In ice hockey, the puck line is a betting line that gives an underdog team a one-goal head start. The 1.5 goal head start is intended to level the playing field between two teams, making it more appealing for bettors to wager on the underdog.
The puck line was first established in Las Vegas in 1992 and has since become one of the most popular hockey bets. Many casinos now provide puck lines for all major hockey games.
How Does Puck Line Betting Work?
To bet on the puck line, you must first comprehend how it works. The puck line is a betting option available to hockey bookmakers that allows you to wager on the spread. The oddsmakers’ prediction of how many goals each team will score in the game is known as the spread.
If the puck line is set at -1.5 for example, it means that if the Detroit Red Wings play the Chicago Blackhawks, and your bet is for a one-goal victory, you must win by two or more goals to collect. This implies that if you wager on the Blackhawks +1.5, they can lose by one goal but you will still win your bet.
The goal line, sometimes known as the puck line, is the number of goals that are used to determine a winner in a wager. To win a puck line bet, you must correctly predict which team will cover the spread. You would win your bet if the Wings won by 1.5 or more and lost by two, or if they simply won by one and lost outright.
Puck line betting may be a fantastic way to see a return on a game if you’re confident in your prediction skills. It’s vital to keep in mind that the puck line isn’t always straightforward, and there’s a lot of luck involved in predicting a winner.
What is 2-Way Puck Line Betting?
2-way puck line betting is a type of wager that allows bettors to choose between two different lines. The first line is the standard moneyline, which requires bettors to pick a winner. The second line is the puck line, which gives bettors the option to pick a winner and an underdog. The puck line also has different odds than the moneyline, so it’s important to know how each one works before placing a bet.
In order to place a 2-way puck line bet, you will need to find a book that offers this type of wager. Once you have found one, you will need to decide which team you think will win the game outright. You will then need to decide if you want to take the puck line or the moneyline. If you take the puck line, you will be betting that the team you picked will win by two goals or more. If they only win by one goal, your bet will be a push and you will get your money back. You will lose your bet if you lose by any amount of points.
The odds for the puck line are usually +1.5 (-200), which means that you would need to risk $200 to win $100. The odds for the moneyline are usually -110, which means that you would need to risk $110 to win $100. As you can see, there is a big difference in the odds between these two bets. This is because the puck line is a lot harder to win than the moneyline.
An example of a 2-way puck line bet would be as follows:
Moneyline: Philadelphia Flyers (-110) vs. New York Rangers (+100)
Puck Line: Philadelphia Flyers (-1.5, +200) vs. New York Rangers (+1.5, -200)
In this example, the Flyers are the favorites on the moneyline and the puck line. This means that they are expected to win the game outright, but they need to win by two goals or more in order to cover the puck line bet. The Rangers are the underdogs on both bets, which means that they are expected to lose the game outright but could still win the puck line bet if they lose by one goal.
What is 3-Way Puck Line Betting?
As with 3-ways in other sports , in NHL a 3-way bet is where there are 3 possible outcomes ie the home team wins , the away team wins or its a draw. The bettor picks one of these three outcomes and if their chosen outcome occurs, they win the bet. If any other outcome occurs, the bettor loses.
The odds for 3 way puck line betting are usually +1.5 for the home team, -1.5 for the away team, and +0.5 for the tie. These odds imply that there is a 50% chance of each outcome occurring. However, this is not always the case and the actual probabilities will vary depending on which teams are playing and how strong they are.
An example of a 3-way puck line bet would be as follows:
The Chicago Blackhawks are playing the Detroit Red Wings and you think the Blackhawks will win. The 3-way puck line odds for this game are +1.5 (-200), -1.5 (+170), and +0.5 (-105). This means that you would have to bet $200 to win $100 on the Blackhawks, bet $100 to win $170 on the Red Wings, or bet $105 to win $100 on the tie.
If you’re confident that the Blackhawks will win, then betting on them would be the best option. However, if you think there is a good chance that the game could end in a tie, then betting on the tie might be a better option since it offers better odds.
Five Tips for Betting on the Puck Line
Here are five tips to help you make the most of your puck line bets.
1. Know the Teams and Their Strengths and Weaknesses
Although crucial in any sport, it’s especially so in hockey. Each team has its own style of play, and some teams match up better against certain opponents than others. Doing your homework on the teams involved will give you a significant advantage when it comes time to place your bets.
2. Pay Attention to Line Changes
In hockey, the lines change constantly throughout the game as players come off the ice for shifts. Even though it can greatly impact the outcome of a game, it’s something that many bettors don’t take into account. Keeping an eye on the lines will give you an edge over the competition.
3. Don’t Get too Cute with Your Bets
Stick to the basics and bet on the puck line when you can. There are other ways to bet on hockey, but the puck line is usually the best way to go. Trying to be too fancy with your bets will only lead to more losses in the long run.
4. Bet Early and Often
The earlier you place your bets, the better chance you have of winning. Hockey games can be very unpredictable, so it’s always a good idea to get your bets in as early as possible.
5. Have Fun and don’t Take it Too Seriously
Hockey betting should be fun, so don’t get too wrapped up in it. Remember that you’re not going to win every bet, and don’t let your losses get you down. As long as you’re having fun, you’re doing it right.
Live Betting NHL Puck Lines
If you’re itching to get in on the action, this is a great way to go as there’s no need to wait , you can just bet on the lines live while the teams are playing. It can also be a good way to get an edge on your betting, as you can see how the teams are performing and make your bets accordingly.
Live betting NHL puck lines can be a bit tricky, as there are many different ways that the lines can move during a game. However, if you pay attention to the movement of the lines and make your bets accordingly, you should be able to make some profit off of your live betting.
Betting on the Puck Line Responsibly
When betting on hockey, you have to bear in mind that anything can happen. Injuries, slumps, and just plain old bad luck can all affect the outcome of a game. That’s why it’s important to never bet more than you can afford to lose.
Puck Line Betting FAQs
What Is the Alternate Puck Line?
The alternate puck line is a bet offered by sportsbooks as an alternative to the standard puck line. The alternate puck line typically features a 1.5 goal spread and pays out at +200 odds, making it more favorable for bettors.
What is the Difference Between the Puck Line and the Money Line?
Whereas with a Moneyline bet you simply pick the team that will win, on a puck line bet you pick the team which you believe will win by at least 2 goals. (PL odds tend to be -1.5 or -2.0, which means you have to risk $1.50 or $2.00 for every $1.00 you can win. ML odds are usually +100 or higher, which means you will only win $1.00 for every $2.00 you bet.)
Should You Bet Puck Lines or Moneylines?
There's no easy answer to this question, as there are pros and cons to both. Ultimately, it comes down to what you favor more - the potential for a higher payout with a puck line bet, or the increased chance of winning with a moneyline bet.
When to Bet the Puck Line?
It is a good idea to bet the puck line when the favorite is expected to win by two or more goals. This gives you some insurance in case the favorite only wins by one goal.
What Happens in Overtime for Puck Line Bets?
For puck line bets, if the game is tied at the end of regulation time, then overtime will be played. If the team that you bet on scores during overtime, then you will win your bet. However, if the team that you bet against scores during overtime, then you will lose your bet.