Ice hockey may not be in the same league as football (pun intended), but it does enjoy a certain level of popularity. This is particularly true in North America and Europe.
In this article, we’ll explain hockey betting for beginners – how it works, what the odds mean, and what types of bets are used. You’ll also learn tips on how to apply the best hockey sports betting strategy.
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If you want the best hockey sports betting strategy that you can have, there are a few things that you’ll need to know first. In the following sections, we’ll go over the fundamentals of hockey betting for beginners.
The Odds
If you’ve lived for longer than a year or two, then you’ve heard the expression, “what are the odds”. Odds in the purest form, are simply the likelihood of something happening.
In betting, there are many different ways of expressing odds. We’re going to be looking at the American odds, which is what you’re most likely to encounter in hockey betting. For all you beginners out there, here’s a quick rundown:
American odds are expressed in terms of a $100 bet. The odds for the favorites are written with a minus sign. If they read -123, for example, then you would have to stake $123 to win $100. The odds for the underdogs are written with a positive sign and indicate how much you stand to win if you wager $100.
Types of Hockey Bets
When trying to create the best hockey sports betting strategy, you must know the kinds of bets that are available to you.
Ice hockey has many of the standard types of wager. However, the fact that it’s a niche sport, compared to football and basketball, means it has a few caveats. Hockey betting for beginners will be much simpler once you know what kinds of bets are used, so let’s get into it.
The Moneyline
Ice hockey enthusiasts know the hockey version of the moneyline bet as the ‘match result.’ You bet on which team you think will win, and claim your winnings if you’re right.
There’s a catch, though – in ice hockey, there are two different kinds of this bet. Hockey betting for beginners will seem confusing if you don’t understand this difference.
The first kind includes overtime and is straightforward, as we’ve just mentioned. The second kind of moneyline bet in ice hockey is called the ‘end of regulation match result.’
In the case of this bet, the victory only counts if it’s achieved within the 60 minutes regulation time. Even if your team wins in the overtime, you’ll lose your bet if they don’t succeed within the regulation time.
The Point Spread
When it comes to the point spread, hockey betting for beginners can appear more complicated than it is because, as with all things ice hockey, the point spread isn’t called the point spread. Instead, they’ve coined a different term, the ‘puck line,’ but this is essentially the same thing.
In a point spread, the bookmaker handicaps the favorite to place the underdog on equal footing. So, whichever team you bet on, the scores are equal. This means that your chosen team has to either win or lose by a specific number of points, which is equal for both sides.
If you bet on the puck line, you’ll see odds in the format of -1.5/+1.5 : favorite/underdog. 1.5 is the typical puck line value, but other numbers are also possible.
What the above puck line means is, if you bet on the underdog, they must not lose by two or more goals, or you’ll lose your wager. If you bet on the favorite, you lose your wager if they win by any less than two goals.
The Over/Under Bet
This hockey betting for beginners guide wouldn’t be complete without mentioning the over/under bet. Bookmakers set a number representing the total goals they expect to be scored. For example, if they expect one side to earn 23 goals and the other to make 20, they’ll set the number at 43.
You place your bets on whether the teams will earn a total score of more or less than the number set by the bookkeeper. If you’re correct, you win – it’s simple.
As with the money line, you can either bet, including or excluding overtime. If you bet and include the overtime, then you won’t win as much if your wager is correct. Yet, you’ll win even if your prediction is only realized during overtime.
The Legalities
Hockey betting, for beginners, must also be understood from a legal perspective. In the U.S., the laws on gambling are different for each state.
Before you can use the best hockey sports betting strategy, you’ll need to make sure that it’s legal to bet on sports where you live.
Just because a betting website lets you join, and accepts your wagers, doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s allowed in your state. Some sites might take bets from people who live in states where it’s prohibited, so it’s best to check your local state laws before joining.
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Choosing a Sportsbook or Bookmaker
Now that you’ve learnt how to bet on hockey, you’ll need a reliable sportsbook or bookmaker, but what does that mean, and what are you looking for? Here are some of the main points to get you started.
Regional Availability
It may be obvious, but it’s something that often slips through the cracks. Always check that your preferred sportsbook can legally operate in your area. You’ll usually find this information in their terms and conditions.
It’s your responsibility to ensure the bookmaker you use can operate in your area. Generally, a betting site is attentive to this fact, but sometimes someone will slip through the cracks. You might even be allowed to deposit funds, but when the time comes to withdraw your winnings, it could be impossible to do so. It’s one of the reasons why bookmakers require identity verification.
Betting Options
Ice hockey is less popular than mainstream sports, so you want to choose a sportsbook that has a decent variety of hockey betting options.
While you’re unlikely to find one that centers mainly around this sport, there are still many operators with a focus on ice hockey. Also, look at whether they have your preferred type of bet.
Promotions, Sign Up Offers & Banking Options
Of course, if you’re going to be signing up with a sportsbook, bookmaker, or gambling operator, you’ll want one that gives you the most bang for your buck. Many sportsbooks offer no-deposit and sign-up bonuses.
Although these vary, sign-up bonuses typically double your initial deposit. No-deposit welcome offers, on the other hand, give you real money to play with before you’ve made a deposit. It’s worth your while to look for the best sign up offers, but be sure to read the terms and conditions carefully.
The last thing to consider is the withdrawal and deposit options. Naturally, you’d want a bookmaker with your preferred payment method.
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Conclusion
We hope that our hockey betting for beginners’ guide has set you up to streamline and apply your best hockey sports betting strategy at any of the
No.1 bookies. As you can see, once you know the basics, it’s something that everybody can do.
With all sports including hockey betting, for beginners and pros alike, it ultimately boils down to knowing what bets to place and making informed betting decisions.
However, before you can do any of this, you’ll need to check your state laws and find a sportsbook that caters to your needs. With the help of our strategy guides, you’ll be well on your way to joining the exciting world of hockey betting.
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