AFL and NRL season is the highlight of the Australian sports betting calendar. From Round 1 right through to finals, it’s the period where bookmakers pull out all stops to attract new customers and keep existing ones engaged.
For punters, this means more promos, more bonus bets, and more value opportunities than at any other time of the year. Bookies often tighten things up during quieter periods, but once AFL and NRL kick off, marketing budgets open up in a big way. If you’re matched betting or value betting, this is the season where the sheer volume of offers can make a serious difference to your bottom line. Here is what you can do to get ready.
How to Get Ready for AFL and NRL Season
The key to maximising AFL and NRL season is preparation. Promos will come thick and fast, especially in the begining, (bookies want you to spend the season betting with just them!) and you don’t want to be scrambling at the last minute. Here are the main steps to get yourself set.
- Open and Prepare Your Bookie Accounts
One of the most important decisions new members face is when to open bookie accounts. There are pros and cons to doing it all at once.
Open early and you can get verification out of the way, age your accounts, and start priming them before the big weekly promos arrive.
Stagger openings and you’ll avoid being overwhelmed, while also timing deposit matches and sign up offers to suit your bankroll.
A mixed approach works best. Decide which bookies will be your main focus for AFL and NRL, which you’ll prime quietly in the background, and which are on standby until you need them.
- Priming for Long Term Value
The first few weeks of a new account are the most important. Bookmakers are watching closely to decide what type of customer you are. If you smash every promo immediately, you’ll look like a sharp bettor at best, or a value taking matched bettor at worst. If you mix in plenty of mug bets early on, you’ll build a profile that may keep you in the good books longer.
With big corporates like Sportsbet, TAB, and PointsBet, consider investing 2 to 4 weeks in priming during regular AFL and NRL rounds. For smaller bookies, priming often isn’t worth the effort and a smash and grab approach can be considered. There is no one size fits all approach, so choose the method that suits your situation best.
- Bankroll Management and Tactical Withdrawals
Have your bankroll ready before the season heats up. Think about tactical withdrawals, not too early which looks like you’re only chasing bonuses, and not too exact which screams sharp. Depositing a little more than the bonus requirement can make you look like a casual punter planning to have a few bets across the round, and withdrawing after a couple of mug bets adds an extra layer of camouflage.
- Withdrawals Strategy
Your first withdrawal is always checked closely. Aim to make a small one early while your account still shows plenty of casual betting activity. This reduces scrutiny later and can even trigger a re deposit offer.
- Organise Your Workflow
With AFL and NRL running weekly, plus other sports overlapping, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Create a simple system for tracking.
- Which bookies you’ve opened
- Which ones are in priming stage
- Which promos you’re targeting each round
Preparation now saves stress when offers start landing every week.
How Bonusbank Can Help
AFL and NRL season is where many Bonusbank members extract the most consistent value from sports promos. Our tools are built to cut through the noise and make sure you never miss an opportunity.
ATM Odds Matcher: Quickly find the best back and lay odds for sports promotions.
Dutching Software and Middles Software: Ideal for maximising refund and second chance offers across AFL and NRL markets.
Value Betting Tool and Odds Comparison Tool: Identifies underpriced odds so you can bet smarter rather than harder.
Community Support: Learn from other members in real time, sharing strategies and promo alerts throughout the busiest rounds of the season.
AFL and NRL season is when bookmakers are most aggressive in chasing customers. With the right preparation, it can be your most profitable period of the year too.
Want to learn more about efficient no lay strategies and bankroll management? Bonusbank members get access to detailed strategies, tools, and support to help you maximise your returns. Join us today!
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