What Does “Race to 35 Points” Mean?
In rugby sports betting, the “Race to 35 Points”market refers to betting on which team will be the first to reach 35 points in a match.
- You’re not betting on who wins the gameoverall.
- You’re betting on which team scores 35 points first, regardless of the final score or match result.
- If neither team reaches 35 points by the end of the match, the bet is void or settled as “No Team”, depending on your sportsbook.
How It Works (Step-by-Step)
- The sportsbook lists both teams and sometimes a “No Team to Reach 35 Points” option.
- You pick the team you think will be the first to score 35 points.
- The bet is settled as soon as one team reaches 35 points.
Example:
Let’s use a real-world style example:
Match:
New Zealand All Blacks vs. South Africa Springboks
Market: “Race to 35 Points”
- All Blacks — 1.90
- Springboks — 2.60
- No Team to Reach 35 Points — 3.50
Scenario 1:
Final score: New Zealand 38 – 22 South Africa
The All Blacks reach 35 points first (when the score hits 35–22).
Your bet on All Blacks Race to 35 Points wins.
Scenario 2:
Final score: South Africa 34 – 28 New Zealand
No team reached 35 points.
If you bet on either team, you lose.
If you bet on “No Team to Reach 35 Points”, you win.
Key Points to Remember
- It’s all about who reaches the 35-point mark first, not who wins overall.
- The bet ends as soon as one team hits 35 points — the rest of the match doesn’t matter.
- In low-scoring or defensive matches, no team may reach 35 points.
Betting Tips for “Race to 35 Points”
- Analyze Team Scoring Trends
- Teams like New Zealand, Ireland, or Franceoften hit high scores against weaker opposition.
- If a team regularly scores 30+ points per match, they’re strong Race to 35 candidates.
- Consider the Opponent’s Defense
- Betting on a strong attacking side against a weak defensive team increases the chance they’ll reach 35 first.
- Example: All Blacks vs. Italy — All Blacks likely to hit 35 first.
- Weather and Conditions Matter
- Rainy or muddy conditions usually reduce scoring.
- Avoid Race to 35 bets in bad weathermatches; totals might stay below 30.
- Match Type
- International Tests between top-tier nations often stay low-scoring.
- Club or Super Rugby matches usually have higher scores — better for Race to 35 bets.
- Live Betting Advantage
- Watch the opening 10–15 minutes.
- If one team dominates possession and territory early, backing them live to “Race to 35 Points” can give better odds.
Example Tip Strategy
Match: England vs. Fiji
- England often start fast at home and average 32+ points per home Test.
- Fiji struggle defensively against top-tier teams.
Smart Bet:
England – Race to 35 Points @ 2.10 odds
Reasoning: England’s home advantage, strong offense, and Fiji’s leaky defense make it likely England will hit 35 before Fiji (if at all).
Summary Table
| Scenario | Description | Result |
|---|---|---|
| One team reaches 35 first | That team’s bet wins | Win |
| Both teams score < 35 points | “No Team” wins | Win (if chosen) |
| Team reaches 35 but loses match later | Your bet still wins | Win |
| Match abandoned before 35 reached | Bet void | Void |