Octopus in Football – What is an Octopus Bet in Football?

What is an Octopus in Football?
Imagine this scenario: a player scores a touchdown and then successfully completes a two-point conversion. In the football world, this rare feat has earned the unique name "octopus." This is the answer to the question, what is an octopus in football.
Why octopus? The name comes from the eight points the player earns — six for the touchdown and two for the conversion. Like the tentacles of an octopus, these points come together to form a unique achievement.
In professional football, this happens extremely rarely. Typically, team roles are clearly defined: some players specialize in scoring touchdowns, while others handle conversions. Combining these skills is a hallmark of versatility.
The difficulty of achieving an octopus makes it an exciting target for bookmakers. They offer high odds on such an event. It’s common to see odds in the range of 50.0 to 100.0.
Statistics show that fewer than 100 such achievements have been recorded in football history. Most of them occurred in top-tier games, where the most technically skilled players compete. This is why the question, whats an octopus in football, is of particular interest to professional bettors. Recently, interest in these bets has grown significantly. Bookmakers are including this type of bet in their lines more often. These bets are especially popular in games featuring teams with versatile players capable of completing this rare feat.
Pros & Cons of Wagering on an Octopus in Football Betting
Before placing bets on octopus in football, it is important to weigh the pros and cons of this unusual type of wager. Let’s consider the key aspects to help make an informed decision.
Advantages | Disadvantages |
Impressive odds (often over 50.0) | Extremely low occurrence rate in games |
Minimal stakes with high winning potential | Not available in all matches during the season |
Excitement of watching a unique achievement | Difficulty predicting such an event |
Analytical approach to selecting matches is possible | Rapid changes in odds when hints of a potential octopus appear |
Exclusivity of the event adds special interest | Limited number of bookmakers accepting such bets |
Octopus football bets are particularly interesting in games involving versatile players who excel at both scoring touchdowns and completing two-point conversions. Statistics from recent seasons indicate that such players are becoming increasingly common, raising the chances of witnessing this rare feat.
With the right approach to analyzing matches and selecting events, these bets can be an engaging addition to a primary betting strategy. However, it is essential to remember that this is more of an entertaining type of wager rather than a reliable way to make consistent profits.

How To Place an Octopus Bet
Placing an octopus bet requires attention and understanding of some key details. Let’s review the step-by-step process.
First, find a bookmaker offering this type of wager. Usually, the octopus can be found in the special bets section or among long-term wagers. Not all operators include this event in their lines, so you may need to compare offerings from several bookmakers. And it’s rare to see a player score an octopus in football, but when it happens, it’s a moment worth betting on!
In the betting line, this wager may be labeled in different ways:
- Octopus
- Touchdown + 2pt conversion
- 8-point achievement
- Special player performance
It’s best to place a minimal stake. Considering the high odds (usually starting from 50.0 and up), even a small amount can result in a significant win. Many experienced bettors recommend wagering no more than 1-2% of your bankroll.
In general, the account creation process looks like this:
- Register on the 1xBit website
- Make a deposit and receive bonuses if desired
- Go to the Sports tab and select American Football
- Select the tournament and match from the drop-down list
- Find Octopus among the betting options and confirm the bet
It’s important to carefully review the rules for how bets are settled. Some bookmakers require that the touchdown and two-point conversion be completed by the same player during regular game time. Others may count achievements scored during overtime as well.
Before the match, check the team lineups. Scoring an octopus in football is more likely if the starting lineup includes versatile players capable of both scoring touchdowns and completing two-point conversions. Analyze the statistics of such players in previous games.
Track the odds just before the match begins. They may change significantly based on updates about lineups, team tactics, or weather conditions.
Who Has Scored an Octopus in Football?
Since the NFL introduced the two-point conversion in 1994, there have been 175 recorded instances of an octopus.
Notable players who have achieved this feat include:
- Jalen Hurts. During Super Bowl LVII, Hurts became the first player in Super Bowl history to record an octopus.
- Tyreek Hill. In the 2018 season, Hill caught a touchdown pass and then secured the two-point conversion.
A comprehensive record of players who have scored an octopus (Octopus Tracker) has been maintained since 1994, detailing all instances of this feat.
What is an Octopus in Football Betting?
The betting market is constantly evolving, offering players increasingly exotic wagering options. Octopus in betting occupies a special place thanks to its unique combination of high odds and the element of surprise. Let’s break down the specifics of this type of wager.

An Octopus Football Bet Explained
The main challenge is understanding the exact conditions. Rules can vary between bookmakers. Some require that no more than 15 minutes of game time pass between the touchdown and the conversion. Others count only touchdowns from open play, excluding penalties. In some cases, the octopus is valid only if the player’s team wins.
Typical bookmaker requirements:
- The same player must score the touchdown and then successfully complete the subsequent two-point conversion.
- Both actions must take place during regular game time.
- The touchdown must be scored before the conversion attempt.
- The two-point conversion must be successful on the first attempt.
- Both events must occur within the same half.
Understanding these requirements is crucial for successful betting, so always carefully review the rules of the specific bookmaker before placing a wager.
Keep Stakes Relatively Low
Proper bankroll management is critical when betting on an octopus. Given the rarity of the event, it’s recommended to use minimal amounts. The optimal stake size is 0.1-0.5% of your bankroll per wager.
Professional tips:
- Do not increase stakes after a series of losses.
- Set a maximum daily limit for such wagers.
- Keep detailed records of all bets.
- Treat this wager as entertainment rather than a primary source of profit.
Following these guidelines helps preserve your bankroll and enjoy the game without the risk of significant financial losses.
Consider Conversion Percentages
The key to successful octopus betting lies in a deep understanding of conversion statistics. Important factors to consider include:
- The league’s overall percentage of successful conversions.
- Individual player statistics.
- Weather conditions and their effect on accuracy.
- Field surface quality.
- Conversion success rates in critical matches.
Careful analysis of these factors significantly improves your chances of predicting an octopus, though it doesn’t guarantee a win.
Consider Other Betting Options
Experienced bettors often combine octopus sports betting with other markets to optimize their strategies:
- Bets on the total number of conversions in a game.
- Wagers on the first player to complete a conversion.
- Bets on the half with the most points scored.
- Combination bets on a specific player scoring a touchdown and their team winning.
- Long-term wagers on the total number of octopuses in a season.
Smartly combining these betting options allows for a balanced strategy, offsetting potential losses when chasing an octopus.
In some cases, bookmakers offer insurance for octopus bets — refunding part of the stake if the player scores a touchdown but fails the conversion, or vice versa. These offers are especially appealing for beginner bettors.

Octopus Facts
Throughout football history, there have been many fascinating facts about this rare achievement. Statistical analysis reveals interesting details:
- 140 players tried to score an octopus football in official matches and were succeed.
- The Packers and Rams share the lead for the most octopus’ instances, with 11 each in their histories.
- The Lions are close behind with 10 recorded octopuses.
- Passing two-point conversions dominate the statistics, occurring twice as often as rushing conversions.
A detailed examination of the data shows notable patterns. Octopuses most often occur in high-scoring games where teams play an attacking style of football. This is because such games provide more opportunities to combine touchdowns with two-point conversions.
It is also notable how octopuses are distributed across seasons. With the development of tactical schemes and the emergence of versatile players capable of scoring touchdowns and completing conversions, the number of such achievements has been steadily increasing.
Tips for Placing an Octopus Bet in Football
Successfully predicting an octopus and understanding what is scoring an octopus requires careful analysis of multiple factors. Here are key recommendations to enhance your betting efficiency:
- Study player history. Certain players have already recorded octopuses in the past. This is an important indicator of their versatility and ability to repeat the feat. Pay special attention to players who have achieved this multiple times.
- Analyze conversion statistics. On average, only five teams per season maintain a 100% success rate on two-point conversions. Teams with low percentages are less likely to attempt conversions, reducing the likelihood of an octopus.
- Evaluate game context. Most octopuses occur in games where teams urgently need points or are trailing by a large margin. Focus on matches with potentially high scores.
- Avoid overbetting. Remember, an octopus happens only about six times per season on average. This is truly a rare event, so bets should be small and carefully considered.
- Leverage bonus offers. Many bookmakers provide special promotions for octopus bets, such as bet insurance, boosted odds, or partial refunds for near-misses.
It is important to understand that even with thorough analysis, an octopus remains one of the most unpredictable events in football. Approach these bets as entertainment rather than a way to earn consistent profits.
FAQ
An octopus is a rare achievement where one player scores a touchdown and successfully completes a two-point conversion in the same game. The name comes from the total points earned: 6 for the touchdown and 2 for the conversion, making 8 points — like the number of tentacles on an octopus.
A two-point conversion is an additional attempt after scoring a touchdown, allowing a team to earn two extra points. The ball is placed at a designated spot, and the player must score from that point.
To record an octopus, a player must meet two conditions: they must score a touchdown during regular gameplay and then successfully complete the two-point conversion.
Yes, most major bookmakers offer octopus bets throughout the regular season. However, availability may vary depending on the bookmaker.

Sergey Ilyin
An experienced specialist in the field of betting and gambling. He analyzes market trends, player behavior, and the dynamics of online gaming platform development. An expert in the intricacies of sports betting and knowledgeable about the regulatory framework of the gambling industry.