What does Six Nations Betting mean?
Six Nations betting means placing bets on the Six Nations Championship, which is the annual rugby union tournament between England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Italy.
These bets can include the outright winner, individual match results, winning margins, points markets, and player props.
In simple terms, Six Nations betting is betting on outcomes linked to the tournament, whether across the full championship or in a single match.
How does Six Nations Betting work?
Six Nations betting works by letting punters place wagers on outcomes tied to the Six Nations Championship. That can mean backing a team to win the whole tournament, picking the winner of a single match, or betting on smaller markets within each game.
Here is how it works in practice:
1. Choose the type of bet
The first step is choosing what to bet on. In Six Nations betting, this usually falls into two groups: tournament bets and match bets.
Tournament bets focus on the full championship. Common examples include:
- outright winner
- team to finish in the top two
- team to win the Grand Slam
- team to finish bottom
Match bets focus on a specific fixture. Common examples include:
- match winner
- handicap betting
- total points
- winning margin
- first try scorer
- anytime try scorer
2. Read the odds
Once a market is chosen, the bookmaker lists odds for each outcome. These odds show two things: the potential return and the implied chance of that outcome happening.
In UK betting, odds are often shown in fractional format, such as 5/1 or Evens. Some bookmakers also let users switch to decimal odds.
For example:
- Ireland at 4/1 to win the Six Nations means a £10 stake returns £50 profit, plus the original £10 stake
- France at Evens in a match means a £10 stake returns £10 profit, plus the original £10 stake
Shorter odds usually suggest a stronger chance according to the bookmaker. Longer odds suggest a less likely outcome but a bigger potential return.
3. Place a stake
The stake is the amount of money placed on the bet. If the selection wins, the bookmaker pays out based on the odds taken at the time the bet was placed.
For example:
- £20 on England at 3/1
- if England wins, the profit is £60
- total return is £80
If the bet loses, the stake is lost.
4. Wait for the result
How the bet settles depends on the market.
- A match bet usually settles when that match ends.
- A tournament bet settles when the full Six Nations table is finalised.
That matters because some bets stay open for several weeks, while others are settled the same day.
Types of Six Nations Betting
Tournament bets
Tournament bets focus on what happens across the full Six Nations Championship rather than in one fixture.
Common examples include:
- Outright winner: A bet on the team that will win the championship
- Grand Slam winner: A bet on a team to win all of its matches
- Triple Crown winner: A bet on one of the Home Nations to beat the other three Home Nations
- Team to finish bottom: A bet on which side will end the tournament last
- Top two or top three finish: A bet on where a team will place in the final standings
These markets stay open until the tournament is complete.
Match bets
Match bets focus on one specific Six Nations fixture. These are among the most common options because they are simple to understand and settle quickly.
Common examples include:
- Match winner: A bet on which team will win the game
- Handicap betting: A bet based on a points start given to one team
- Total points: A bet on whether the total score will finish over or under a set line
- Winning margin: A bet on the number of points by which a team will win
- Half-time/full-time: A bet on the result at half-time and full-time
- Draw no bet: A market where the stake is returned if the match ends level
These bets are usually settled once the match finishes.
Player bets
Player bets are based on individual performances rather than the final result alone.
Common examples include:
- First try scorer
A bet on the player who scores the first try in the match - Anytime try scorer
A bet on a player to score at any point - Top tournament try scorer
A bet on the player who finishes the championship with the most tries - Top points scorer
A bet on the player who scores the most points across the tournament
These markets are popular in rugby because individual players can have a clear impact on scoring.
Special and bookmaker-specific bets
Some bookmakers also offer more specific or novelty-style markets during the Six Nations.
These can include:
- exact score
- winning team and total points
- method of victory
- team to score first
- race to a set number of points
These markets vary between bookmakers, so the available options are not always the same.
Conclusion
Six Nations betting means placing bets on outcomes tied to the Six Nations Championship. That can include backing a team to win the tournament, picking the winner of a single match, or betting on player and points-based markets.
Once you understand how these bets are structured and the difference between tournament, match, and player markets, it becomes much easier to read bookmaker odds and make sense of the options available.
For more insights into betting rules and markets, visit The Advantage blog.
Frequently asked questions
Can I bet on the outright winner of the Six Nations?
Yes. Many bookmakers offer outright winner markets before the tournament starts and throughout the competition. You can also find related markets such as Grand Slam winner, Triple Crown winner, and team to finish bottom.
Is Six Nations betting only for individual matches?
No. Six Nations betting includes both match-by-match betting and tournament betting. That means you can bet on a single fixture or on outcomes that are settled at the end of the championship.
What does a Grand Slam bet mean in the Six Nations?
A Grand Slam bet is a bet on a team to win all of its matches in the tournament. It is different from simply winning the championship, as a team can win the Six Nations without completing a Grand Slam.
Are player markets available in Six Nations betting?
Yes. Bookmakers often offer player markets such as first try scorer, anytime try scorer, top tournament try scorer, and top points scorer.
Do Six Nations odds change during the tournament?
Yes. Odds can move based on form, injuries, team news, and results from earlier rounds. Match odds can also shift as kick-off gets closer.