The love of sports is a universal language that brings people together irrespective of age, race, profession, or location. In the United States, ice hockey is one such sport. With over 136 million fans, it is the 4th most popular sport in the country.
Much like other popular sports, fans express their passion beyond the arena through activities like sports betting. The National Hockey League (NHL) betting is just as exciting and thrilling as watching your favorite team in their home arena.
Although NHL betting has something for everyone from casual to seasoned bettors, some beginners may find it overwhelming when starting out.
By focusing on the basics, we will guide you on the common types of bets, tips for placing bets, and common mistakes to avoid.
Key Types of NHL Bets
One of the key factors to consider when comparing NHL betting options is the type of bet to place. The three common types are:
1. Moneylines: This is the simplest and most common type of NHL bet, which is perfect for beginners. Here, all you need to do is place a bet on the team you think will win. Before each game, odds are assigned to each team based on their likelihood of winning. This likelihood is based on their recent performance and trend. It also considers their history playing with the team. For example;
- Florida Panthers Odds: +130
- Boston Bruins Odds: -150
Assuming you bet $100 on the Florida Panthers and they win, you would net $230 (your $100 investment plus $130 profit).
On the other hand for Boston Bruins, you would need to invest $150 in order to gain $100. So if they end up winning the game, you will get $250 (your $150 investment plus $100 profit).
2. Pucklines: This type of betting is similar to point spreading in other sports. In NHL betting, the pucklines are usually set at plus or minus 1.5 goals, which is the margin of winning or losing. For example;
- Florida Panthers: -1.5
- Boston Bruins: +1.5
The Florida Panthers would need to win by at least 2 goals to exceed the margin. If they score something like 3-1 you would win your bet.
On the other hand, for you to win your bet with the Boston Bruins, they would need to win or lose the game by 1 goal. Losing 3-1 means they lost by 2 goals, which would make you lose your bet. A 3-2 score though would be a win for you.
3. Totals (Over/Under): This is also another simple bet. It focuses on the overall score of the game (the scores of both teams combined) instead of having to choose a team. For example, you can choose to bet over or under a game score of 5.5 goals. If you bet under and the total falls short of 5.5 goals, then you win the bet. If not, you lose.
Tips for Beginners
Here are some simple tips to make NHL betting enjoyable for you:
- Start Small and Easy – Much like learning to walk, everyone crawled, then took small shaky steps before walking upright. Start with small simple bets, learn how it works, and repeat until you fully understand it.
- Do Some Research – Doing your due diligence is so important when it comes to investing (which betting is a form of) that even the government recommends it. It will help make more informed decisions. Know what teams are winning and why. Know which players have injuries and how their absence affects the team. Know which players were bought and much more.
- Track Your Bets – Keep a record of all your bets including the amounts invested, the profits or losses incurred, the types of bets placed, and your reasonings. This will help you track your performance over time.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Here are some pitfalls to avoid:
- Emotional Betting – Don’t let your love for a team or player cloud your judgment. Bet based on your research instead.
- Chasing Loses – Don’t bet impulsively because you lost a bet and hope to recover it immediately. Accept your losses, learn the lesson, and move on.
- Ignoring Facts – This is similar to emotional betting. Don’t ignore facts and research. Use your findings to place smarter bets.
Conclusion
By understanding the basics and avoiding the pitfalls, you can enjoy NHL betting anytime a game is on. Not only that, you get to also earn some money while watching your favorite sport. When done right, NHL betting is a win-win for you.
