Hockey Betting
NHL Hockey betting sure has changed from the old days. It used to be based on a spread (goals). In those days, you might have one team as a -1.5 goal favorite. For some, the good news was that it was like football and basketball in that you would be returned $10 for every $11 wagered. The bad news was the rules in Hockey at the time made betting a certain uncertainty at best. Why? Well, the rules at the time allowed ties. It was also a more defensive game, but the allowance of the tie was the largest factor.
Every game was at least a half goal. For example, you would see something like Anaheim Ducks plus half a goal at San Jose Sharks. You might think the Sharks are better, but if they were not a lot better, the game could very well end in a tie—and you end up a loser. It was common to see teams try to skate for a tie, because a tie was like half a win. Sure, money was still being made by those that knew the game, but many simply walked away.
After the NHL strike, the game and betting really changed for the better. The game went to a new format to decide games tied after regulation. The lines changed from goal lines to money lines. In my opinion, the game is much better now and so is betting on it. NHL hockey betting more resembles MLB baseball betting. The money lines are, in my opinion, very simple—pick the game's winner and pay. The first task for those looking to be successful in NHL hockey betting is to familiarize one's self with the rules of the NHL.
Back to the betting lines. For example, you might now see a line that has Carolina Hurricanes -170 at home against the NJ Devils at +150. The line is very simple. Pick the team you think will win and bet. If you like Carolina in this example, you would wager $1.70 for every $1.00 you wanted to win—to win $10, you would wager $17.00. Should you like the Devils, you will receive $1.50 for every $1.00 wagered. If you took the Devils at $20, you would win $30 should they win the game. It's very simple.
As with other sports, there is a totals line as well. Betting on the totals line has become very interesting since the rule changes. Scoring has become more prevalent in today's NHL. Before total lines like 6 would require a virtually automatic under wager. Today, that would not be so wise. Even in this year's Stanley Cup finals we had games blowing past this total. Betting on totals presents a great opportunity. If you can master it, there's a lot of money in your future.
Article Source:
http://www.articlesbase.comAbout the Author: The author is an experienced
sports betting editor at SportsGamblingReview.com, an
sportsbook review site. He also writes a daily blog on NHL
hockey betting with up to the minute odds, news and picks.
