How To Bet on Hockey: NHL Betting Guide and Tips
In This Guide:
Types of NHL Bets Available Online
There are many types of NHL bets available, from simply wagering on which team will win to more complex betting on in-game events. This section explains how to read NHL hockey betting lines for each type of bet.
NHL Moneyline Bets
A moneyline bet is a wager on which team will win the game outright, with betting odds based on each team’s expected chances to win.
Puck Line Bets
A puck line is a 1.5-goal handicap, with the underdog receiving 1.5 goals and the favorite giving up 1.5 goals.
Everygame Sportsbook has a simple interface that works great on mobile devices. It’s a great option for NHL betting on standard odds like puck lines on the go.
NHL Over/Under (Totals) Bets
A wager on a hockey total is a bet on whether the combined score between the two teams in a game will go over or under a posted total.
NHL Parlays
A parlay combines multiple bets into one, with the stipulation that every bet added must win for the parlay to be successful. This high-risk, high-reward hockey betting wager comes with far greater potential payouts than individual bets.
BetUS Sportsbook offers a large selection of parlays, including same-game parlays, which combine multiple outcomes from one game into a parlay.
NHL Futures Bets
A future bet is a wager on a future event, such as the winner of the Stanley Cup or Pacific Division. There are a number of NHL futures betting markets to keep bettors engaged all season long.
BetOnline Sportsbook delivers a large selection of future bets at competitive prices.
NHL Prop Bets
Another way to bet on NHL games is through proposition bets that take place on specific events within a game and are not necessarily tied to the outcome of the game.
SportsBetting.ag has a props builder page that makes it quick and convenient to navigate the various prop bets available on the day’s NHL games.
NHL Live Betting
When you’re learning how to bet on hockey we recommend trying betting on live games. Live betting allows NHL fans to bet in real-time, with the odds constantly updating based on what’s happening in the game.
MyBookie is our top-rated sportsbook for live betting on the NHL due to its variety of live lines, reduced vig and easy-to-use interface.
NHL Correct Score Bets
Correct score bets are a type of prop bet in which you can bet on score-related outcomes.
Period Bets
Period bets work the same way as moneylines, puck lines, and totals when it comes to how to bet on the NHL, but only for a single period rather than the whole game. First period bets are available before the game, while you can make second and third period bets during intermissions.
Grand Salami Bets
When you’re betting NHL games, a unique option is the grand salami bet, a prop bet that combines all the day’s action into one event, separated by home teams and road teams.
Bovada Sportsbook excels on this prop, giving bettors the chance to bet the grand salami with a moneyline, puck line, or total.
Expert Tip:
Sign up for more than one online sportsbook to take advantage of the various welcome offers. In addition, you’ll have more NHL betting lines across each book to choose from daily. Comparing lines and consistently betting on your sides at the best price helps to save money on losses and make more on wins in NHL betting.
NHL Betting Guide for Live Betting
Hockey is a game of ebbs and flows. The attacking team can become the defending team in a matter of seconds. This back-and-forth nature of the sport makes live betting an absolute thrill.
NHL betting strategies for live betting can ensure you’re ready to make split-second decisions during the action.
1. Understand the Game Dynamics
The dynamics of an NHL game are consistently changing based on factors like the score and how much time remains. For example, a superior team up one goal in the second period will try to attack on offense to extend its lead. Meanwhile, that same team up four goals in the third period will likely be content to play defensively to secure the win.
Understanding how NHL teams play in different situations will help inform your live betting decisions.
2. Stay Informed (Watch the Games!)
The box score never tells the entire story of how a game unfolded. A 2–0 win could be the result of a dominating defensive effort or a couple of lucky bounces. We recommend watching as many games as you can.
By familiarizing yourself with teams and players, you can spot value that bettors who only look at the stat sheet might have missed.
3. Look For Value Bets
Live betting gives you access to dozens of prop bets with rapidly adjusting odds on every NHL game. With so many options to choose from, there’s no need to place bets that you aren’t getting a good price on.
Remember to be selective and to wait for the right price before locking in your wager.
4. Bet on Momentum Swings
How many times have you seen a team winning by two or three goals go on to lose the game due to the other team making a spirited comeback? Momentum plays a big role in hockey games, and you can take advantage of momentum swings thanks to live betting.
Try taking a shot on a trailing team if you see the tides turning in real time.
Best NHL Betting Site for Beginners
BetUS is our top choice for players who are new to hockey betting. You can find NHL betting lines for all the games, including competitive futures like the Stanley Cup Final and tons of prop options. The BetUS TV and Locker Room sections provide free NHL picks and analysis, which is perfect when learning how bet on hockey. With a generous welcome bonus, BetUS is an easy selection for any bettor that wants to get their hands on up-to-date NHL odds and bets.
How To Bet on NHL Games
When you are ready to place bets on hockey, follow the easy step-by-step guide below to get started.
Consider our recommendations and your personal preferences to choose an online hockey sportsbook to sign up for.
When you’ve made your choice, open that page and click or tap on the “Join” button, which is usually located in the top right corner. For example, at BetOnline, you will find a bright green “Join Now” button. Fill out the form with your personal information including your name, email address and date of birth.
After completing your registration, the page will prompt you to make a deposit, which you can also do from the “Cashier” page. Remember to select or opt in to your welcome bonus before completing your first deposit to ensure that it will be active. Complete the deposit form with your preferred banking method and the amount you want to deposit.
Once you have finished funding your account, you’ll be ready to place NHL bets. Navigate to the NHL section using your sportsbook’s menu. Using BetOnline as an example, click “Sports” and then “Hockey” to reveal the “NHL Hockey Game” tab.
Make your selection by clicking or tapping on the side you want to wager on. For example, in the Toronto Maple Leafs (+112) vs Florida Panthers (-126) game, click on the “+112” next to Toronto if you want to bet the Maple Leafs on the moneyline.
The team or prop you select will appear on your bet slip. Type in the amount you want to risk or win, check it for accuracy, and then click the “Place Your Bet” button. Doing so will lock in the first wager on your hockey betting card.
Responsible Gambling
We encourage all players to gamble responsibly. Remember that betting on NHL games is a form of entertainment, not a source of income. Set loss limits and time limits. Budget your bankroll ahead of time to avoid losing more than you can afford to. Keeping these tips in mind will help you have fun and remain a responsible gambler.
If you are over-preoccupied with thoughts about gambling or exceed your budget regularly, you might benefit from some help. Consider the resources below if you recognize the warning signs and symptoms in yourself or a loved one:
- National Council on Problem Gambling: (202) 547-9204 or NCPGambling.org
- AGA Responsible Gambling Code of Conduct (as supported by the NBA)
- Gamble Responsibly America App (downloadable)
- Gambler’s Anonymous: gamblersanonymous.org/ga/
- Responsible Gambling Council: https://responsiblegambling.org/
Key Takeaways: How To Bet on Hockey
This NHL betting guide covers the basics of how to bet on hockey. We have given you a walkthrough of all the NHL bet types, from puck lines through to grand salamis. We have also shown you how to sign up online to bet on NHL, from picking a site, making a deposit, choosing your bet and making a wager amount.
More advanced players will benefit from our live hockey betting tips such as watching games and betting on the flow and momentum swings. Don’t forget to check out the other NHL betting resources on this page for even more hockey betting tips.
We recommend BetUS as our top NHL betting site for beginners, thanks to its free NHL analysis. Sign up today for a generous 125% up to $2,625 welcome bonus.
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