How to Bet on Hockey

Wagering on hockey is based on a money line and there are betting options based around this.

The minus (-) on the electronic wagering display and wagering sheets indicates the favorite. The plus (+) indicates the underdog when you place a bet on hockey games.

Hockey Betting Example

In this example, Pittsburgh is the home team, which is always listed on the bottom, unless otherwise specified. Pittsburgh is a -150 favorite, which means for every $100 the player wants to win on Pittsburgh, he must lay $150. To win $10, he would bet $15 and collect $25 if Pittsburgh wins. A wager on Detroit would win $130 for every $100 wagered or $13 for every $10. A $10 wager would return $23.

You can also wager on the point spread or “Puck Line”, Pittsburgh is a -1 1/2 goal favorite, which means for every $100 the player bets on Pittsburgh you will win $160, but Pittsburgh must win by 2 goals or more. A wager on Detroit, +1 1/2 goal, would win $100 for every $180 wagered or $10 for every $18 and Detroit must win the game or loss by less than a goal. A $18 wager would return $28.

The next number (5 ½) is the Total. This is the combined number of goals scored by both teams, including any overtime. To wager on the Over, the player will win $130 for every $100 wagered, $13 for $10 or any multiple thereof. To bet on the under, the player must lay $150 for every $100 he wishes to win, or $15 for every $10. No ties will occur with a half-point line.

In the event of a shootout, for wagering purposes, the winner is awarded one goal, which is considered in the determination of the winner and loser and counts in the game total.