Planning to bet on ice hockey - Betting markets and strategies you should be aware of

If you too are keen on betting on ice hockey matches, it is important that you do so only with a reputed online platform. Anyone wanting to punt on SHL, EIHL or other European ice hockey leagues in particular should know that best betting odds can be found here. Let’s now take you over the strategies and popular betting markets you should be aware of when betting on ice hockey.

Betting markets

Money Line

Just as applicable in baseball betting, money line betting market in ice hockey is about who will win the match.

Handicap

This betting market is available when either of the team is an underdog or is heavily favoured to win. The bookmakers normally provide a handicap on the winning margin, to even things out.

For instance, if Team A has a handicap of -2, any bet placed on them well win if they win by a margin of more than 2 goals. If you choose to bet on the opposing team at +1 instead, you’d win the match if that team scores a win or the match is drawn.

Total goals

As is the case with other team sports like handball, soccer etc., even in ice hockey victory is decided by goals. You can bet whether the total number of goals scored in a match will be below or above a certain figure set by the bookie.

Total goals (overtime)

Considering that it’s possible to have overtime in ice hockey, you might also be offered totals market in ice hockey. In this case, the offered odds may be less favourable compared to the regular odds for total goals, but you’d still win if the game finishes inside regulation time. For instance, anyone who must have bet on OAR to beat Germany in overtime (at Winter Olympics 2018) would’ve registered very handsome profit.

Betting strategies

Ice hockey betting has become extremely popular in countries where the sport is played and followed enthusiastically by the general public, for instance in Canada and Eastern and Northern European countries.

Carrying out some statistical research is highly advisable if you want to gain an edge over the bookie (here’s all the latest ice hockey news from BBC). Use some type of staking method to optimise any such edge.

As in any sport, you must always pay attention to the home advantage. Certain teams are stronger on their home surfaces, and their strengths can increase significantly when playing in front of the home crowd.

When it comes to individual positions, you must study the quality of the goaltender. While ice hockey is essentially a team sport, goaltender players a very critical role in the game. For example, Finland is known for producing some best goalies in the game.

Anyone interested in live betting should factor in the line changes made by the coach. This is when the offensive trio or defensive pairings are changed because of the opposition tactics.

Last but not the least, people seeking value in totals markets should refer to the goals per game statistics.

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