Learn the Fundamentals of Ice Hockey Betting

The ice is slick, pucks fly through the air, and the suspense is palpable. Ice hockey is a sport of brute force and stunning finesse. But beyond the thrill of the game itself, there is another component. And it is every bit as exciting as the game itself. Sports betting is a part of the sport as well. But it is fueled by strategy, research, and the enticing possibility of a massive return.

This ice hockey betting guide will give you the knowledge to familiarize yourself with the basics of this fast-moving sport. With the right information backing you, you have the confidence to place smart bets and possibly earn some lucrative dividends and find hockey betting sites.

You can also use our ice hockey predictions to improve your chances of winning and make a potentially winning bet. 

How to Bet on Ice Hockey?

Betting on hockey is no different from betting on any other sport. It is a matter of placing a bet on the result of a bout or on the occurrences of certain events during the match. There are several avenues where you can access such services:

Online sportsbooks. These are websites dedicated to sports betting action. These sites offer a comprehensive range of hockey markets, spanning games from all the major leagues and even niche tournaments. This diversity ensures that hockey enthusiasts with differing experience levels and risk tolerances have suitable options to match their interests and finances.

Retail sportsbooks. Some sports bars and casinos have retail outlets where you can place bets in person. This option offers a more traditional and social atmosphere, with the option to chat with other bettors and watch the games live. Retail dealers may offer fewer types of bets than online options but offer a simple and fun option for individuals who prefer live betting in person.

Getting Started:

• Choose a Trustworthy Bookmaker. Look for one that's licensed and regulated in your area.
• Open an Account. Most sportsbooks request straightforward information like your name, email, and valid ID.
• Deposit Money. Choose a payment method convenient for you (credit card, bank transfer, etc.) and put money into your account.
• Familiarize Yourself with the Markets. Get used to the numerous available hockey game betting markets.
• Place Your Bets. Select your bet, enter the stake, and accept your bet.

What to Look For:

User-Friendly Interface. A sportsbook should be easy to navigate, with bets and odds laid out clearly.

Competitive Odds. Compare payout coefficients among operators to ensure you're getting the best value for your stake.

Bonuses and Promotions. Welcome bonuses and follow-up promotions are offered by most bookmakers in a bid to attract new customers.

Secure Platform. Look for a bookmaker with strong security measures to protect your financial and personal information.

For US-based players, checking out bookmaker bonuses is just as vital. From welcome bonuses to risk-free bets and deposit match promotions, understanding which sportsbooks provide the best offers can really maximize your betting experience. Take a look at our in-depth US Bookmaker Bonus Rankings for a current snapshot of the best promotions currently available nationwide.

What Is a Real-World Example of a Hockey Bet?

Take, for example, a competitive NHL matchup between the Fearsome Florida Panthers (-250) and the Mighty Anaheim Ducks (+200). The Panthers are the underdogs, and the Ducks are the favorites.

Here's how the odds work:

Anaheim Ducks (+200). A positive number means that if you bet $100 on the Ducks and they win, you'll receive $200 plus your original bet, for total proceeds of $300.
Florida Panthers (-250). The minus sign means you have to wager $250 to win $100 if the Panthers are victorious. 

The underdog is the Ducks, who are not expected to win but would pay off a victory handsomely. The Panthers are the favorite and most likely to win, but the payoff is not as big.

What Are the Most Popular Types of Hockey Bets?

Hockey is a contact speed sport. Matches are contested on an ice rink where two teams of typically six skaters try to get a small rubber disc or puck into the opposite goal by using hooked or angled sticks. It is a physical game full of roughness and tactical maneuvering, and it is a suspenseful event to watch.

This excitement paves the way for gambling, as enthusiasts can wager on various aspects of the game. Numerous options are available in this market. It is essential to learn about the common types of hockey bets to make intelligent choices and perhaps improve your chances of winning.

Moneyline: Picking the Winner

The simplest bet in hockey is a moneyline. Here, you simply choose which team you think will be a winner of the game. The odds are determined by the bookmaker and are represented by plus (+) or minus (-) numbers.

These numbers are the estimated chances of each team winning. The minus sign indicates that the team is a favorite and that you'll need to bet a larger amount in order to win a lesser amount. The plus sign is assigned to an underdog team, and you'll get a larger payout for a lesser bet.

Spread / Puck Line: With a Handicap

Puck lines, or spreads, impose a handicap on a hockey game by predicting the margin of victory. 

If you bet on the favorite (negative odds), they must win by more than the specified number of goals. 

If you bet on the underdog (positive odds), they must either win outright or lose by less than the specified number of goals.

The most common handicap is 1.5 goals, reflecting the typical low-scoring nature of the ice-rink sport. But it may vary for games with an outright favorite.

Totals: Wagering on the Total Score

A total (also known as an over/under) is a betting strategy where you wager on the combined number of points scored by the two teams in a game.

For example, if a tournament total is 5.5, a bet on the "over" means you believe both teams will combine to score 6 goals or more. A bet on the "under" means you believe they will combine to score 5 goals or less.

Prop Bets: Betting on Special Events

Propositions are like side bets in the primary sports contest. Instead of picking the winner of the bout, you try to foresee some things that will happen within the action. Propositions come in two categories:

Player Props. These are predictions on how individual players will perform in a contest. You can bet on how goals a hockey player scores or how shots an opponent will block in a match.

Game Props. Here you try to forecast what occurs in a contest regardless of the winner. Who hits the initial goal in the match? Will there be an overtime period?

Will there be a shootout? These are typical options for game prop wagers.

Accumulator: Boosting Your Payout with Multiple Bets

An accumulator or parlay combines a number of game predictions into one. This can be a way to turn a small stake into a massive jackpot if you get your cards right! The key is the compounding effect – the more selections you include, the higher the odds increase, leading to potentially huge payouts.

Yet the parlay's attraction is also its caveat: all selections must win. One mistake, one loss, and the entire parlay falls apart. It's a high-risk, high-reward proposition.

Futures: Placing Long-Term Wagers

Futures are placed on events that occur in the future, such as predicting which team will win a championship or which player will win the scoring title. Futures bets typically offer higher potential payouts, but they are more risky because of the longer time frame.

Live/In-Play: Capitalizing on Real-Time Action

Live or in-play props allow you to place bets while a game is in progress. This interactive form of sports betting enables you to react to the ebbs and flows of the action. Bookmakers will move their odds based on what is occurring in the moment. This can create opportunities for sharp punters to take advantage of sudden reversals in momentum. For example, if a side scores an early goal, the odds may change drastically, and you can place a bet on the underdog at a more favorable price.

Derivatives: Betting on Beyond the Score

Derivatives depend on the result of other occurrences within the game, rather than the final score. A few examples include wagering on which player is going to score the initial goal, the number of goals scored in a period, or even the number of penalty minutes a team is going to get. Derivatives can make available an enormous number of unique markets, although not all bookmakers are eager to offer this form of sports betting.