What Is an ‘Octopus Bet’ in Sports Betting?
An “Octopus Bet” is a wager on a specific, and rather impressive, individual achievement by a single player in an NFL game.
An “Octopus” occurs when the same player who scores a touchdown also scores the subsequent two-point conversion.
This feat is named for the eight points the player single-handedly scores for their team—six for the touchdown and two for the conversion—mirroring the eight tentacles of an octopus.
📜 The Criteria for an Octopus
For a bet on an “Octopus” to be successful, the following must happen in sequence:
- A Player Scores a Touchdown: This can be a rushing, receiving, or a return touchdown.
- The Same Player Scores the Ensuing Two-Point Conversion: Immediately after the touchdown, the scoring team must opt for and successfully complete a two-point conversion, with the same player who scored the touchdown also being the one to carry or catch the ball into the endzone.
Key Points to Understand
- It’s a Rarity: The “Octopus” is a relatively rare event in the NFL. This is because teams don’t always attempt a two-point conversion after a touchdown, and even when they do, the ball doesn’t necessarily go to the player who just scored. This rarity is what makes it an exciting and often lucrative prop bet.
- Origins of the Term: The term was coined in 2019 by Sports Illustrated writer and podcaster Mitch Goldich. It has since been adopted by sports bettors and is now recognized by many sportsbooks and media outlets.
- Not Always an Official Market: While the term is popular among bettors, not every sportsbook will offer a specific “Will an Octopus occur?” market for every game. It is more commonly found for high-profile matchups like the Super Bowl. However, you could potentially achieve the same outcome by placing a same-game parlay on a player to score a touchdown and that same player to score a two-point conversion, though the specific “Octopus” bet is more straightforward.
The first-ever “Octopus” in a Super Bowl happened in Super Bowl LVII (2023), when Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts rushed for a touchdown and then also rushed for the subsequent two-point conversion.
In essence, the “Octopus Bet” is a wager on a player to score eight points for their team in a single, continuous play sequence. It’s a thrilling and specific bet that adds an extra layer of excitement to watching an American football game.