probably the best way to get introduced to the sport.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n 4. Championship\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n It may be a notch below the Super League \u2013 indeed, the prize for winning the Championship is to be brought into the Super League \u2013 but it is, in many people\u2019s opinion, often the most exciting<\/strong>. We think it\u2019s because of the wide variety of team styles and quality, not to mention the hunger to get to that coveted top tier. In any case, this is one tournament that\u2019s well worth paying attention to.<\/p>\n\n\n 5. The Anzac Test\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n Alright, this isn\u2019t technically a tournament, it is an annual game between New Zealand and Australia<\/strong>. However, it takes place every year, has a trophy and has just as much (if not greater) importance than many other League tournaments, so we\u2019re including it as part of this list. This is a wonderful way of getting to know two of the best teams in Rugby League, and also a really simple way of getting into betting on the sport.<\/p>\n\nRugby League Betting: Top Five Strategic Tips you Need to Know<\/h2>\n \n\n
\n Strategies between League and Union are often very similar, but we\u2019ve provided an additional section specifically for League here. This is because there are some things that are perhaps more worth considering for one variation compared to the other<\/strong>. With that in mind, here are five betting tips to help you on your Rugby League betting adventure.<\/p>\n\n\n 1. Don\u2019t assume because you know Union, you know League\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n As Rugby Union is so incredibly popular and there are many similarities between the different versions of rugby, people often assume that knowing one is as good as knowing the other. However, as discussed, there are significant differences. This doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t bet on Rugby League \u2013 far from it \u2013but you should respect it as its own discipline<\/strong> before you do.<\/p>\n\n\n 2. But if you\u2019re a beginner, it\u2019s the perfect place to start\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n That said, if you are new to rugby entirely, then an argument could be made that League is actually the best place to start<\/strong>, since as in many tournaments, there are fewer teams and the rules can be less convoluted.<\/strong> And we agree. We think that both are really interesting, but if you want one version to get you to understand the basics and provide a simpler way to start betting, this is it.<\/p>\n\n\n 3. Consider first half betting\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n With longer playing time, a more even distribution of possession to the pass rule, and more time with the ball in play<\/strong>, we\u2019d say that League is a great choice for betting on one half. Union often needs a full game to flesh out, whereas League games tend to be more immediate, making them more suitable for this market<\/strong>. This is a generalisation, of course, and Union games can also be great for first half betting.<\/p>\n\n\n 4. Keep on top of player news\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n Fewer players on the field means more pressure on each individual in terms of injury and specific performances<\/strong>. You should keep on top of player news not only for any version of rugby, but any sport. Having said that, there are few disciplines where this advice is quite so pressing.<\/p>\n\n\n 5. Pay close attention to the Super League\n <\/h3>\n \n\n
\n There are fewer teams in League than Union: that is just a fact. This means that there\u2019s even more importance on those few significant competitions, and there are none important than the Super League.<\/strong> On top of that, many games are not televised. All this means is there are fewer places to get your dose of sporting goodness. In other words, there\u2019s no better place to enjoy Rugby League and Rugby League betting than the Super League.<\/p>\n\nBite-Sized History: The League and Union Split<\/h2>\n \n\n
\n Those of you reading this may be wondering why there are two different versions of this sport<\/strong>. It\u2019s actually a really interesting story.<\/p>\n\n\n Originally, there was one sport known as ‘rugby football',<\/strong> and there were a whole host of different rules. In fact, as they were played at different schools, many would often have their own individual rules. This changed when the clubs met in 1871 to form the Rugby Football Union<\/strong>, and during this time, its popularity spread to Australia<\/strong> and New Zealand.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n Vitally, it was an amateur sport, meaning that nobody was paid to compete. However, in 1892<\/strong>, there was a controversy as Yorkshire clubs were compensating players for missing work<\/strong>. It was proposed that they be paid up to six shillings for whenever they missed work due to match commitments, but it was voted down. Pressure continued, however, with Lancashire clubs agreeing with compensation. This is how the first professional rugby organisation was formed, which was called the Northern Rugby Football Union<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n It is important to note that this is where the class divide<\/strong> came into play. You may view it as ironic that the teams being paid were the ones who are considered to represent the poorer parts of the country. However, that\u2019s because the teams that required compensation did so because they were generally from a less privileged position. In other words, the amateur players could afford to remain amateur.<\/p>\n\n\n That is where the split began between teams that chose to remain amateur and those who turned professional. For a long time, they were different in name and administration only. Over the years, however, gradual changes began to take place in the rules and today, the original sport has created two completely different forms of rugby<\/strong>. Now, the split is entirely rule based, as Rugby Union joined Rugby League as a professional sport in 1995 after a century of debate.<\/p>\n\nRugby Union Betting: Most Popular Tournaments<\/h2>\n \n\n
\n Partly down to its\u00a0greater international appeal<\/strong>, Rugby Union betting has more tournaments than its Rugby League betting siblings. Here, we have picked five of the most interesting and popular<\/strong>\u00a0to give you an idea of what\u2019s out there for you to check out, get invested with and bet on.<\/p>\n\n\n
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The Rugby World Cup<\/p>\n <\/div>\n