The student of the form, the hard headed realist, the romantic, the impetuous - all are catered for in the betting market ahead of Saturday's opening round of the Six Nations Championship. The bookmakers have reported a lively interest, ranging from wagers on Grand Slam, Triple Crown and Six Nations outright to the leading try and points scorers.
The novelty markets are also popular, while the Irish-owned Sports Spread, the only spreadbetting company in Ireland, offer a huge variety of bets for those with a strong constitution.
So where is the value this weekend? With due respect to Ireland, the Grand Slam is not the place to start.
Warren Gatland's men are available at 33 to 1 (Paddy Powers, Boyles), but not even the Irish coach would be tempted to invest in his charges winning all five matches. England, by virtue of their victories over South Africa and Australia in the autumn, enjoy a favourable fixture list with just two away matches, including Dublin on March 24th.
Importantly, their clash with France is at Twickenham. They are placed at 5 to 4 (Chronicle, Cashmans) to win the Grand Slam, but as they have proved in recent seasons they are fallible when least expected, twice denied in as many years by Wales and Scotland.
Given that Ireland, Wales, Scotland and Italy are highly unlikely to achieve the Slam, that the French are inconsistent and that England over-confidence has been a problem, Ladbrokes 13 to 8 on no winner of the Grand Slam seems reasonable. The Triple Crown supports the bookmakers expectation that England are nearly unbeatable: the best price for Clive Woodward's team is 1 to 2.
Ireland are available at 10 to 1, which may tempt a few punters, given England must visit Dublin and Ireland boast a great record in Cardiff. But there hasn't been as Irish victory at Murrayfield since the 1980s.
The overall Six Nations Championship odds see England best listing at 4 to 6 with Chronicle, the best value on the French (3 to 1) is at Paddy Powers, while Ladbrokes offer a tempting 12 to 1 on Ireland.
For those who prefer the individual match betting, Gatland's men are available in a handicap bet at 10 to 11 to beat Italy at the Stade Flaminio, with the handicap ranging from minus 22 points to minus 18 depending on the bookmaker.
Anybody who thinks that this weekend will deliver victories for the three favourites (Ireland, England, France) can take up Cashmans on the 4 to 9 offer.
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