Comparison of American and Canadian Football Betting: Which One Do You Prefer?

December 23, 2021 by Staff

The Gridiron football games played in the United States and Canada have a lot in common. Still, some key differences can significantly impact how you bet on the game. In American football, the team with the ball is trying to advance it down the field by running or passing, while in Canadian football, the team without possession tries to take it away from the other team. The differences do not mean that one is better than the other, but they can make a big difference in how you bet. Here are some of the most important things to consider when comparing Canadian football vs. American football.

Differences in Football Betting in The US and Canada

Any online casino in Canada can offer bonuses and rewards to their football fans to ensure that they all have a great time. You will also find free spins and deposit bonuses for Canadians on the internet.  The jackpot on American football is much bigger, and the odds are better. You can make a bet on the spread, on the money line, or on who will win the game. Parlay betting is also very popular in the American version.    

You can bet on who will score the first touchdown, the halftime score, and how many points both sides will combine for in the Canadian version. If you want to gamble on games like roulette or slots, you will find an online casino with a Canadian and American sportsbook. We recommend checking out a popular site for review.  

Field size

The field in Canadian football field is 110 yards long, while American football is 100 yards long. Precisely the CFL fields are 34% bigger than NFL fields.

It means that there are more opportunities to make big plays in Canadian football because there is more field on which to do so. As a result, the point spread for CFL games tends to be higher than for NFL games.

Goalposts

In American football, the goalposts are 18 feet 6 inches apart, while they are 23 feet apart in Canadian football. From those different distances come some differing strategies for kicking points after a TD and field goals and extra points. In American football, it is far easier to make field goals from inside 40 yards than in the CFL, so you would see more players trying field goals or point after touchdowns from close in.

Quarter length

The quarters in American football are shorter than in Canadian football, which can impact the strategies used by each team. In the CFL, teams have a bit more time to make moves, so there is more reliance on passing games; in the NFL, teams need to move the ball more quickly, leading to a greater reliance on running the ball.

Size of the Team

There are 12 players on the field in Canadian football and 11 players in American football. A key reason for this is that Canadian teams get four of the three downs required to move the chains, and American teams only get three. As a result, more big plays can happen in CFL games than NFL games because there are more chances to make them with only two downs needed to go 10 yards.

Kickoffs

One of the most significant differences between American and Canadian football is that there are no kickoffs in Canadian football. Rather than kicking off, teams must start with possession at their 35-yard line. As a result, you can expect fewer big plays coming from kickoff returns but might see more scores after turnovers because teams try to be more careful with the ball. The Canadian football ball is also slightly wider than the American one, affecting how well a kicker can boot the ball.

Field Goals

In CFL games, teams must have the ball at the line of scrimmage to attempt a field goal, while in NFL games, they can attempt them from anywhere on the field. It leads to a greater reliance on field goals in the CFL; since teams cannot just move the ball downfield by chucking it deep all the time, they need to be a bit more accurate to get points.

Timeouts

Teams in the CFL have three timeouts per half, while teams in the NFL have only two. It can lead to CFL teams using their timeouts more strategically, as they need to save them for later in the game when they might be down by a few points. Teams must start play within twenty seconds in CFL after the whistle blows to stop the clock, while NFL teams have forty seconds.

Penalties

Penalties are also called differently in the two leagues. There is a ten-yard penalty for a personal foul and five yards for other penalties in American football. There is a five-yard penalty for personal fouls and fifteen yards for all other penalties in Canadian football. As such, that CFL games can quickly turn into a mess of penalties, as teams try to take advantage of the long distances they have to work with.

Movements During a Snap

All offensive players must be stationary in American football before the ball is snapped for a full second. This rule does not exist in Canadian football to see more movement and misdirection from the offense. In CFL, players can move in any direction as long as they are behind the scrimmage line when the ball is snapped.

Conclusion

CFL betting is becoming increasingly popular in both Canada and America because of its unique approach to football. It does not mean that you need to bet on the CFL and not on the NFL or vice versa; instead, you can choose one that suits your betting style and your likes. Alternatively, you can find a great bookie that offers both American and Canadian football bets to access all of these resources.