Whether you want to bet on hockey online or at a bookie in any town, we have you covered. Here are the hockey betting basics that you need to know.
Sports Betting Tips: How to Bet on Hockey
Contents
The Hockey Sports Betting Basics
Whether you want to bet on hockey online or at a bookie in any town, we have you covered. Here are the hockey betting basics that you need to know.
Different Types of Ice Hockey Bets
Moneyline Bets
The most common type of hockey bet is the moneyline bet. This is simply a bet on which team will win the game. The odds will be listed as either a positive or negative number. A negative number indicates how much money you need to bet to win $100. A positive number indicates how much money you will win if you bet $100.
For example, let’s say the Chicago Blackhawks are playing the Colorado Avalanche and the moneyline is listed as follows:
Chicago Blackhawks -200
Colorado Avalanche +170
This means that you would need to bet $200 on the Blackhawks to win $100. If you bet $100 on the Avalanche, you would win $170.
Puck Line
Many bettors wager on something called the Puck Line, or the spread. In this bet, you can wager on whether you think that the total number of goals scored by the favorite will be at least two more than the total of goals scored by the underdog. The odds on the Puck Line bet are usually listed at -1.5/+1.5.
Let’s say you have the following Puck Line:
Chicago Blackhawks -1.5 (+170)
Colorado Avalanche +1.5 (-200)
This means that if you bet $100 on the Blackhawks, you would need them to win by at least two goals in order for you to win your bet. If they won by just one goal, or if they lost the game, you would lose your bet. On the other hand, if you bet $100 on the Avalanche, they could lose by one goal and you would still win your bet.
Over/Under bets
You can also place a wager on the total number of goals scored in a game, regardless of who wins or loses. In an Over/Under bet, you simply pick whether you think the total number of goals is over or under the predetermined line. The odds will be listed as either a positive or negative number, similar to the Moneyline bet.
For example, if the total goals for a game is listed as 5.5, and you think there will be more than 5.5 goals scored, you would bet on the “over.” If you think there will be less than 5.5 goals scored, you would bet on the “under.”
Player Prop bets
You can place Player Prop bets, where you bet on one specific player’s over/under for goals, assists, points, shots on goal, or a number of other stats.
Future bets
With hockey, you can also place what is called a future bet. A future bet is a wager you make on an event that will take place at some point in the future. For example, you could place a bet on which team will win the Stanley Cup before the playoffs even start. The odds for these types of bets are usually quite high, since there is a lot of uncertainty.
The Grand Salami
An institution in hockey gambling, the Grand Salami, is the ultimate way to bet on NHL games. It’s an over/under total goals bet for a day’s entire slate of games.
For example, let’s say the Grand Salami for a day is listed as 40.5. You could bet on the over, meaning you think the total goals scored in all games that day will be 41 or more. Or you could bet on the under, meaning you think the total goals scored will be 40 or less.
The Grand Salami is a fun bet to make with friends, and it’s also a good way to hedge your bets if you’ve made some individual game wagers that you want to protect
Live / In-Game Betting
Live betting is becoming increasingly popular in hockey. With live betting, you can bet on games while they are being played. The odds will change as the game goes on, based on what is happening in the game. This allows you to get in on the action even if you missed the beginning of the game.
Hockey Betting Tips
Now that you know the basics of hockey betting, here are a few tips to help you make winning bets:
- Hockey is a fast paced sport with a lot of scoring chances. As a result, the final score can be close even if one team dominates the game. Don’t get discouraged if your team is losing after two periods, they could still come back to win the game;
- Pay attention to line changes. Hockey teams have four lines of forwards that they rotate throughout the game. Some lines are better than others, and you can use this to your advantage when placing bets. If a team’s top line is on the ice, they are more likely to score than if their fourth line is out there;
- Don’t get too cute with your bets. Hockey is a unpredictable sport, and even the best teams can lose to the worst teams on any given night. Stick to betting on the favorites, and don’t try to pick too many upsets;
- Pay attention to injuries. Hockey teams are often forced to play with short benches, especially if they have a lot of injuries. This can lead to fatigue, and it can also make it difficult for a team to match up against their opponents . If a team has a lot of injuries, it’s best to avoid betting on them;
- Hockey is a notoriously streaky sport. A team can go on a hot streak and win several games in a row, or they can go cold and lose several games in a row. Pay attention to how teams are playing before.
Now that you know the hockey betting basics, you’re ready to start placing your bets! Good luck!
Noah Belanger is a seasoned sports bettor with a decade of experience in the industry. He is the driving force behind the test reports and strategies on the LoonieBet Blog. With a unique perspective, Noah writes from the player's point of view, offering firsthand insights and expertise to help readers make informed decisions.
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