Well most of the firms have issued their handicaps for this week's Super League fixtures and as always the first thing I do is compare them with my own tissue and if there are any discrepancies I will consider a wager. Sometimes I might decide that on reflection it is my own tissue that is incorrect and no wager is placed and other times I'm ready to strike a bet.
This week, however, I find myself in almost total agreement with the compilers. I might be a couple away in some cases but I don't feel there's a strong enough case for a wager.
This is, perhaps for some, a dangerous week. This is the week that you hear about all over different forums. "I was doing so well building my bank up nicely but then I lost my discipline". There's four live games for a start on Thursday and Friday and the adrenalin junkies just won't be able to resist, especially if, like me, they haven't had a losing week this season.
But there is an alternative.
I accept that it's very difficult to say no wager and that's where the exchanges can satisfy the junkies thirst for action and still be doing the right things. Just because you are in agreement with the handicaps doesn't necessarily mean no wager. The great thing about the exchanges is that you can set your own odds.
So you now have the option of playing bookmaker by laying at poor prices or alternatively backing at inflated prices. If you think that for example an 8.5 handicap is about right for the Leeds v Bradford fixture then it would be no bet backing at 1.91. But what price would you bet at? Well, if you are an excellent handicapper then anything above evens (2 after commission) would ensure that you were a long term winner. However, everyone makes mistakes and I'd want some error margin and of course some profit margin in my prices.
For me I'd be looking at backing in the 2.16 to 2.3 range. I'd be putting back prices in for both teams. It doesn't matter which is taken because you have what you perceive as a value wager.
If you placed these types of wager when you agreed with the handicap and get a 100 bets taken over the course of the season then you would expect 50 of them to win.

50 losing bets x 1pt = -50pts
50 winning bets say @2.2net = 50 x 1.2 = 60pts

so 10pts profit.

So the dangerous week has now had it's risk removed by placing value wagers. There's no reason not to profit week after week even when you and the compilers agree. And as the form builds up week by week you should find your tissue agreeing more and more.

Alternatively you could lay both teams. Personally I'm usually around the 1.86 mark as a layer but only pay 2% commission.

Obviously there's a danger for the junkie that the match is on TV and their bet isn't taken because the market doesn't move enough. I guess that's where discipline really needs to kick in.
Personally, I derive, from my handicap figures, odds that I would be willing to lay for both match odds and the Half Time/Full Time markets and more often than not I have some interest in every game.

Hope this article has helped with your Rugby League wagering. There's always more than one way to skin a cat.

And hopefully when I see some more National League prices I might be back with a wager.