Betting on hockey and the NHL online may seem a bit confusing at first with its terminology differing from that of other sports wagering – Canadian Lines, Puck Lines, Money Lines, Totals, etc. There’s a perception that Vegas pays less attention to hockey than basketball in the winter…so that the lines are even more vulnerable to sharp players. Some places use what are called “puck lines,” others use a baseball-type money line and you must pick the winner. And most are now using a combination of the two. A “puck line” works much like a point spread, except that there’s a half goal difference between the favorite and the underdog, and there’s no 10% vigorish. You’ll see a line like 1 1/2/2, which means you can take the underdog plus 1 1/2 goals or take the favorite minus two goals. A hockey “Money Line” works like the one in baseball, except sometimes you will also be laying or getting a half a goal, a goal and a half, or other variations depending on what the sports book decides to post. For example, the odds on a game may have the favorite -130 and minus half a goal. If you wanted the favorite, you’d have to risk in a 13/10 ratio, and your team would have to win the game. If you wanted the underdog, you could tie or lose…and you’d receive either a 10/11 or a 10/12 payoff depending on your sports book.
Money Line and Puck Line Wagers
Money Line wagering is simply wagering on the contest based on a given price rather than a point spread. The team wagered on simply must win the game.
Puck Line Wagering is simply wagering on the contest based on a point spread and a money line combined. The team wagered on must win by the point spread.
Total (Over/Under) Wagers
On an over/under wager, the total goals of the game by both teams, extra innings included, must fall over or under the side selected.