How To Bet On Hockey

In every NHL matchup, there exists a concept known as The Favorite, which refers to the team perceived to have a higher likelihood of winning, alongside The Underdog, the team estimated to be less likely to secure the victory. When examining the betting lines for a given game, the negative number placed next to the favorite indicates the amount you must wager to win a set amount, typically $100. Conversely, the positive number listed next to the underdog shows how much you stand to win based on a $100 bet. Thus, betting on the favorite often results in a smaller payout compared to betting on the underdog, adding an exciting layer of strategy to your wagers.

Favorites Underdogs Hockey Sports Betting

In the example provided, Team 2 is designated as the favorite with a line of -275, while Team 1 is the underdog at +225. In the paragraphs that follow, we will delve deeper into the implications of these numbers and what they mean for your betting strategy and potential returns.

Types Of Hockey Bets

Money Line

One straightforward method to engage in NHL betting is through the Money Line, where you simply predict the outcome of the game by selecting the team you believe will emerge victorious. The numbers that indicate the favorite and underdog play a crucial role in determining your potential winnings. When placing a Money Line bet, the negative figure next to the favorite reveals how much you need to wager in order to win $100. Conversely, the positive figure next to the underdog outlines how much you could potentially win on a $100 bet. For instance, in our example, if you confidently believe that Team 2 will take home the win, you will need to put down $275 for a chance to win that $100. If you’re betting on Team 1 and they pull off the upset, your $100 bet would yield a return of $225, showcasing the risk-reward balance that dictates NHL betting.

So, based on the figures mentioned earlier, if you trust in the strength of Team 2 and decide to back them with your Money Line wager, you would need to stake $275 to see a profit of $100. On the other hand, if you decide to root for Team 1, the potential reward for your $100 wager would be a sweet return of $225 should they claim victory, highlighting the alluring nature of betting on underdogs.

Puck Line

While the Money Line is a popular betting choice, the Puck Line presents an alternative method of wagering in NHL contests. This bet, often referred to as the spread, allows you to wager on whether the favored team will win by at least two goals against the underdog. For example, if the final score reads Team 2 at 5 and Team 1 at 3, then betting on Team 2 -1.5 would result in a win because they not only won but also exceeded the required margin (5 – 1.5 > 3). However, should Team 2 win by a closer score of 3 -2, your wager would unfortunately lose, as the margin does not meet the necessary spread (3 – 1.5 < 2).

It’s also essential to note the number in parentheses next to the -1.5 or +1.5 figure, as it indicates the payout odds. For instance, if you see a line that reads (-110), that signifies you would need to place a $110 bet to win $100, adding another strategic element to your wagering decisions.

Over/Under

Another exciting way to place a bet on hockey is through the Over/Under, where you wager on the cumulative number of goals scored throughout the game, independent of who wins or loses. In this type of bet, you select whether you believe the total goals will be over or under a predetermined line, set by the bookmakers. If we take the earlier example, where the line is set at 6.5, if the final score sums to 7 or more, you would win your bet on the over. Over/Under bets not only enhance your engagement during a game but also provide an opportunity to participate in the action without focusing solely on which team will walk away victorious.

Player Props

Engaging in player prop bets adds an additional layer of excitement to any hockey game. With player prop bets, you can place wagers on individual players' performances, predicting whether they will achieve over or under specific statistical benchmarks. These benchmarks can include:

• Goals 
• Assists
• Points
• Shots On Goal

Example of Hockey Player Prop Bets

As illustrated above, you can see various prop bets for a player: Over/Under .5 goals scored, Over/Under .5 assists registered, and Over/Under .5 total points. These bets not only allow you to show your knowledge of the players but also keep you engaged with the action on the ice.

Game Props

Game Prop bets extend the thrill of hockey betting by allowing you to wager on various aspects of the game, such as determining which team will score first, which one will net more goals in the opening period, or even betting on whether the game will go into overtime. These bets can spice things up significantly, offering fans a chance to feel even more involved in the game.

The Grand Salami Bet

A legendary option in hockey betting circles, the Grand Salami enables enthusiastic gamblers to bet on the combined total goals across all games for a particular day. This all-encompassing over/under total provides a thrilling way to participate in the action, as payouts usually fluctuate between (-120) and (+105), influenced by factors like the teams on the ice, the goalies starting that day, and various other conditions that keep the betting landscape dynamic and competitive.

Regardless of whether you choose to place your bets in person at a bustling sportsbook or from the comfort of your own home using the Circa Sports app, you’ll find that Circa | Sports is your premier destination for engaging with the world of hockey betting. Join us and elevate your betting experience as you dive into the exhilarating action of NHL games.