What is an Octopus Bet in Football?

Bet365$500 BONUS!Claim Now
BetMGM$1,500 BONUS!Claim Now
SugarHouse$500 BONUS!Claim Now
PointsBet$2,000 in Risk-Free Bets!Claim Now

American football is not just a game of touchdowns and field goals; it’s a sport rich in strategy, tactics, and terminology.

One term that has recently made its way into the football lexicon is the “octopus bet.”

While it might sound like something out of a marine biology class, it’s a concept that every NFL enthusiast and bettor should be familiar with, especially when the Super Bowl rolls around.


Join our top NFL sportsbooks

Bet365$500 BONUS!Claim Now
BetMGM$1,500 BONUS!Claim Now
SugarHouse$500 BONUS!Claim Now
PointsBet$2,000 in Risk-Free Bets!Claim Now

Origins: How the Octopus Bet Came to Be

The term “octopus” was introduced to the football world in 2019 by Mitch Goldich of Sports Illustrated.

But what does an aquatic creature with eight limbs have to do with football?

The connection is surprisingly straightforward: it’s all about scoring eight points in a specific manner.

What is an Octopus Bet in Football?

An “octopus” refers to a player who scores a touchdown (worth six points) and then successfully completes a two-point conversion (adding another two points).

The total?

Eight points, mirroring the eight limbs of an octopus.

The Octopus Bet: A Unique Wagering Proposition

While the octopus bet isn’t a standard offering on the NFL wagering menu for many sportsbooks, it has carved out a niche for itself, especially during the Super Bowl.

Among the myriad of prop bets available for the biggest game of the year, the octopus bet stands out as a unique and exciting wagering opportunity.

Bettors who choose to place an octopus bet are essentially wagering on a specific player to achieve this eight-point feat during the game.

It’s a bet that combines the thrill of predicting a touchdown with the added suspense of a subsequent two-point conversion.

Why the Octopus Bet is Gaining Traction

High Risk, High Reward

Given its specificity, the octopus bet often comes with attractive odds.

The challenge of predicting both a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion by the same player makes it a high-risk, high-reward proposition.

The Super Bowl Effect

The Super Bowl, with its global audience and heightened stakes, is the perfect stage for unique bets like the octopus.

The sheer number of novelty and prop bets available during the Super Bowl ensures that the octopus bet finds its place among the options, attracting both seasoned bettors and casual fans.

Our Conclusion on the Octopus Bet

The octopus bet, while relatively new, encapsulates the ever-evolving nature of NFL and the betting industry surrounding it – which is growing rapidly in recent years with the lagalization of online sports betting across the country.

As the game continues to grow and change, so will the ways fans and bettors engage with it.

The octopus bet is just one example of how tradition and innovation come together in the world of football, offering fans a fresh way to experience the thrill of the game with the leading sportsbooks who offer the unique betting market.

Bet365$500 BONUS!Claim Now
BetMGM$1,500 BONUS!Claim Now
SugarHouse$500 BONUS!Claim Now
PointsBet$2,000 in Risk-Free Bets!Claim Now
Photo of author

About Daryl Curnow

After graduating from the University of Auckland (BA - English), Daryl was thrown into the world of sports and horse racing journalism. Having worked as a racing journalist for two years, he decided to move into the online world of horse racing and sports writing. Coupled with his love of US sport, Daryl's picks have been featured on various websites around the world and viewed by millions of readers. After years of honing his craft, Daryl became a professional punter in 2009 - with a focus on horse racing, NBA, NFL, and college sports. When he's not working, Daryl tries to avoid making bogeys on the golf course.