Hockey is still one of the most enjoyed sports across Europe and overseas. However, the popularity of the sport does not automatically translate to hockey bets. Hockey bets are made much fewer times than football, tennis, or even baseball bets. In Europe, this is mainly due to the low coverage of games broadcast. In America, baseball and American football dominate the bookmakers' lines, and NFL online betting is the most demanded. Even less popular basketball is bet on more often.
As a result, most bookmakers worldwide have relatively low limits on hockey bets with tangible margins.
Advantages of Hockey Betting
Hockey betting has several advantages despite its precarious position in the betting world.
A High Number of Comebacks
Ice hockey matches are renowned for their upsets and dramatic surprises more than any other sport. One of them is comebacks: a team seemingly en route to lose abruptly takes the lead and snatches the match. Beginners hate this unpredictability in hockey betting. Meanwhile, pro bettors comfortably take advantage of this trait to win bets at high stakes.
High Frequency of Matches
Hockey clubs play every two or three days, the same as basketball. Such frequency allows bettors to follow a team's form and condition, assess players' states of mind, and analyze the team lineup. The high frequency of competition also allows for detailed statistics and analysis, which are required for betting.
Disadvantages of Hockey Betting
As mentioned earlier, hockey betting has its downsides as well. They may seem insignificant to some, but to most bettors, these downsides outweigh the advantages.
Limited Broadcasts
Virtually all games of this sport are broadcast locally only, with the NHL being the exception. Online viewing is thus presented to a limited audience of hockey fans. The internet somewhat makes up for this shortfall, but even broadband streams lag behind real time. It then becomes more problematic and at times impossible to place live bets. Additionally, not all bookmakers accept live bets on hockey.
Low Betting Limits and High Margins
Traditionally, there are smaller upper limits on hockey bets compared to other sports. As a result, hockey is not as popular with bookmakers. There are higher limits on NHL games than on regular games, but bets still usually have smaller amounts than, for example, NBA games. Furthermore, hockey bets carry high bookmaker margins.
Types of Bets
Let's now look at the basic types of hockey bets in bookmakers' lineups.
Main Results
There are three elementary results in hockey, as in other sports:
- 1X: Win of the first team
- 2X: Win of the second team
- X: Draw
Margins on these bets are low, which is a plus point. Maximum bets are usually on these.
Two "double chance" bets are also available:
- 1X (or X2): The specified team won't lose in regular time.
- 12: There will be no draw in regular time.
Handicap (Spread)
A handicap in hockey wagering is an advantage given to one of the teams. The handicap can be positive or negative. For example, a -1.5 handicap means you believe your chosen team will win by two or more goals. A +1.5 handicap means your team will win or lose by one goal at most.
Note that half handicaps (or fractional handicaps) do not allow push (refunds). It is either a win or a loss, but no tie.
Where the handicap is an integer (e.g., +1 or -1), refunds are feasible if the game ends with a margin exactly equal to the handicap. For instance, if you've backed a -1 handicap and your side has won 4-3, the bet is a winner but the stake is returned as the margin is exactly one goal.
A half goal can be "purchased" on the handicap by certain bookmakers, reducing odds by approximately 40% but providing extra protection.
You can even obtain a "zero handicap". This is a wager on a team and is returned in the case of a draw.
Totals
Totals bets are wagers on the total number of goals in the match. The total is usually fractional. You bet on the total goals being over or under the figure available. More than one total may be bet on a match.
Some bookmakers also allow "buying" half a goal on totals.
Other Bets
The quantity of hockey bets differs by bookmaker. Along with the four mentioned above, lines can have dozens of others, such as:
- Which team gets the first goal
- Team or key player individual totals
- When the first goal is scored
- Number of penalties in the game
And others.
Pre-Match Analysis
Pre-match analysis for hockey is similar to basketball. Successful punters undertake pre-game analysis. They determine their approach based on that. Both sports share similar features like frequent games every 2–3 days, squads of about two dozen players, and high home advantage.
Again, compared to basketball, there are also fewer hockey transmissions, especially in Europe where continental leagues may only be shown on national channels. This limits the sport's popularity in European countries.
Current Player Form
Since hockey is usually played in lines of five players for three lines, slumps are less obvious. However, recent form of the opponent is not a crucial factor to be ignored. The most relevant is the last four or five games. Notice whether these were home or away games because the performance is quite different depending on the location.
Head-to-Head History
Most bettors ignore this, concentrating on other aspects they consider more significant. Yet, head-to-head statistics are fundamental for solid hockey analysis. Certain clubs just do not match up well against others, and this is apparent only in direct match history.
Tournament Position and Motivation
Motivation is one of the strongest aspects of match prediction. Remember hockey's unpredictability—team quality is irrelevant next to motivation. Any player who is highly motivated can turn the match around. Motivation is usually more crucial even than a team's title or rank.
Injuries and Suspensions
Mid-season, players are tired and weary. Injuries, even to backup players, can affect game results. To steer clear of upsets, look into team lineups and scrutinize player conditions, injury histories, and suspensions.
Every bettor creates his own pre-match analysis style and strategy. The most important thing is to keep in mind that in betting, every detail is important. Never bet depending on the title or form of a team because these two things can change overnight. There is no surefire strategy yet, but being attentive and aware of all subtleties will always be to your advantage.