The National Rugby League attracts crowds of die-hard fans every year. And why wouldn’t it? It’s jam-packed with action and epic moments! From fans watching in awe as players tackle the opposition to admiring some nifty footwork, the NRL is really a spectator sport. But people don’t merely watch the NRL; they take part in the competition by betting. However, betting in the NRL can be risky, especially if you’re new to it.
In the article, we’ll give you tips on the NRL and how to choose the best bookmaker for your bets.
What is a bookmaker?
A bookmaker or “bookie” in the gambling world is a person or organisation that accepts and organises bets for sporting events. They’ll be responsible for receiving money from bettors, placing the bet, and paying out the winnings. Some prominent bookies in Australia are:
- Ladbrokes
- Bet365
- Neds
- Unibet
How to choose the right book master
Now, most of the bookmakers above are pretty reputable; you might have even used one or two of them before. But, there are bookmakers who aren’t as reputable, it would be safe to say that they’re actually a little dodge. So, knowing how to choose the right bookmaster could save you a lot of cash. Here’s how we’d suggest you choose a book master:
Consider what the sign-up process is like
Ideally, you’ll want to find a bookie that’ll allow you to sign up quickly without any hassles. When you have to jump through hoops at sign-up, it’s a sign that you might need to do the same with other issues. In our opinion, simple is always better. So, look for a bookie that has a quick sign-up but doesn’t sacrifice security.
Are they licenced?
Choosing a bookie that is licenced in Australia will allow you to bet with confidence. You don’t want to be party to illegal betting. So, before you sign up, check the “About” section of the bookies website to see if they’re licenced. All the bookmakers we listed above are licenced, so maybe give one of them a try.
Security is paramount
Imagine placing a large bet with a bookie and you win the bet but your winnings are nowhere to be found. This is happened in the past, but very rarely to reputable bookies that prioritise safety. So, if you’re trading online, check what safety measures your bookie offers before you add funds to your account.
Do they display transparent odds and pricing on their site?
Most bookmakers will display the odds on their sites to give you more information to maximise your punting. We’d suggest looking around to find the bookie that presents the odds and pricing on their site transparently so that you can use it to make informed bets.
What’s their reputation like?
Consider if the bookie you’re using can be trusted. Are you losing your bets every time under suspicious circumstances, or are their services on the website ambiguous or vague? This might be a sign that something dodgy is happening behind the scenes. So, look for a bookie that offers transparent features and has a good reputation.
Do they offer good customer service?
Websites crash, and payments fail. It happens. But when this occurs, you want the bookmaker you’re using to be prompt in dealing with it otherwise, you could potentially lose out on a promising bet. Check the reviews on bookie sites. This should give you an idea of how “happy” their customers are.
Main NRL Betting Markets
In addition to finding the right bookie, it’s also helpful to know the kind of bets you can make in the NRL. Here are the main betting markets for the NRL:
Margin Betting
Betting on the margin basically involves choosing the most favourable NRL odds that you think would work best if you wagered on them. There are a few ways you can make a margin bet. You can bet on the exact scoring margin of victory, or you can bet on a wider margin range.
Head-to-head betting
Using a head-to-head bet is your most basic form of betting on the NRL. Basically, you choose the team that you think has the best odds of winning and wager on them. If they win, so do you.
First Try Scorer
As the name suggests, the first-try scorer bet gets placed on who you think will score the first try. Say, for instance, the wing of your favourite team has the highest score ratio. You might want to place a bet on them, and if they happen to score first, then you win. You can also bet on head-to-head first-try scorer. This is when the bookie offers you odds for two players, and you get to wager on who the first player would be to score between them.
Line Betting
Line betting involves choosing a team that you think will win, but to win your bet, they have a certain margin to overcome. For example, if you have a match whose line is set at around -13.5, the team you’d bet on would need to win by at least 14 points. This also goes the other way, though. Say you bet on the opposing team, and the line is at +13.5. In this case, you’d win the bet if they won or lost by under 13 points.
Final Thoughts
Betting on the NRL can be extremely fun and engaging, not to mention rewarding. But there’s a degree to which you need to know what you’re doing when you bet with a bookie. Follow these tips on the NRL betting above, and we trust that they’ll help you find the best bookie for you!
