How to Improve your CFL Betting: A Strategy Guide for Canadian Football Fan

Understanding the CFL Betting Landscape

The CFL consists of 9 teams, 5 from the West and 4 from the East. Each team plays 18 games in a season. A full CFL season is scheduled as follows.

• Preseason: late May - early June 

• Regular season: June - October 

• Playoffs: November 

• Grey Cup final: late November 

The betting scene in Canada is quite similar to that of the U.S. However, licensing and regulations are done according to provinces compared to states, as seen in the U.S. 

Despite the difference in regulations, betting markets in Canada and the U.S. are mostly the same. Legal sportsbooks offer the following basic markets.

• Moneyline

• Point Spread

• Totals

Top sportsbooks, such as Bet99, Betway, and NorthStar Bets, go a step further by offering additional markets. Options include futures, half-time/full-time, and the last team to score for CFL betting. 

Betting on the CFL is similar to betting on the NFL. However, the CFL and NFL have slightly different rules, which impact how you place your bets. First, the CFL has a larger field, measuring 110 yards in length and 65 yards in width. The NFL field is 100 yards long and 53.3 yards wide. The larger field in the CFL results in higher passing and receiving yard props compared to the NFL.

The CFL is much faster because players take more risks. They throw the ball more to gain big yards due to 3 downs instead of 4 downs in the NFL. It allows for more mistakes, making it more challenging for favourites to maintain leads.

Top CFL Betting Markets Explained

Canadian sportsbooks offer a wide range of betting markets for the CFL. Find some of them and learn how to use them below!

Point Spreads

Betting sites use point spreads to level the playing field for both favourites and underdogs. It is a wager on the margin of points a team will use to win or lose. 

For example, if the Toronto Argonauts have a spread of -7.5, they need to win by 8 or more points to cover the spread. However, if the Blue Bombers have +7.5, they must win outright or lose by 7 or fewer points to cover the spread.

Point spreads work differently in the NFL and CFL. The spreads are often tighter in the CFL than in the NFL because of 3 downs. The underdogs also cover the spread more often in the CFL than in the NFL.

Moneyline Bets

The moneyline betting market is the simplest in the CFL. You'll bet on which team will win a game. The favourites usually have smaller odds, while the underdogs have larger odds. For example, the BC Lions might have odds of -100 (favourites) against the Ottawa Redblacks at +450 (underdogs). 

However, the dynamics of moneyline bets in the CFL are quite different. Underdogs often cause more upsets due to 3 downs, wider fields, motion rules, and deep-end zones. Consider betting on the underdog if the spread is between +1.5 and +3.

Totals (Over/Under)

Totals is a wager on whether the combined points of both teams will be over or under a specific number. For instance, let's say the total score is set at 51.5 points. Over will win if the score is 27-25 (52 points) while under wins if the score is 25-20 (45 points). 

The CFL is a high-scoring game compared to the NFL due to factors including 3 downs and larger fields. As a result, totals in the CFL range from 47.5 to 55.5. 

Also, consider the weather before placing a total wager. Bad weather could impact the number of points in a game. Snow, rain, and heavy wind are more common late in the season, influencing the outcome of your bet.

Futures Bets

Futures bets allow players to wager on an outcome that will happen later in the season. It's usually betting on outright winners, such as the Grey Cup or division winners. 

Other types of future bets include the regular season MVP, and the team expected to reach the playoffs. You can bet on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to make the playoffs. Keep in mind that you can place this kind of wager even before the CFL season begins. These bets are usually available until the later stages of the season.

Prop Bets

Prop bets are wagers that do not depend on the final score of a game. They include various types, such as player props, team props, game props, and scoring props. 

Examples of player props are the first player to score a touchdown and over/under passing yards for specific players. Team props might include the most first downs, total team points, and the first team to score. Other props include anytime touchdown scorer, total punts, and total points in the first half. 

Compared to the NFL, Canadian sportsbooks tend to offer fewer prop bets on the CFL. The primary focus is on top quarterbacks, wide receivers, and running backs.

Key Strategies to Maximize Your CFL Betting

If you're a big fan of Canadian football, using strategies will help you maximize your CFL betting. Try out these strategies!

Know the Teams and Trends

The most important tip is to understand the teams you're betting on. Doing research is crucial before placing your bet. Review each team's form, including their performance at home and away. Also, check the statistics of each team in a West vs. East game. 

Keep an eye on trends to ensure you're making informed decisions. For example, the home team generally has more advantage in the CFL than the away team. Furthermore, examine the head-to-head record between the two teams. Be sure to consider any injuries or suspensions on either side.

Leverage CFL’s Unique Rules

As we've already explained in this guide, the CFL has distinct rules compared to the NFL. The field is larger, and there are only 3 downs instead of 4. This results in faster-paced games. Most games tend to have high scores because of the CFL's volatility. Therefore, targeting over/under bets might be more suitable. 

Due to its volatility, the underdog odds could offer more value. Upsets happen more frequently than in the NFL. As a result, you could earn higher payouts if you find good undervalued underdog odds.

Weather and Travel

The weather can also significantly impact your bets. It sometimes lowers the scores. Rain, snow, and wind are more common in Regina and Winnipeg from October, which can influence the outcomes of totals or ATS (against the spread). 

For example, rain makes the ball slippery, leading to more fumbles or drops. Snow or cold can affect players' speed, grip, and accuracy, while winds interfere with passes and field goals.

Additionally, checking the travel distances of the away team is crucial. Teams experience fatigue from long journeys. For example, the distance from BC to Montreal is over 5000 km. This can sometimes affect the performance of the travelling side.

Shop for the Best Odds

Odds values determine your payout, and getting the best ones is crucial. We suggest comparing odds across Canadian sportsbooks before placing your bets. 

Create accounts on multiple sportsbooks like NorthStar Bets, Betway, and Bet99. Find your favourite game on each platform to see the differences in odds and place bets on the site that offers the best value. 

For instance, a moneyline of -140 is better than -150. Similarly, an odds of +160 is preferable to +155. You may also use comparison websites like OddsSharks for a quicker overview of differences in odds.

Avoid Betting Parlays Blindly

While parlays increase your payout with a small wager, it's risky to play them blindly. The downside is that all your picks must win to secure a payout. Therefore, we recommend favouring singles over parlays unless you're using a disciplined system. 

Single bets are simple because you're only predicting the outcome of one game. Betting on individual games is also more sustainable over the long term compared to parlays. 

If you must play parlays, opt for a 2-leg bet with a small percentage of your bankroll. The aim is to minimize risks as much as possible.

Common Mistakes to Avoid 

Betting can be addictive, and it's easy to lose control and neglect the basics. Here are the common mistakes to avoid.

• Betting every game: Betting on every game isn't ideal, even if you have a large bankroll. Adopt a more selective strategy by betting only on games that offer good value for your money.

• Lack of understanding of CFL-specific stats: CFL produces high-scoring games because of its volatility. Knowing this and other unique stats will help your betting decisions.

• Overbetting because of fan bias: Bettors who are also CFL fans may struggle to remain objective. We recommend avoiding betting on your favourite team.

• Chasing losses: Avoid chasing losses. Set a weekly or monthly budget and follow it. Remember, it's normal to win and lose in betting.

• Ignoring roster updates: Checking team news is essential for informed betting. An injury to a starting quarterback can impact the result of a game.

Best CFL Betting Tools & Resources

The increase in popularity of CFL has led to the rise of many CFL betting tools. Using these resources can enhance your research and, in turn, inform more informed betting decisions. 

Use some of the following tools.

• CFL.ca stats center: This platform provides up-to-date player statistics, game-by-game statistics, and in-depth analysis of each team.

• TSN CFL coverage: As the exclusive CFL broadcaster, TSN covers all games live across multiple platforms.   

• Canadian odds comparison tools: Platforms like OddsShark provide odds comparisons from various sportsbooks. It helps you identify the betting site offering the best odds.

• Follow CFL insiders on X (Twitter): CFL insiders have access to first-hand information on breaking news, injuries, team lineups, and betting trends. Following some of them on X will help you stay updated to make better betting decisions.

More Guides on Canadian Betting...

• https://www.livescore.com/en-ca/betting-sites/strategy/how-to-use-live-betting-to-your-advantage/

• https://www.livescore.com/en-ca/betting-sites/strategy/how-to-bet-on-international-sports-in-canada/

• https://www.livescore.com/en-ca/betting-sites/strategy/how-to-understand-betting-trends-for-canadian-teams/

Responsible Gambling 

One of the initial steps sportsbooks take to promote responsible gambling is to conduct verification checks. You must submit a copy of your government-issued ID to confirm your identity and age. All Canadian betting sites must ensure that all customers go through this process to prevent fraud and underage gambling.

Regulatory bodies also require that all licensed sportsbooks offer self-exclusion options, which allow players to take a break from betting. They may also implement deposit and loss limits to help players stay in control. Players experiencing gambling problems can contact GGTU, CAMH, OAMHP, and ConnexOntario.