The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Ice Hockey Betting
Man is watching ico hockey and is betting online via smartphone.
Few sports offer the same level of non-stop action, aggression, and entertainment that ice hockey manages to pack into a single 60-minute match. For die-hard fans, though, the chance to win some added cash by betting on a favorite team can amp up the fun and add layers of enjoyment. Of course, becoming a successful ice hockey bettor takes time and some dedication.
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Before you can start winning big, you’ll first have to find a quality online sportsbook that offers competitive odds on a range of betting lines. It also helps to learn more about the sport and to build a strategy that combines various types of bets.
To help you get started, we’ve compiled a guide to everything you’ll need to successfully bet on an ice hockey match. This guide will explain how ice hockey betting works, the most common betting lines, and how to read odds. We will also introduce a handful of the best online betting sites to get you started and discuss their many advantages.
How Ice Hockey Betting Works
Ice hockey betting is the act of predicting the outcome of an ice hockey match and placing a wager on the result. The sport of ice hockey is fast-paced and chaotic, making it an exciting option for sports bettors.
With 30 teams in the National Hockey League (NHL) and hundreds of games played each season, ice hockey betting offers ample opportunity to turn a profit. Bettors can wager on the winner of a single match, the Stanley Cup winner, or even which player will score the most goals in a season.
The Most Common Types of Ice Hockey Bets
With so much action in a single game, bettors can wager on a range of different options. The most common types of ice hockey bets include:
- Moneyline Bets: In hockey, a moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game. The team listed first is always the favorite and will feature negative odds, while the team listed second is always the underdog and will feature positive odds.
- Puck Line Bets: A puck line bet is similar to a moneyline bet, but with a point spread. The favorite will have to win by more than the specified number of goals, while the underdog can lose by less than the specified number of goals and still win the bet.
- Over/Under Bets: An over/under bet is a wager on whether the combined number of goals scored in a game by both teams will be over or under a certain number.
- Future Bets: Future bets are wagers placed on events that will take place at a later date, such as who will win the Stanley Cup or which team will have the most points at the end of the regular season.
- Prop Bets: A prop bet is a wager on something that may or may not happen during a game, such as whether a specific player will score a goal, the number of penalty minutes, or even whether there will be a fight.
By building a strategy that incorporates more than one type of bet, you can increase your likelihood of winning and tactically increase your profits.
The Best Online Ice Hockey Betting Sites
Now that you know how to read odds and select betting lines, you’re ready to register and start wagering online. To get the most out of the experience, we recommend finding a quality sportsbook with competitive odds on a wide range of markets, as well as lucrative bonuses and promotional content.
Yet, with so many options to pick from, it can be difficult to narrow the field. Below, we’ve compiled a list of the best ice hockey betting sites to get you started.
1. BetNow
BetNow is a leading online betting site with a range of markets for all of the top sports. When it comes to ice hockey, members can wager on puck spreads, moneylines, and even individual periods, giving plenty of opportunities to win big. The odds are all fairly balanced around the ±120 region, helping to increase payouts and new members automatically qualify for a 150% welcome bonus worth up to $300.
2. BetOdds.ag
BetOdds.ag is a growing sportsbook with a good selection of ice hockey markets. You can find all of the major tournaments covered, as well as a number of NHL and AHL games. The odds are slightly above average, with a lot of -105 and -110 moneylines on offer. Newcomers can also take advantage of a welcome bonus worth up to $300, which is released after their first $50 deposit.
3. BetOnline
BetOnline is one of the most popular sportsbooks in the industry. It has a massive range of markets for all major sports, including ice hockey. You can bet on anything from the Stanley Cup to international tournaments, with a number of added markets like puck lines and period betting also available. The site also offers a 50% welcome bonus of up to $1,000, which can be used on any sport.
4. BetUS
For anyone looking for a wide range of tournaments, games, and international events to bet on, you can’t go wrong with BetUS. This sportsbook offers a comprehensive list of betting markets, including the NHL, NCAA, IIHF, and the Stanley Cup. New members can also take advantage of a 125% welcome bonus on deposits up to $2,500, which is one of the most generous offers around.
5. Bovada Sports
Speaking of industry-leading sportsbooks, Bovada regularly competes with BetUS and other top options to offer the most profitable odds around. It’s also one of the few sites to offer European national leagues, such as Czech Extraliga Hockey, Swedish SHL, and the Champions Hockey League. The site also offers special bonuses for cryptocurrencies and a standard welcome bonus worth up to $250.
6. MyBookie
MyBookie is another top option for punters hoping to tap into the Eastern European market. Along with standard NHL lines, MyBookie specializes in a range of international betting markets across Russia, Slovakia, Belarus, Czechia, Finland, and Sweden. With such a range of options, members can bet throughout the year to make the most of their $1,000 welcome bonus.
7. Wagerweb
Wagerweb is a well-rounded sportsbook that offers a number of lucrative bonuses and promotions. New members can take advantage of a 100% welcome bonus on their first deposit, while reload bonuses of up to 30% are also available. The site offers a range of markets for all major sports, including ice hockey, with a number of added markets like puck and period betting.
8. Xbet
Xbet offers a decent number of betting lines for NCAA hockey, as well as lines for Finnish and Swedish hockey but it mainly focuses on NHL hockey. Members can bet within conferences and divisions, as well as on futures for the Stanley Cup and other major upcoming events. When you register, you can also benefit from a valuable $500 welcome bonus.
9. GTBets
GTBets is a reliable sportsbook with a number of promotions and bonuses to keep members coming back. Along with a 100% welcome bonus of up to $500, members can also benefit from reload bonuses and occasional free bets for NFL, NHL, and NBA games. The site offers a good selection of markets for all of the major sports, with a number of added markets for ice hockey.
Summary
Whether you’re a casual fan or a die-hard supporter, betting on ice hockey can add an extra layer of enjoyment to the sport. The key to winning is a well-developed betting strategy that makes the most of the lines and odds on a quality sports betting site. Before you get started, check out the platforms listed above and take time to hone your knowledge.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does moneyline mean in ice hockey betting?
In ice hockey, a moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game outright, regardless of the final margin.
Does overtime count in ice hockey betting?
Any bet you place on an ice hockey game will include overtime unless the sportsbook specifically states overwise.
After all, overtime affects the outcome of the game and can be a deciding factor in who wins.
Is ice hockey a good bet?
Although hockey doesn’t attract as many punters as the NFL or MLB, it’s still an incredibly fun sport to bet on, especially if you’re a fan.
The payouts may be lower but there’s never a shortage of possible betting lines to increase your profits.
Do ice hockey games draw?
No, NHL hockey games cannot end in a draw.
If the two teams are tied at the end of the hour, they’ll enter a 5-minute overtime period, followed by a shootout if no one scores. This way, there will always be a guaranteed winner.
How do you win in ice hockey?
The object of the game is to score goals by shooting a hard rubber puck into the opponent's net.
The team with the most goals at the end of an hour wins the match.
What is the best ice hockey prediction site?
Although there are plenty of sites offering guaranteed predictions, there isn’t enough data available to make a surefire assumption about which team will win.
However, if you opt to use a prediction site, we recommend finding an option that bases its predictions on mathematical predictions such as Vegas Oddsmaker.