Octopus Football Betting Explained
The Octopus bet refers to a unique situation where a football player scores a touchdown and then successfully converts a two-point conversion on the same drive. Essentially, one player accumulates eight points during that drive.
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You might have heard the word ‘octopus’ being used when talking about the NFL, but what on Earth can this eight-legged creature have to do with football? It turns out that a surprising number of online sportsbooks offer octopus bets. So, we’re going to take a look at what an octopus is in football betting, as well as when you can place an octopus bet on football.
What is an Octopus Bet in Football Betting?
To understand what an octopus is in sports betting, we need to know the meaning of an octopus in football. This term was originally used back in 2019, so it’s a very recent one.
It refers to when a football player scores a touchdown and then scores the two-point conversion afterwards. This is an exciting move that’s happened less than a couple hundred times in the last thirty years!
Why is it called octopus though? Well, these sea creatures have eight tentacles and the touchdown scores six points, plus the two point conversion for a total of eight points. It’s that simple!
How Does an Octopus Bet Work?
Now that you know a little about the history of octopus gambling, let’s take a look at exactly how octopus betting works. The easiest way is to take a step-by-step example.
1. You won’t find the option to place an octopus bet on all NFL games, it’s usually reserved for those of seriously high calibre, like the Super Bowl. So, first find a big game.
2. Next, sift through the prop bet markets. You’ll usually find octopus bets in the novelty prop section.
3. Select the octopus bet and the team, or player, you think is most likely to score one. You’ll notice that if you select a player octopus bet the odds will be much longer. This is simply because it’s hard enough to predict an octopus happening, let alone which player will score it.
4. With the octopus bet selected, choose your stake and cross your fingers!
Pros and Cons of Octopus Betting
While the payout on an octopus can seem tempting, the chances that a player will score an octopus are pretty low. Let’s take a look at what some of the benefits and drawbacks of octopus betting are.
Pros of Octopus Sports Betting
● An octopus being scored is a very exciting moment in football betting
● The payout for an octopus bet is usually very high
● Possible to look at player statistics to increase the chances of a successful bet
● Can massively increase the payout of bets like parlays/same game parlays
Cons of Octopus Sports Betting
● The ball can’t be thrown for a touchdown and score two points. It must be secured in the end zone for the touchdown and the two point conversion.
● An octopus is statistically very unlikely to happen
● Attempts to convert the touchdown into an octopus are often not successful
● Must consider if there will be an octopus bet, only available on a few games
Tips for Placing an Octopus Bet in Football
So, now you know all about what an octopus is in NFL betting, you’re still keen to place one! Let’s take a look at some tips on how to place a successful octopus bet.
● Look out for players with previous octopus form. Some players have scored more than one octopus in the same game! These players are much more likely to score an octopus again.
● Look at the two point conversion rate for the teams who are playing. Some teams have managed a 100% two point conversion rate, while many others have a conversion rate of around a third of the time. Choose those teams that regularly nail the two point conversion.
● On the other side of the coin, some teams won’t even try for an octopus. This could be because their conversion rate is low, but it could also be because they’re unlikely to need the points. Sometimes teams with a lot of ground to make up plump for a conversion and succeed, these underdogs can prove great value bets.
● Consider using a bonus! Bonuses where your stake gets refunded if you lose can cushion the blow and allow you to make these riskier novelty bets.
FAQ
In the NFL, only 140 players have scored an octopus since it was introduced in 1994. At the moment, the Green Bay Packers and the Los Angeles Rams have the joint most octopi with 11 each.
Yes, this is a crucial part of the octopus and a reason why it’s so uncommon. Not only must the player score the touchdown, but they must also run the conversion past the line too.
With a decade of experience in the sports betting industry, Claudia can spot a value bet from a mile off. She prides herself on not just being a sports writer, but a fastidious researcher too.