What is an Octopus in Football?

An octopus in football is the rare feat of a player scoring a touchdown and then completing the two-point conversion on the same drive, worth eight points in total. This guide explains where the name comes from, how to find and place an octopus bet, who has scored one, and the stats, rules and bankroll habits worth knowing before backing this long-shot wager.

Pros & Cons of Wagering on an Octopus in Football Betting

Before betting on an octopus in football, it helps to weigh what makes the wager appealing against what makes it hard to predict. The odds are the main draw, often starting above 50.0, which means a small stake can return a significant payout, and the rarity of the feat adds genuine excitement to watching a game unfold. Set against that, the event happens only a handful of times a season, not every match offers the market, and odds can shift fast once a potential octopus starts to look likely. A full breakdown of the advantages and disadvantages sits at the end of this guide.

How To Place an Octopus Bet

Placing an octopus bet starts with finding a bookmaker that lists the market, usually in the special bets section or among long-term wagers, since not every operator includes it. In the betting line it can appear under several names, including octopus, touchdown plus two-point conversion, eight-point achievement or special player performance.

Because the odds usually start around 50.0, even a small stake can bring a meaningful return, and many experienced bettors recommend risking no more than 1-2% of the bankroll on a single octopus bet.

Opening an account and placing the bet generally follows the same process:

1. Register on the 1xBit website.
2. Make a deposit and claim any bonuses on offer.
3. Open the Sports tab and select American Football.
4. Choose the tournament and match from the list.
5. Find Octopus among the betting options and confirm the stake.

It pays to check how the bet settles before staking: some bookmakers require the touchdown and two-point conversion to come from the same player within regular game time, while others also count overtime. Reviewing the starting lineups beforehand helps too, since a versatile player capable of both scoring and converting raises the chances of the feat, and odds are worth tracking right up to kickoff as they can move with lineup or weather news.

Who Has Scored an Octopus in Football?

Since the NFL introduced the two-point conversion in 1994, 175 octopus achievements have been recorded. Jalen Hurts became the first player in Super Bowl history to record one, doing so during Super Bowl LVII, while Tyreek Hill caught a touchdown pass and added the two-point conversion during the 2018 season. A running record known as the Octopus Tracker has logged every instance of the feat since the conversion rule was introduced.

What is an Octopus in Football Betting?

Exotic markets like this one keep growing in the betting world, and the octopus stands out for pairing long odds with genuine unpredictability. The details below cover how the bet works in practice.

An Octopus Football Bet Explained

Settlement rules vary between bookmakers, so the exact conditions are worth checking before staking. Most operators require the same player to score the touchdown and then convert the two-point attempt, with both plays completed during regular game time, the touchdown coming before the conversion attempt, the conversion succeeding on the first try, and both events falling within the same half. Some books also exclude penalty-assisted touchdowns or only settle the bet if the player's team wins, so reading the specific terms remains essential.

Keep Stakes Relatively Low

Bankroll management matters more here than on most markets, given how rarely an octopus occurs. A stake of 0.1-0.5% of the bankroll per wager is a sensible ceiling, and it helps to avoid increasing stakes after a losing run, set a daily limit for this type of bet, keep a record of results, and treat the wager as entertainment rather than a core part of a betting strategy.

Consider Conversion Percentages

Conversion statistics offer the clearest edge when assessing an octopus bet. Worth checking are the league's overall two-point success rate, individual player conversion history, weather conditions and field surface, and how often conversions land in high-pressure matches. None of these guarantees a result, but together they sharpen the odds of picking the right game.

Consider Other Betting Options

Pairing an octopus bet with related markets can balance the risk, such as the total number of conversions in a game, which player converts first, the half with the most points, or a combination bet tying a touchdown to a match win. Long-term bets on the total octopuses across a season are another option. Some bookmakers also offer partial insurance, refunding part of the stake if only the touchdown or only the conversion lands.

Octopus Facts

The historical numbers add useful context. Roughly 140 players have successfully scored an octopus in official matches, the Packers and Rams share the record with 11 each, and the Lions follow close behind with 10. Passing conversions account for about twice as many octopuses as rushing conversions. High-scoring games with an attacking style tend to produce the feat most often, and the number of octopuses per season has been climbing as more versatile players enter the league.

Tips for Placing an Octopus Bet in Football

Predicting an octopus takes more guesswork than most bets, but a few habits improve the odds of picking a live candidate:

• Study player history: those who have already scored an octopus are more likely to repeat the feat.
• Check conversion statistics: on average only about five teams a season keep a perfect two-point record.
• Read the game context: most octopuses happen when a team is chasing points or trailing by a wide margin.
• Keep stakes small: an octopus happens roughly six times a season league-wide, so this stays a long-shot bet.
• Use bonus offers such as boosted odds, insurance or partial refunds where bookmakers provide them.

Even careful analysis cannot make an octopus predictable, so it is best treated as an entertaining long-shot rather than a dependable source of profit.