Single-Game Betting Canada 2025: How to Bet on Single Game & My Handpicked Selection of Sportsbooks

Last Updated on 05/09/2025
Fact checked by: Julia Anderson

Are you tired of sweating out every leg of your parlay, only to get heartbroken at the last second? Then you are in luck because single-game sports betting in Canada is now available for rabid sports fans.

With single-game sports betting, you’ll no longer have to worry about analyzing multiple events at once since your ultimate focus will be on one match. If you are as excited as I am at this thought, then keep scrolling, as I will discuss the particulars of single-game sports betting, its advantages, strategies, and how you can get started.

⚡ Explore the Best Single-Game Betting Operators in Canada for 2025

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⭐ What is single game sports betting?

As the name suggests, single game sports betting is when you place a bet on the outcome of just one game or event instead of combining multiple selections into a parlay. This type of betting is straightforward, as you only need to predict the result of a single matchup rather than multiple outcomes.

This is definitely a game-changer for Canadians who previously were only allowed to place parlay bets at Canada betting sites. Thanks to Bill C-218, Canadian punters can now place bets on single games, giving them more control and flexibility than before.

Considering Canada’s strong sports culture, the legalization of single game sports betting is a welcome development for everyone, especially lesser-known sports and leagues. Niche sports such as horse racing gain recognition worldwide since bettors research stats and analysis, increasing the popularity of horse betting in Canada.

⚖ Pros and cons of single game sports betting

Single game sports betting in Canada is becoming more popular than ever thanks to its array of advantages. However, like everything else, there are potential downsides to single game sports betting that you should be aware of to ensure an enjoyable betting experience.

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Single game sports betting: Pros & cons
  • More control over your bets
  • Live betting opportunities
  • Lower variance
  • Risk management
  • Higher juice on some markets

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🚀 Types of single game sports bets

🎲 Types of Single Game Sports Bets 📌 Example
Moneyline Montreal Canadiens +200; Toronto Maple Leafs -150 – A win by the Canadiens will net $200 for every $100 bet, while a $100 wager will net $167 if the Maple Leafs win.
Spread Bets Phoenix Suns -5.5; Utah Jazz +5.5 – Suns must win by six points or more while Jazz must not lose by six points or more.
Over/Under Total Kansas City Chiefs vs Denver Broncos O/U 36.5 – The over hits if the combined score at the end of regulation is 37 points or more.

If you have been fed the notion that parlay bets are the only way to bet, then you are missing out on plenty of opportunities. Whether you love basketball or NHL betting in Canada, here are the types of single game sports bets you can place right now.

💵 Moneyline

Moneyline betting is perhaps the simplest type of single game sports bet where you pick a team or player to win outright. Depending on the odds type you choose, lines are often expressed in positive and negative values. Negative indicates the favorite while positive is the underdog.

For example, in an NHL game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Toronto Maple Leafs where the former is +200 underdog and the latter is a -150 favorite. In this case, a $100 bet on the Canadiens will have a potential payout of $200 while a $100 bet on the Maple Leafs will potentially net you $167.

📏 Spread Bets

Also known as puck line betting in hockey, spread bets is when you wager on a margin of victory that a team must cover for the bet to win. For example, the Phoenix Suns are -5.5 favorites versus the Utah Jazz. In this scenario, the Suns will need to win by six or more points for the bet to hit.

On the flip side, Jazz backers will only need Utah to not lose by six points or more to get their payout. What I love about spread bets is they even out the playing field since odds are usually -110 on both sides, meaning a $110 bet will potentially win you $100.

🔢 Over/Under Total

Over/Under Total betting is when you wager on whether the combined score of both teams or players will be over or under based on the number set by your sportsbook. For example, the NFL matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Denver Broncos has the total set at O/U 36.5.

If the final score is Chiefs 20, Broncos 17 and you wagered on the over, then your bet hits because the total is 37. However, if you bet on the under, you’ll need the final total score between two squads to be 36 points or less for your bet to win.

Besides these three, other types of single game sports bets include player and team prop bets, live betting, Asian handicap, odd/even total, race to number of points or goals, and period, quarter, or half-specific bets. Alternatively, betting markets such as Both Teams to Score, Anytime Goalscorer, First Team to Score, Double Chance, and Correct Score also allow for single game sports bets.

🔑 Key advantages of single game sports betting in Canada

Now that the particulars of single game sports betting are out of the way, let’s talk about why it’s a draw on NFL betting sites in Canada or the Canadian sports market in general. If you have been too preoccupied with parlay bets, then we understand that single game sports betting might be foreign, but give this section a read and see why it might be a good option for you.

👌 Easy and straightforward

Like every sports bettor, I love to analyze games and break down nuances such as game strategies, player tendencies, and potential outcomes to gain an edge over bookmakers. But as much as I love doing it, that doesn’t take away from the fact that analyzing multiple games can get tiring because you’ll have to track multiple teams or players simultaneously.

That, however, is not the case with single game betting in Canada. With single game sports betting, you’ll only need to focus on one event. This makes the research process more manageable as you only need to assess two competing teams or players. In doing so, you can quickly identify trends and outcomes that could impact the game’s outcome.

💵 Promotes better bankroll management

If you have been following me for too long, then you know how much I emphasize the importance of bankroll management in sports betting. One thing that makes single game sports betting quite appealing is the fact that it makes bankroll management easier since you can apply fixed unit sizing.

This is the exact opposite of parlay bets, where the temptation to chase big payouts often leads to inconsistent unit betting. With single game sports betting, you can implement consistent stake sizing, which is essential in minimizing risk, controlling variance, and sustaining long-term profitability.

📺 Allows for live betting

Unlike parlay bets, which are often placed before the game starts, single game sports betting allows you to wager in the middle of the action. This is a huge advantage for punters, especially when it comes to F1 betting in Canada where momentum shifts happen more often than you realize.

While sportsbooks are quick, it often takes them time to react to momentum shifts. This means that watching the game unfold and placing a single game sports bet allows you to gain an edge before sportsbooks adjust. Although that might not seem like a big deal, adjusting your betting strategy mid-game allows you to exploit odds fluctuations and find a better value for the risk you are taking.

🔎 Easier to spot value

Value betting is another unique opportunity that single game sports betting provides to Canadian punters. Since you’re only dealing with one game, you can quickly find market inefficiencies, which is quite challenging with parlay bets, where every additional leg increases the risk of losing because of variance.

Moreover, single game sports betting also lets you compare odds across multiple sportsbooks quickly and find the best price. By finding the best price, you can reduce the house edge and maximize your profits while allowing opportunities for arbitrage betting.

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⚡ Effective single game sports betting strategies

Succeeding in single game sports betting requires a strategic approach. If you have been betting for far too long, then you know that public money often favours narratives instead of data. As a sharp bettor, you take advantage of this public bias to find value in overlooked lines. Here are several single game sports betting strategies I use to unlock value bets and reduce variance.

📉 Check line movement and public betting trends

Checking line movement and public betting trends is the first thing I do before placing a single game sports bet. Sportsbooks adjust lines based on a number of factors such as injuries, weather conditions, betting volume, and sharp money. Your goal here is to analyze how and why a line moves. As mentioned, the public tends to favor narratives without analysis.

For example, the Philadelphia 76ers might be more talented compared to the Utah Jazz with players such as former league Most Valuable Player Joel Embiid, Paul George, and Tyrese Maxey. However, when you look closely, the Jazz might have a slightly better chance of winning with several 76ers stars sitting out due to injuries. By analyzing how and why a line moves, you can create better betting angles and avoid overhyped lines.

📊 Use advanced metrics and data

If you are serious about single game sports betting in Canada, then there’s a good chance that a little part of you loves numbers. So, why not use your love for numbers to take advantage of advanced metrics and data when placing a wager? What I love about advanced metrics and data is the fact that it can help you uncover hidden value and ensure better risk management.

For instance, in the NBA, a team might have a strong win-loss record but when you look closely, you might find out that their offensive and defensive net ratings are mediocre at best. This means that they’ve won close games or had favourable luck. In cases like these, bookmakers might overvalue them, giving you an opportunity to take their opponents at solid odds.

💸 Stick to a flat betting strategy

Sometimes it can be tempting to go beyond what you can afford to bet, especially if you’ve done plenty of research and explored the tendencies of teams or players competing in a match. However, this is something you have to avoid because, regardless of how much research you’ve done, sports betting at its core is unpredictable, meaning upsets can always happen.

This is why I always recommend bettors, especially those who are starting out to stick to a flat betting strategy. A flat betting strategy is a strategic betting approach where you wager the same amount on every bet, regardless of the outcome. Doing so ensures you do not deplete your bankroll because of a losing streak while maintaining discipline and avoiding reckless decisions.

Of course, there are other strategies you can take advantage of to succeed in single game sports betting in Canada. In fact, you can even create your own strategy based on your past betting history. My only tip is to be selective and stick to your betting strategy. One thing I’ve noticed is that casual bettors often wager just to join in the action, which could come back and bite you in the bum if you’re not careful.

🤝 Wrapping up: Single game sports betting is changing the game in Canada

Single game sports betting has completely changed how passionate Canadian fans engage with sports betting. Unlike before, where Canadian punters were only limited to high-risk parlay bets, they now have more control over their bets, allowing them to research specific games or players and spot value quickly. However, it’s important to remember that just like other forms of sports betting, the key to staying ahead in single-game sports betting is understanding the game beyond the numbers, discipline, and smart bankroll management.

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❓ Single game sports betting FAQ

🏀 What is single game sports betting?

Single game sports betting is placing a wager on the result of a single event.

Canadians can place single bets on popular sports such as basketball, football, soccer, hockey, and tennis.

⚖️ How does single game sports betting differ from parlay betting?

Single game sports betting only lets you focus on one single event, while parlay betting requires all of your selections to win for the bet to pay out.

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