Hockey betting

In the world of sports betting, hockey does not hold a particularly high rank in terms of popularity. It significantly lags behind sports such as football, tennis, and basketball. This results in most bookmakers maintaining low limits on hockey bets, while the margin tends to be quite large. With the start of the season, bettors have a wide selection of matches, and an extensive array of betting options is offered for each game in the top championship. Predicting outcomes in hockey can be challenging, but with sufficient experience and knowledge of the tournament, betting on hockey can be quite successful. In this article, we will examine the key aspects of betting on hockey at bookmakers and share the most effective betting strategies.

Features of Hockey Betting

1. Seasonality of Events. The betting lines feature numerous events; however, their quantity varies depending on the time of year. The summer months are characterized by a shortage of hockey matches, and July sees a lull when even friendly games are not held. The situation begins to change in August, with activity declining again only in May.

2. Variety of Strategies. In every sport, certain patterns and trends can be identified, and in hockey, their number sometimes exceeds that in other disciplines. Both mathematical and financial strategies, as well as specialized adaptations of game tactics, can be successfully applied to hockey matches.

3. Real-Time Betting. Hockey is a dynamic sport where events can develop rapidly. It is important to follow the match and understand the possible scenarios, as simple analysis of changing odds will not be sufficient.

4. High Odds. In games between equal teams, the odds for a straight win often exceed two. With proper analysis, a bettor can determine which team has a better chance of winning. Bookmakers sometimes make mistakes in setting odds, so experienced players with knowledge of the teams and attention to match details can find advantageous bets and secure profits.

Advantages of Hockey Betting

1. Frequent Comebacks. In hockey, it is not uncommon for one team to make an unexpected comeback in the game, changing the outcome in their favor. This unpredictability often deters bettors; however, experienced players know how to take advantage of such moments. With the right approach, this creates opportunities for profit at favorable odds.

2. Regularity of matches. Hockey teams play every 2-3 days, allowing bettors to monitor the current form of the teams, their psychological state, and line-ups. The frequency of matches contributes to a more thorough collection and analysis of statistics, which is an additional advantage.

Disadvantages of betting on hockey

1. Limited number of broadcasts. Most hockey leagues (except for the NHL) are broadcasted only at a local level, making it difficult to watch games in real-time. While a stable internet connection can help, it does not resolve the issue of broadcast delays, complicating live betting.

2. Low betting limits and high margins. The low popularity of hockey among bookmakers leads to low betting limits, except for NHL matches. Additionally, hockey lines often come with significant margins, which is also a disadvantage for bettors.

Types of bets. Popular types of hockey bets.

1. Match outcome. Bets on outcomes can be determined by the results of regular time, as well as considering overtime and shootouts. The line must indicate two categories: for regular time and for the full match with extra time. In the first case, three betting options are available: P1 (victory of the first team), X (draw), and P2 (victory of the second team). If considering overtime, one can only bet on the winner — P1 or P2.

2. Total. Totals can be for the entire match or for individual periods. There are also totals divided into time segments, for example, from the 1st to the 10th minute, from the 11th to the 20th, and so on. Individual totals reflecting the performance of a specific team are also available. Bets can be placed on individual periods as well as on the entire match.

3. Handicap. A handicap represents the score difference between the teams. As with totals, one can bet on the entire match or on individual segments. Handicaps can be European (whole numbers) or Asian (decimal). For example, a European handicap may look like this: H1 (-2); H2 (0). An Asian handicap may be represented as: H1 (+3.25); H2 (-1.5).

4. Next goal. This bet is particularly popular in hockey due to the high scoring nature of the game and the virtually non-existent zero draws. The essence of the bet is to guess which team will score the next goal. The outcome is available in live mode, allowing for the capture of high odds during the game. Bets can be placed on the entire match as well as on individual periods.

How to analyze hockey matches

Analyzing a hockey match is largely similar to analyzing basketball. Before placing a bet on hockey, it is essential to conduct thorough analysis. These sports share many commonalities: potential overtimes, frequent games throughout the week, and a significant home advantage. All these factors must be considered when evaluating pre-match scenarios.

One of the drawbacks of hockey, like basketball, is the limited number of available broadcasts. This is especially true for European leagues, where matches from leading championships are often shown only on national channels.

Current form of the teams

Although hockey teams use three different lines, which can mask dips in performance, this aspect of analysis should not be overlooked. Pay special attention to the last four to five matches and take into account that results from home and away games can vary significantly. Before placing a bet, analyze the results considering which team is playing at home and which is away.

Head-to-head history

Novices often overlook the analysis of previous encounters, focusing on other statistical data. This is a mistake, as head-to-head history is one of the key factors in hockey. The tactical schemes of the teams may not align, and one opponent may feel uncomfortable against another. As a result, an underdog can sometimes surprise a stronger opponent.

Tournament standing and motivation

Motivation is an important and obvious aspect to consider when predicting NHL, KHL, and other tournament matches. One should not underestimate the impact of motivation on the outcome, especially in final games where teams may display unpredictable results due to high incentives.

Injuries and suspensions

By mid-season, even the most experienced players may face fatigue and injuries. These factors can significantly affect game performance. To confidently predict a winner, it is important to study team rosters and stay informed about current injuries and suspensions to avoid unpleasant surprises before the match begins.

Betting strategies in hockey

Once you have mastered the basic theoretical aspects of hockey and gained initial experience, you can start developing your betting strategies.

There are many approaches available online, but truly effective ones are not that numerous. It is recommended to combine each strategy with a financial model known as the flat betting system. This model assumes that a fixed amount is allocated for each bet. For example, if your bankroll is $1,000, you might set your bet size at $50. This amount will remain unchanged and should not be deviated from. If your bankroll increases over the course of a month, you can raise the bet amount.

The flat betting system is suitable for most betting strategies. Let's consider two examples: one strategy is compatible with the flat system, while the other is not.

Betting on the total of the second period

The second period of a hockey game differs from the first and third. At this moment, teams switch sides, and the benches become more distant. This leads to frequent positional errors, as players take longer to return to the bench. How can this feature be utilized?

Physical fatigue can disorganize the game, especially in defense. Defensive lines become less compact, and players often lose their positions, which can lead to unnecessary penalties. This affects scoring activity: strong forwards or a well-functioning attacking line can easily take advantage of the confusion in the opponent's defense and score a goal. Therefore, it is recommended to bet on the total being over in the second period.

Before the start of this game segment, bookmakers usually set the total at 1.5, but during the match, you can catch options for over 1 or over 0.5 with high odds. By using the flat system, you can achieve a good profit in the first month by betting on all matches of the tournament.

The "Martingale" strategy on underdogs

This strategy employs a different financial model. The essence is to constantly bet on the victory of underdogs. In every championship, there are 4-5 teams that do not contend for the playoffs and occupy low positions in the standings. The odds for their victory are always high. If your first bet turns out to be a loss, there is no need to be upset. Just place a second bet with the same size, provided the odds exceed 3. In case of another loss, increase the bet by 1.5 times. Continue doing this until you achieve a win that covers all previous losses.

Which bookmakers to use for betting on hockey

Betting on hockey is available at any legal bookmaker. Companies offer extensive lines for top-level matches, numerous betting options on statistics and individual player performance, as well as detailed lines for each period. Good lines and high odds can also be found at many bookmakers.

How to analyze hockey bets? Before placing a bet, it is important to thoroughly analyze the teams based on several criteria: current form, head-to-head history, standings in the league table, list of injured and suspended players, and team motivation.

How to make hockey bets correctly? Consider the specifics of hockey and follow a certain strategy. In this article, we explored the key aspects of analyzing a hockey match and suggested several betting strategies. When choosing a bookmaker, pay attention to the odds and the quality of the live service.

What are the best hockey betting strategies? The most effective strategies are those that increase the chances of success in the long term. Such strategies include: betting on underdogs, chasing the underdog's win in the playoffs, live betting on over totals in the third period and over 1.5 in the second, as well as chasing a draw in periods.

What betting options do bookmakers offer for hockey? Bookmakers offer a variety of betting options, including: win or draw, totals, handicaps, even/odd, race to N goals, next goal, exact score, bets on "Will number X be in the final score," combined markets, period performance (for example, one period scoring more than another), bets on determining the winner in regular time or overtime, and much more.