larger the absolute value of the number, the more significant the perceived difference in team strengths. This straightforward form of betting is popular among both novice and experienced bettors, as it requires only the prediction of a game's outright winner.

Spread

A spread bet in rugby union is a type of wager that goes beyond the traditional win-lose outcome, focusing instead on the margin of victory or defeat. Sportsbooks will set a 'spread', which is essentially a prediction of the difference in scores between two teams. For instance, if Lyon is playing against Montpelier in the French Top 14, the sportsbook might set the spread at 5 points in favor of Lyon.

When placing a spread bet, a bettor is predicting whether the actual difference in scores will be above or below this spread. If you believe Lyon will win by more than 5 points, you would bet on them to 'beat the spread'. Conversely, if you think they'll win by less than 5 points or lose the game, you'd bet on Montpelier to 'cover the spread'.

The appeal of spread betting lies in its ability to level the playing field. Even if a stronger team wins the match, it doesn't necessarily mean they'll surpass the spread. As a result, spread betting can offer more excitement and strategy compared to traditional outright bets.

Totals

A totals bet in rugby union, commonly referred to as an "over/under" bet, is a form of wagering that doesn't concern itself with which team will win or lose the game. Instead, it focuses on the combined total score of both teams in a match.

Sportsbooks will set a predicted total number of points for a specific rugby match. Bettors then place wagers on whether the actual combined score of the two teams will be over or under that predicted total. For instance, if a sportsbook sets the total for a game at 45.5 points, and the final combined score is 48 points, those who bet "over" would win their bets. Conversely, if the total score was 43 points, the "under" bets would be the winning ones.

This type of betting introduces a different strategy for bettors, as they need to consider both teams' offensive and defensive capabilities, weather conditions, injuries, and other factors that might influence the total score of the game.

Why compare Rugby Union odds on Oddspedia?

Odds comparison is crucial, especially when following events like the Rugby World Cup. It ensures you consider offerings from different sportsbooks and find the best Rugby World Cup scores and odds that work for you. However, manually checking rugby union odds, especially Rugby World Cup scores, from multiple sites can be tiresome. Oddspedia eases this burden by compiling odds from more than 30 US betting websites.

Rugby Union Odds comparison helps you win more

If you are to get the maximum value from your rugby union bets, then you need the best prices. Comparing odds for various rugby union markets ensures you take full advantage of the prices available. By finding the best odds, you can increase your profit by up to 15%.

Find the best Rugby Union betting odds for today

Oddspedia should be your first pick when searching for the latest match odds because the site updates the data in real-time. Therefore, you are certain the odds presented match what's on the featured sportsbooks. Oddspedia ensures you don't miss out on great deals.

Track line movement

Another reason to use Oddspedia is that it makes monitoring the Rugby World Cup odds and the movement of betting lines a breeze. Line movement occurs when the match odds or point spreads shift as the game approaches. Tracking these changes in the Rugby World Cup odds enables you to adjust your bets accordingly.

Find the best Rugby Union sportsbooks

As much time and effort that odds comparison takes, it is worth it in the end because you get a lot more. The primary objective is to find the highest rugby union odds and betting lines, but you can also choose suitable operators. 

Oddspedia puts together odds from the best US sportsbooks. These sites are not only licensed but well-rated, as well. The website also highlights the sportsbook promos available on the different platforms. So, you can be confident about picking a reliable and legitimate sports betting site. Besides local sportsbooks, a good number of offshore operators are available in the US, giving you diverse alternatives. BetMGM, Fanduel, and Betway are examples.

Rugby Union sports betting FAQs

Can you legally bet on Rugby Union?

Yes, sports betting, including rugby union betting, is legal across many states in the US. Check local state laws to see if you can use online sportsbooks legally in your region. Some states only permit brick-and-mortar operators.

Does the Rugby World Cup have the best markets?

With twenty of the best teams from all over the world participating, the Rugby World Cup has interesting markets. The competition guarantees stiff competition at the highest level. Sportsbooks have in-play and pre-match betting for the various markets. However, since the tournament occurs every four years, you can wager on other rugby union competitions, including:

• Gallagher Premiership
• Rugby Championship (Tri Nations)
• European Rugby Challenge Cup

What is a popular bet in Rugby Union?

Outright winner is a big offering on rugby union betting. Not many bettors are familiar with rugby union rules, while others confuse it with rugby league. Hence, a majority tends to stick with uncomplicated bets, like an outright winner, match winner, and totals.

Is spread betting popular for Rugby Union matches?

Sports like football and basketball made spread betting one of the most common wagers in the US. As bettors embrace rugby union betting, handicap betting is becoming just as popular for the sport as in other markets. It's the go-to bet when a match includes a heavy favorite.

What does a +200 line mean in Rugby Union betting?

A moneyline bet requires you to pick the clear winner in a match. In American odds, moneyline bets are presented with + or - signs. A +200 bet means you are putting money on the underdog. If you bet $100, you win $200.

How does a +6 spread work?

In a point spread, you are betting on the winning margin the oddsmaker set. In this case, a +6 spread handicaps the favorite by giving the underdog a 6-point advantage. It means the underdog has to win by less than 6 points or beat the opponent outright for this bet to cash in. If the other team wins by 7 or more points, then the bet loses.