Betting Strategy Guide
How to Bet on Hockey
Key takeaways
- The moneyline is the most popular hockey bet, and in most moneyline markets overtime and the shootout count.
- The puck line is hockey's point spread, usually set at 1.5 goals, so the favorite at -1.5 must win by two goals or more.
- A regulation-time, or three-way, bet is settled after 60 minutes, so a tie at the end of the third period is its own outcome.
To bet on hockey, you usually pick the winner on the moneyline, take a side on the puck line or bet the total goals. Before you bet, check whether the market is settled after 60 minutes or includes overtime and the shootout, because that changes which results win.
The main hockey bets
| Market | What you bet on | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Moneyline | The winner, usually including overtime and shootout | Favorite -150, underdog +130 |
| Puck line | A margin of 1.5 goals | Favorite -1.5 at +170 |
| Total | Combined goals | Over/under 6.5 |
| Regulation (three-way) | The result after 60 minutes, tie included | Favorite +105, tie +300, underdog +220 |
Regulation time vs. overtime
In the regular season, a game tied after 60 minutes goes to overtime and, if still tied, a shootout; playoff games keep playing overtime until a goal is scored. Say the favorite is -150 on the moneyline and +105 to win in regulation. A $150 moneyline bet wins $100 if the team wins, overtime and shootout included; the price implies 150 ÷ 250 = 60%. A $100 regulation bet wins $105, but loses if the game is tied after 60 minutes, even if the team wins in overtime. See the moneyline guide.
Puck line and totals
The puck line works like a point spread set at 1.5 goals, and the favorite at -1.5 often carries a plus price because many games are decided by one goal. Teams trailing late pull the goalie for an extra skater, so empty-net goals can decide both the puck line and the total. How overtime and a shootout count toward them depends on the house rules.
Goalies
The starting goalie can move a hockey line more than any skater. Starters are often confirmed only shortly before the game, and teams often use their backup on the second night of a back-to-back. Check who is in net before you bet.
Props and futures
Common props include a player's shots on goal, goals or points, and a goalie's saves. Futures include the Stanley Cup winner, conference and division winners and season awards. Availability varies by event. See the current lines on the NHL odds page, and look up unfamiliar terms in the betting dictionary.
Betting at Betcris Arizona
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does -1.5 puck line mean?
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The team must win by two goals or more for a bet on it to win. The underdog at +1.5 wins if it loses by one goal or wins the game.
Does overtime count in hockey bets?
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Most moneylines include overtime and the shootout, while regulation-time bets are settled after 60 minutes. Check the house rules for each market.
What is a 60-minute line in hockey?
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A bet settled on the score at the end of regulation, with three outcomes: either team wins or the game is tied. Overtime and the shootout do not count.
Why do puck line favorites often pay plus money?
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Many hockey games are decided by one goal, so a favorite winning by two or more is less likely than winning at all. The price reflects that.
