Octopus Bet Explained

New prop betting markets have appeared almost daily, especially in popular sports like football. Besides wagering on traditional markets like match or tournament winners in significant football events like the Super Bowl, bettors now have nearly endless betting opportunities in props, from betting on the color of the Gatorade shower to how long the National Anthem will take.

However, you’d least expect the introduction of the “Octopus bet” — yes, you read that right, but it’s not the sea animal nor Paul the Octopus, the World Cup betting mascot.

This article will cover everything you need to know about it, including:

What octopus sports bet means
How it works
Players who have recorded an octopus
Odds for the bet
Is it worth it?
Etc.

Octopus Football Bet Main Features

Octopus bet is one of the newest novelty prop football bets garnering massive attention from NFL fans and bettors. Even some die-hard experienced bettors are unfamiliar with this bet, so there’s no need to beat yourself up if you haven’t heard about it. To fully understand how this bet works, it is essential to understand the concept of itself in the sport.

The term “Octopus” was coined by Mitch Goldich, a reporter from Sports Illustrated, during the 2019 football season. According to him, it refers to when the same football player scores a touchdown and also scores the two-point conversion that follows the TD. It is called the octopus football bet because it involves six points for a touchdown and two for the following 2-point conversion. It makes the total number of points eight, referencing the eight tentacles of an octopus.

Recently, this novelty prop is becoming popular in sportsbooks. For instance, popular bookmakers like Fanduel, DraftKings, and BetRivers released odds for the “Will there be an octopus” prop for the Super Bowl 57 in February 2023. Also, it is noteworthy that this prop is unique to football; hence you can’t find octopus basketball bets or any other sport on bookmakers.

Players Who Have Recorded an Octopus

While the concept of an octopus is easy to understand, the phenomenon is rare. It had only happened 175 times in the NFL since 1994, when the 2-point conversion was introduced to the league. Also, it has only happened once in the Super Bowl. It means only a tiny percentage of players have been able to record one in their career. In this section of our article, we’ll examine popular players who have registered the octopus in football.

Todd Gurley

Todd Gurley is a former professional American football player who played as a running back primarily for the Los Angeles Rams in the NFL. He is first on our list as he has the most octopi in the NFL, having recorded the stat 4 times in his career. Even more remarkable is that he recorded the feat thrice in one season and twice in the same game.

Gurley recorded his first 2 octopi in 2018 in Ram’s Week 2 matchup against the Arizona Cardinals, scoring 2 consecutive 2-point conversions after 2 touchdowns. He made it 3 in Week 8 of the same season against the Packers. Gurley recorded his last octopus in the 2019/20 season against the Cowboys for the record-setting 4th time in his career. With him retiring in 2022, we’ll see if this record will be broken soon.

Randy Moss

Randy Moss is another former American football wide receiver who played in the NFL for 14 seasons. He is the second player with the most octopi in the NFL behind Gurley, recording the feat 3 times in his career. Moss recorded his first 2 octopi in 1998 and 2000 while playing with the Vikings and added the third one with the Patriots in 2009.

Jalen Hurts

Jalen Hurts is an NFL QB who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles. While the above players in our list won their octopi before the stat started gaining traction in the betting community, Hurts won his first recently in December 2022 in a matchup against the Bears to put his team in a 25-13 win.

However, Hurt’s most notable octopus in football was during the February 2023 Super Bowl 57 when the Eagles faced off against the Chicago Bears. After scoring 2 touchdowns, he ran a third one-yard TD in the 4th quarter of the game and scored the 2 ensuing 2-point conversions, becoming the first-ever player to achieve this rare feat in the Super Bowl.

Before the match, DraftKings and Fanduel had +1400 odds for an octopus happening in the game, resulting in fans who wagered on it going wild.

Teams with the Most Octopi in Football

The Green Bay Packers have recorded 11 octopi, the highest by any NFL team except the Rams. Two of the Packer’s players, DaVante Adams and Randall Cobb, have recorded 2 octopi each for the club, with Adams scoring the most recently against the 49ers in the Week 49 of 2022/23 NFL. The other 7 Packer’s octopi were scored by Aaron Rodgers, Ruvell Martin, James Jones, Richard Rodgers, Corey Bradford, Greg Jennings, and Mark Chmura.

The Los Angeles Rams tie Packers as the highest number of octopi in the NFL, scoring the feat 11 times. Names like Todd Gurley, the king player of octopi with 4 recorded feats, are notable in this achievement. Cam Akers scored another notable Rams octopus in the 2020/21 season against the Green Bay Packers. Akers later won the award for the best octopus of the season.

Other teams that follow closely behind the ones listed above with the most octopi are the Eagles, Steelers, and 49ers.

Best Sportsbooks for Octopus Bets

As mentioned, Octopus bets can be a unique way for punters to engage in their favorite sport and get some action. The bet involves placing a wager on whether any player scores a touchdown and also scores a two-point conversion immediately after. Due to the excitement it brings to punters, many sportsbooks offer this bet type to punters.

Before joining a betting site for octopus bets, it’s essential to ensure that it is reputable with relevant licenses and regulatory oversights. You should also consider essential factors like profitable odds, betting features, payment methods, customer services, generous bonuses, promotions (if you like them), and more. Some of the best sportsbooks for octopus bets include:

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These sportsbooks provide some of the best octopus bet odds online and meet the essential requirements for a good betting site. They also provide a variety of other novelty prop bets, so you can always find something exciting to bet on when you go online.

Not all sportsbooks offer octopus bets, so if you are interested in this bet type, you should confirm that a site offers it before you join up. If you ever ask “How can Ifind bookmakers near me?” simply trust our BetZillion’s expertise.

Odds for the Octopus Bet

Today, several sportsbooks offer odds for octopus NFL bets. As mentioned above, scoring the octopus is rare, having happened 175 times since 1994. Since each NFL season has 272 games, simple math will give you 2% as the probability for one happening in any match you wager on.

So, you’ll find that the odds of an octopus in betting are always high, while the odds of there being none in a match are ridiculously low. Therefore, the real opportunity in this bet is to predict a “Yes” for the “Will there be an octopus” market, as this promises remarkable payouts.

Like other prop bets, sportsbooks consider several factors before offering their odds for the octopi occurring, including past performances of players and teams, historical stats, and weather. However, the odds for an octopus may vary significantly depending on the match. For instance, if a team’s player has a record of scoring TDs and 2-point conversions, the odds for octopus may be lower than regular for the game. Sportsbooks will also adjust their odds based on the amount wagered on each of the “Yes” and “No” possibilities for the novelty prop bet.

Notably, more teams are going for 2-point conversions in recent games. So, we might see more octopi, more records broken, and the general odds of one reducing in the coming seasons.

Super Bowl Octopus Odds

The Super Bowl is among the most-wagered sports events worldwide. Therefore, it is not surprising that it is filled with a wide variety of betting options and markets, from regular ones to specialized prop wagers like the first player to score a TD, the color of Gatorade, and the coin toss. The NFL octopus bet is not a traditional football betting market, but it is one of the novelty prop bets available in the Super Bowl.

The Super Bowl 57 held in February 2023, between Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles, is one of the best examples of Super Bowl prop bet octopus odds. Before the match, top sportsbooks like DraftKings, Fanduel, and BetRivers had offered odds for the “Will there be an octopus” market. DraftKings set the odds for “Yes” at +1400, which implied a 6.67% probability of happening. Conversely, the odds for “No” is a massive -10000. Therefore, a bettor will win $1500 if their “Yes” wager is a substantial payout.

As mentioned above, bookmakers set odds for octopus bet Super Bowl based on every factor pointing to the possibility of the rare event, including team and player performances, past statistics, external factors, etc.

Interestingly, Eagle’s QB, Jalen Hurts, cashed this bet for the first time in the history of the Super Bowl, running a one-yard TD and scoring the following two-point conversion. It resulted in wild excitement in the betting community as around 98% of bets were on “Yes.”

Super Bowl Octopus Historical Odds

Will there be an octopus?	DraftKings Sportsbook	FanDuel Sportsbook
✅	+1400	+1300
❌	-5000	-4500

History of the Octopus in Football

As mentioned above, octopus is a recent term in football coined by Mitch Goldich, a sports writer from Sports Illustrated, in 2019. He says, “An octopus is when the same player who scores a touchdown also scores the ensuing 2-point conversion.” No, being a quarterback and throwing the ball for a TD does not count. You must be the one who secures the ball in the end zone on both plays.”

While the term “octopus” is new, the phenomenon’s reality has been possible since 1994, when the NFL implemented the two-point conversion. It means different players have achieved the feat in their careers since 1994.

However, octopus in football is relatively rare. For instance, from 1994 to the 2022/23 NFL season, only 175 octopi occurrences were recorded. Additionally, only one octopus has been recorded in the Super Bowls since that year till the present. Presently, Todd Gurley remains the king player of octopus, having recorded the feat four times in his career. He is closely followed by Hall-of-Fame Randy Moss, who has three octopi to his name. Also, two teams are currently tied with the most octopi in the NFL; the Green Bay Packers and Los Angeles Rams, with 11 octopi each.

Famous Examples of Octopi in Football History

As mentioned, an octopus is difficult to achieve during a football game. There have only been about 175 recorded instances of octopi in the NFL since introducing the two-point conversion in 1994.

Some of the most famous occurrences of this rare phenomenon include:

Torrey Smith’s scored the First Official Octopus

In October 2018, Torrey Smith scored an octopus when his team, the Carolina Panthers, played against the Washington Commanders. This event inspired Mitch Goldich to go to Twitter to find the perfect term for the action.

During the game, the Panthers were trailing behind in the fourth quarter. But this changed after Cam Newton hit Torrey Smith with a 3-yard touchdown pass. Immediately after this, Newton connected with Smith again to convert the 2-pointer, resulting in one player scoring 8 points on a single drive (i.e., the octopus).

Sadly, the Panthers eventually lost the game with a 23-17 victory in favor of the Washington Commanders. Still, Torrey Smith’s play during the match would later make the octopus a coveted achievement in football.

Mark Andrews Scores a Double Octopus Game to Erase a 16-Point Goal Difference

Another famous example of the octopi in football history happened in 2021 when Mark Andrews achieved the second-ever double octopus during a single game. It happened when the Ravens were playing against the Colts in week 5.

During the game, the Indianapolis Colts trailed by 19 points in the third quarter and then by 16 with about 10 minutes left. Within that time, Mark Andrews scored two octopi soon after, granting his team 16 points to tie the game. The double octopi happened within 9 minutes of game time and 23 minutes of real-time, which earned him the 2021 Octopus of the Year award.

Kansas City Chiefs QB Patrick Mahomes Accomplished the Feat against the Buffalo Hills

Patrick Mahomes scored the octopus during his team’s game against the Tennessee Titans in November 2022. It happened when he rushed for a 14-yard touchdown and ran for the two-point conversion. The feat helped the Chiefs tie the contest at 17 late in the fourth quarter, which later resulted in their victory in overtime. Interestingly, Patrick Mahomes has also scored the octopi a few other times. He did so in 2018 when his team played against the Denver Broncos and in 2019 when opposing the Los Angeles Chargers.

DraftKings Octopus Bet

DraftKings is one of the sportsbooks that allows bettors to wager on an octopus possibility. With one of the biggest user bases, it also covers a wide range of other prop wagers with fair odds, a sleek mobile application, and an excellent user experience. It makes the bookmaker one of the best places to wager on the octopus market.

DraftKings offered one of the best odds for the “will there be an octopus” market in the Super Bowl LVII with the yes and no options at +1400 and -10000, respectively.

Octopus Vs. Other Novelty Prop Bets in Football

In football sports betting, aside from the regular match winner, point spread, total bets, and others, sports books provide many other exciting options that punters can try out. Some of these options are called prop bets, which involve unique and exciting events that don’t directly affect the outcome of a game.

In NFL football betting, these prop bets are typically referred to as novelty prop bets, adding an element of fun and excitement to the overall experience a punter gets online. The “Octopus” bet falls under this category of novelty bets that football fans can place during an NFL game day, especially during the Super Bowl. Aside from the Octopus bet, there are many other novelty prop bets alternatives that football fans can enjoy, including:

Alternatives	Description
Super Bowl Coin Toss	This is the most straightforward novelty prop bet online. Before the game starts, a coin toss determines which team gets first possession. Sports books provide lines on both ends of a coin toss for players to back.
Halftime show	During the major NFL games, especially the super bowl, all sorts of halftime shows occur. Sports betting sites have also capitalized on this to provide bets on different aspects of the show. It can include the performance length, songs played, special guests, the performer’s hair/dress/shirt color, and more. This novelty prop bet attracts football and betting fans alike.
Combined jerseys of all TD scorers	The bet involves adding up the jersey number of all players who will score a touchdown during the game. The bookmakers assign a line, and you wager on whether the sum will go over or under it.
Player and coach behavior	Here, you get to wager on whether or not a particular player will perform a celebratory dance or a coach will wear a specific tie color. It can also involve players receiving a yellow or red card during the game.

Is Octopus Football Bet Worth It?

The octopus football bet can be worth it. While the probability of one happening is relatively rare, the payout is usually handsome if your wager comes through. For instance, if you wagered $100 on “yes” for an octopus prop bet in the last Super Bowl, you would have received $1500 as the payout, even though there has never been an octopus in the event before.

However, some octopus betting tips include conducting helpful research on the players and teams involved to make informed decisions in your selections. You can also take advantage of the bonuses at your preferred sportsbook to maximize your bankroll and increase your chances of winning.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many octopi have there been in NFL history?

There have only been 175 octopi in NFL history since the 2-point conversion was introduced in 1994.
Can I bet on if an octopus will occur?

The octopus has become increasingly popular in the football betting community. Major sportsbooks like Fanduel and DraftKings offer reasonable odds for the “will there be an octopus market, making it possible for interested bettors to wager on it.
Does a quarterback get credit for an octopus by throwing a TD?

According to Mitch Goldich, who created the term “octopus” in football, being a quarterback and throwing the ball for a TD does not count. You must be the one who secures the ball in the end zone on both plays.”
How often does an octopus happen in the NFL?

There have been 175 octopi in the history of the NFL in about 7,800 games since 1994 — when the 2-point conversion was implemented. It means the phenomenon is relatively rare in the league.
Why is it called an octopus in football?

It is called the octopus because it involves six points for a touchdown and 2 for the following two-point conversion. It makes the total number of points 8, referencing the 8 tentacles of an octopus.
Has there ever been an octopus in the Super Bowl?

Since 1994, when the 2-point conversion was introduced, only one octopus has been recorded in the Super Bowl. Philadelphia Eagles QB Jalen Hurts achieved this feat during the February 2023 Super Bowl 57 in a face-off against the Chicago Bears. After scoring 2 touchdowns, he ran a third one-yard TD in the fourth quarter of the game and scored the 2 ensuing 2-point conversions.
What does an octopus mean for the Super Bowl?

An octopus is a relatively rare occurrence in the NFL, as it’s a difficult feat to achieve in a regular football match. Therefore, scoring an octopus in the Super Bowl, the peak of the NFL means an outstanding performance by the player and team that accomplish the feat. Also, it means an uproar in the betting community as most people wager on the “will there be an octopus” prop bet on the “yes” option. So an octopus in the Super Bowl means massive payouts.
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Author

Jimmy Daytona

Writer & Tipster

Jimmy is our on-duty tipster and writer. His favorite sports are cricket, tennis, and basketball. If you’re looking for the best betting tips in the business, Jimmy’s your guy. His tips and events previews are among the most read at BetZillion.

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