Canadian Football – How to Bet on CFL

Learn about betting on football in our neighboring country in the north!

This guide will, hopefully, go over all you need to know to start betting on CFL games. We’ll talk about how to make a betting plan, and give you some tips to make smarter bets over. 

A couple of notes before we start. The Canadian Football League runs from June to November, with teams competing for a shot at the Grey Cup, which is basically Canada’s version of the Super Bowl. The league moves pretty fast, with high-scoring games, a bigger field, and some other rules that separate it from the NFL.

Alright – without further ado –  let’s talk about how to bet on CFL games!

Understanding CFL betting odds

If you’ve bet on football before, the basics will feel familiar. 

As with all our betting guides, we’ll start by going over the the three main bet types—moneyline, point spread, and totals. These work the same way in CFL as in the NFL, but the scoring and style of play mean the numbers can look a little different.

A moneyline bet is the easiest to understand. You’re betting on which team will win outright, without worrying about point spreads. If the Toronto Argonauts are listed at -120 and the Montreal Alouettes are at +100, it means the Argonauts are slight favorites. You’d need to bet $120 to win $100 on them, while a $100 bet on the Alouettes would win you $100.

Point spreads make the game more even for bettors. If a team is listed at -1.5, they need to win by at least two points for your bet to hit. If a team is +1.5, they can either win outright or lose by just one point, and you’d still win your bet. The CFL’s wider field and higher-scoring games mean spreads can be different from what you’re used to in the NFL, so keep that in mind.

Betting the totals focuses on the total number of points scored in a game. If the total is set at 37.5 and you think both teams will combine for at least 38 points, you bet the over. If you expect a low-scoring game with 37 points or fewer, you take the under. 

Other ways to bet on the CFL

Futures bets let you bet on season-long outcomes before the season starts or while it’s underway. 

With these bets, you can try to predict who will win the Grey Cup, or which team will top their division, or who’ll be the MVP. The odds change throughout the season based on team performance, so betting early can sometimes get you better value.

Moving on to prop bets. Props focus on individual player performances or specific game events. Instead of betting on a team, you might bet on whether a quarterback will throw for more or fewer than 250 yards, if a running back will rush for over 75 yards, or how many receptions a wide receiver will make. 

Next: parlays. Parlays are a riskier but higher-paying option where you combine multiple bets into one. Instead of betting separately on three games, you roll them into a single bet. If all three bets hit, you win big, but if just one loses, the entire parlay is busted. Parlays can be tempting, but they aren’t easy to win consistently.

How to bet smarter on CFL games

Winning CFL bets isn’t just about picking favorites—it’s about finding the right value and knowing when to bet.

Understand the line movements

If you see odds shifting significantly before kickoff, there’s usually a reason. 

Maybe a key player is out, or sharp bettors have spotted an edge and are putting big money on one side. If a team moves from -3 to -5, it likely means the sportsbook is adjusting based on betting action. Paying attention to these changes can help you spot value before the odds move too far.

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Research the players

Doing your homework on teams and players makes a huge difference. Here in the US, the CFL doesn’t get as much media coverage as the NFL, but that means sportsbooks aren’t always as sharp with their lines. 

Keeping up with injuries, coaching strategies, and team trends – all of which can give you an advantage when betting. For example, certain teams play much better at home, while others struggle on long road trips. Some quarterbacks thrive against specific defenses. A little research can go a long way…

Keep track of your betting budget

Managing your bankroll wisely is one of the most important aspects of successful betting. If you don’t, you risk losing too much money, which is something we dont’ want. Betting is for fun – remember that, always. 

The CFL season is long, and going all-in on one weekend can wipe out your funds quickly. Set a betting budget, decide how much you’re willing to risk per game, and don’t chase losses. If you have a bad weekend, don’t double your next bet trying to win it all back—that’s a fast track to losing even more.

Bet with your mind, not your heart

Emotional betting is a common mistake. If you’re a big Saskatchewan Roughriders fan, you might be tempted to bet on them every week. But that doesn’t mean they’re always the best pick. It’s easy to let personal bias cloud your judgment, so be honest with yourself about whether a bet is based on logic or just wishful thinking.

Finally, track your bets

Tracking your bets can help you refine your strategy over time. Keep a simple record of how much you bet, which teams you picked, and whether you won or lost. 

Looking back at your bets can reveal a pattern: maybe you do well betting totals but struggle with spreads. The more data you collect on your betting habits, the better you can adjust and improve. 

More reading on this topic:

So, to sum it all up

CFL betting is fun, fast-paced, and full of opportunities if you know what to look for. Whether you’re betting on a single game, picking a Grey Cup winner, or diving into player props, understanding the odds and doing a little research can make a huge difference.

Instead of just picking winners, look for value, track line movements, and manage your bankroll smartly. Start with small bets, stay disciplined, and learn from your experiences. The more you follow the CFL, the sharper your bets will become.

And who knows? Maybe by the end of the season, you’ll be a CFL betting pro—or at least have a little extra cash in your pocket. 😉

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