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Leagues Football - Canadian Football
Learn More About Canadian Football (Football)
The Canadian Football League (CFL) is Canada’s professional football league and one of the longest-running football leagues in North America. While similar to the NFL, it has different rules, a larger field, and a unique playoff system.
1. Overview of the CFL
- Founded: 1958
- Headquarters: Toronto, Canada
- Number of Teams: 9
- Season: June – November
- Championship: Grey Cup (November, equivalent to the Super Bowl in the NFL)
2. CFL Structure
A. CFL Teams & Divisions
The CFL has two divisions:
East Division
- Toronto Argonauts
- Montreal Alouettes
- Hamilton Tiger-Cats
- Ottawa Redblacks
West Division
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers
- BC Lions
- Saskatchewan Roughriders
- Calgary Stampeders
- Edmonton Elks
B. CFL Season Format
Regular Season (June – October)
- Each team plays 18 games over 21 weeks (with 3 bye weeks).
- Teams play mostly within their division, with some crossover games.
- The top teams qualify for the playoffs.
Playoffs (November)
- 6 teams qualify: The top 3 teams from each division.
- Crossover Rule: If the 4th-place team in one division has a better record than the 3rd-place team in the other division, they take that playoff spot.
- Format:
- Division Semi-Finals: 2nd vs. 3rd place teams in each division.
- Division Finals: Winner plays the 1st place team.
- Grey Cup Championship: East & West Division Champions play for the title.
Grey Cup (November)
- The CFL’s Super Bowl, first played in 1909.
- The biggest sporting event in Canada with a massive TV audience and halftime show.
3. How is the CFL Different from the NFL?
| Feature | CFL | NFL |
|---|---|---|
| Field Size | 110 yards long, 65 yards wide | 100 yards long, 53.3 yards wide |
| End Zones | 20 yards deep | 10 yards deep |
| Number of Downs | 3 downs per possession | 4 downs per possession |
| Number of Players | 12 players per team on the field | 11 players per team |
| Play Clock | 20 seconds | 40 seconds |
| Defensive Line Rules | 1 yard off the ball before snap | Directly at the line of scrimmage |
| Motion Rules | Multiple players can be in motion | Only 1 player in motion before snap |
| Overtime | Each team gets at least 1 possession | NFL OT has sudden death in regular season |
These differences make CFL games faster-paced and higher-scoring compared to the NFL.
4. How to Bet on the CFL
Betting on the CFL is similar to NFL betting, with moneyline, spreads, totals, and props. However, CFL games tend to have higher-scoring games and more unpredictable outcomes.
A. Common CFL Betting Types
1. Moneyline Betting (Winner of the Game)
- Pick the team that will win outright.
- Example:
- Toronto Argonauts (-150) vs. Winnipeg Blue Bombers (+130)
- A "-" (minus) means the favorite, and a "+" (plus) means the underdog.
- Bet $150 on Toronto to win $100.
- Bet $100 on Winnipeg to win $130 if they pull the upset.
2. Point Spread Betting (Winning Margin)
- Bet on a team to win by a certain number of points.
- Example:
- BC Lions -4.5 vs. Calgary Stampeders +4.5
- If you bet on BC (-4.5), they must win by 5+ points to cover.
- If you bet on Calgary (+4.5), they can lose by 4 or win outright for your bet to win.
3. Over/Under (Total Points Scored)
- Bet on the total combined points of both teams.
- Example:
- Over 51.5 (-110) / Under 51.5 (-110)
- If the final score is 35-24 (total = 59 points), the "Over" wins.
4. Prop Bets (Player & Team Stats)
- Betting on specific events within the game, like individual player performances.
- Examples:
- Zach Collaros Over 2.5 Passing Touchdowns (-120)
- First Team to Score: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (-110)
- Total Field Goals in Game: Over 3.5 (-105)
5. Parlay Betting (Multiple Bets Combined)
- Combine multiple bets for a bigger payout, but all must win.
- Example Parlay Bet:
- Toronto Argonauts -3.5 (-110) ✅
- Winnipeg Blue Bombers Moneyline (-150) ✅
- Over 51.5 (-110) ❌
- If one bet loses, the entire parlay loses.
6. Futures Betting (Season-Long Bets)
- Bets on season-long outcomes.
- Examples:
- Grey Cup Winner: Winnipeg Blue Bombers +350
- Most Regular Season Wins: Toronto Argonauts +400
- CFL MVP (Most Outstanding Player): Chad Kelly +700
B. Where to Bet on the CFL?
- Legal Sportsbooks (In Canada & Legal US States): FanDuel, Bet365, DraftKings, BetMGM
- Casinos & Sportsbooks in Canada
- Offshore or Illegal Bookmakers (Risky, Not Recommended)
C. CFL Betting Strategies & Tips
✅ Look at the weather conditions: CFL teams play outdoors, and bad weather can impact scoring.
✅ Consider the high-scoring nature of the CFL: More passing = more points.
✅ Check for short rest weeks: CFL teams sometimes play on 4-5 days’ rest, which affects performance.
✅ Bet early in the season carefully: New CFL players (especially American imports) take time to adjust to CFL rules.
✅ Follow CFL injuries closely: A quarterback injury can shift the odds significantly.
Final Thoughts on CFL & Betting
The CFL is a unique and exciting league, offering faster play, different rules, and high-scoring games. If you’re interested in betting, the CFL provides valuable opportunities due to less betting action compared to the NFL, meaning sportsbooks may have softer lines.