The NHL has long been considered the fourth-best sport when it comes to ratings, provided in the United States. However, this does not mean you as a bettor can not benefit from the action.
Indeed, hockey provides some of the more interesting betting angles to choose from and leads us to being profitable from the games. As with any sports betting method you choose, this guide will help you find the right way for you.
Hockey, to me, is much more engaging to watch in person than on television. You almost miss some of the finesse and technique it takes to go to work out there because the TV cannot cover it all at once.
However, we still have access to stats and live events to get us through a betting strategy. The five best tips for how to bet on hockey are:
Finding the right sportsbook can sometimes be a challenge. This does not have to be if you can narrow it down to a few selections.
First, check the reviews of each one you find and see how it compares to the next you find. Second, see how one pays out versus another leading one. Third, find out if any other features make that sportsbook stand out above the rest.
Remember never to give out your personal information such as social security number, banking number, or routing number. Unless the site is legit, most times, they only use a credit card or make deposits to a PayPal or other reputable bank.
If you are new to sports betting but are familiar with hockey, this should be a time to do more research. Once you think you have found the right sportsbook or two, and if you do not want to lose money, try taking your time with your bets.
Find an event that you want to bet on and then write down your prediction. Once the event has ended or the specific line you bet on passes, compare your results, and see how you did. This way, you get a feel for what you are going to be getting into as a sports bettor.
As with your practice method above, you also want to know what your financial situation is. Most people want to jump right into an event because they have a good feeling or think they know 100 percent that Team A is going to win or lose.
The truth is, you never truly know what is going to happen. You can only guess based on stats and other features that are out of your control. So, be prepared to lose money first and get the right mindset to control your betting methods.
Hockey has a few different ways available to place bets. There are two that are popular for you to know how to read hockey odds. Those two are single-game moneyline bets and totals bets.
Moneyline hockey bets are where you place a bet on whoever you think the winner is going to be. This is one of the most straightforward betting options that NHL betting has to offer.
When it comes to totals betting, you are placing a bet on whether the score of the game will be over or under a certain amount. For example, if you have two teams competing and you see a total score bet of 5.5, this means that you are betting that the overall score of both teams combined will be at least six goals or higher.
If you choose the under, you are betting that the score will be five or lower.
Once you have everything set up and ready to go for your bets, I would take a look at anything else that could alter your chances. Whether it is an illness, injury, or a new coach, this could change the way your team operates.
This is also another opportunity to make sure you have done your research process. Nothing worse than making a pick and then come to find out, your team traded away its Hall of Fame goalkeeper for a guy that allows three goals a game because you forgot to look it up.
The moneyline will often be shown as something like this:
If you bet $175 on Team A and they win, you will win $100. This is considered the favorite due to the minus sign.
If you bet $100 on Team B and they win, you will get $150. They are considered the underdog, so the payout risk is adjusted. Teams with the plus sign are considered the underdog.
Winning money betting on hockey will take practice and persistence. With the steps outlined in this guide, you will be able to make sound bets without blowing your bank account or getting frustrated.
When betting on the puck line, you will be taking the favorite to win by two or more goals. If it is any other outcome, then the underdog covers and they win the bet. For example:
Team A has to beat Team B by at least two goals for you to win the puck line bet. If you chose Team B, they would have to win outright or only lose by one goal.
Photo Credits: ELSA / GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA / Getty Images via AFP
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