How to Bet on the CFL

Betting on the CFL is similar to betting on the NFL or college football in the U.S. There are some differences though and some key items that bettors need to consider.

Best CFL Bookies Online

The betting menu is the same. Bettors can wager on the point spread, moneyline, game totals, props, and futures. There are some useful strategies that can be put in play to help bettors succeed in betting the CFL.

First, one must begin with the differences between Canadian and American football.

CFL & NFL Differences

Teams in the CFL only have three downs to go ten yards and make a first down. That makes running the ball less important in the CFL. The Canadian game is a passing game.

The dimensions of the field help in that passing game. The field is wider and longer. End zones are 25 yards deep.

Teams also play with 12 players and all skill personnel – running backs and wide receivers – may go in motion before the snap.

The other big difference is the rouge. Teams are awarded a single point when they kick the ball into the end zone, don’t convert a field goal, and the opposing team is unable to return the ball out of its end zone.

Top Sports Cappers

Pay Attention to Matchups

hqdefault

This is true in handicapping any sport, but the CFL is a nine-team league. The history of matchups between certain teams and even players on opposing teams will always have some significance.

With a nine-team league and just four games every weekend, doing the research on your CFL bets is much easier than other leagues that have more teams.

Pay Per Head Platforms

Underdogs & Unders Early

There is typically a lot of roster turnover from year to year in the CFL. That makes for some uncertainty at the beginning of a new season. Bettors should consider betting on underdogs against the spread at the start of the season.

Since the 2006 CFL season, underdogs are 140-87-2 ATS in the first four weeks of the season. Just last year, underdogs were 10-5 ATS in the first four weeks. That’s a 67 percent win rate.

The other thing for CFL bettors to consider is betting the Under. In a pass-heavy league, betting the Over seems like the best bet. That’s not the case.

Since the 2005 season, there have been more Overs than Unders in just one CFL season. Since that time, the Under has won 54.6 percent of the time. Going back to the 2014 season, Unders are 19-9 in the first week of the CFL season. It takes a few weeks for CFL teams to find their groove on offense.

Professional Betting Guides

Special Teams

Special teams play a greater role in CFL games than in NFL games. Last year in the NFL, teams averaged 1.62 punt returns and 2.02 kickoff returns per game. In the CFL those numbers were 4.95 and 3.91.

With fewer downs, there are more punts and the CFL has a no-fair-catch rule and must give a returner a five-yard cushion upon receiving the kick. Returns play a bigger role in CFL games. Bettors should pay attention to teams that excel in this area.

About the Author
Rick Bouch
Click to Contact
Rick Bouch is a former high school, college, and professional athlete who now spends his time writing about sports and sports betting. Rick has played and coached football at various levels and brings a unique perspective to sports handicapping. He is continuously on the cutting edge of all things football. While college football is his specialty, Rick’s knowledge spans all of the major sports.
DocSports, The most trusted name in sports handicapping