Effective Strategies for Betting on Ice Hockey

Bookmakers offer betting options on ice hockey matches of different levels, ranging from the highest division to regional tournaments. To increase profits from betting, customers of bookmaking companies use various betting strategies. For novice players, it is essential to study the specifics and peculiarities of ice hockey betting, the variety of markets available, and to choose the right bookmaker for the game.

Bookmakers offer betting options for ice hockey matches, ranging from 100 to 1,000 markets, depending on the event's popularity. There are two main types of markets: primary and secondary. Primary markets include bets on statistics and time intervals within the match. Secondary markets include combined markets with multiple bet types in a single wager. These double markets allow bettors to place two bets on one game simultaneously.

The leading ice hockey betting positions include:

• Outcome: betting on the win for one of the teams or a draw;
• Double chance: a bet against one of the outcomes;
• Match winner: a bet on the outcome without considering a draw, which includes overtime and shootout;
• Both teams to score: both teams are expected to score at least one goal during the match;
• Total: the total number of goals scored during the match or a specific time interval;
• Handicap: betting on the outcome with an artificial advantage given to one of the teams;
• First goal scorer: a bet on the team that scores the first goal;
• Overtime: betting on whether there will be overtime in the match or if the game will end without additional time;
• Individual total: determining the effectiveness of a specific team.

Additional ice hockey betting options include player performance, hockey statistics, and combined markets.

Bookmakers also offer other markets, such as bets on shootouts, odd or even total goals, bets on specific time intervals, and bets on consecutive goals.

Bookmakers may calculate total bets differently; some include only the main game time, while others include overtime.

Bookmakers offer a lower margin for the main game markets, which allows players to place bets on more favourable terms and receive higher profits for each winning bet.

Finding statistical data and conducting analytical work on top positions is much easy for beginners.

Experienced players recommend paying attention to games within the most popular leagues: NHL, CHL and AHL, where bookmakers offer high-quality betting schedules and maximum odds.

Bookmakers accept bets on hockey matches both before the events and during the game.

Bookies publish official information about the results of matches and calculate hockey bets as quickly as possible.

Features of hockey betting:

• Matches are played frequently, making finding an event to bet relatively easy.
• Higher betting limits for popular leagues.
• Live streaming for games is readily available.

Using analytical strategies allows for identifying the most probable positions in the betting line based on statistics. Experienced players use one of the following methods: betting against the favourite, strategy for a long draw, and betting on the outcome of periods.

Along with analytical strategies, it is crucial to adhere to bankroll management rules to achieve greater profitability, such as not betting recklessly and placing at most 5% of the total capital on each match.

Betting Against the Favourite Team

Bookmakers set lower odds on the potential winner of a match, making betting on favourites disadvantageous in the long run.

The underdog betting strategy involves looking for matches with a high probability that the favourite will lose.

The tactic of the strategy is to place bets on the underdog to win in games where:

• the favourite lost the last match played away;
• the underdog won at least 2 out of the last five head-to-head matches;
• the difference in odds of each team's victory is no less than 1.00.

Higher odds in favour of underdogs allow for profit even with a low success rate. The average odds for the game are around 2.50, so you need to win at least 40% of the bets to make a profit.

Example of Using the Strategy

In the match "Arizona - Vegas," bookmakers offered odds of 1.55-1.70 for the guests' victory, while the initial odds for the hosts' victory were 4.40 and higher. "Arizona" managed to win 2 out of the last five head-to-head matches. Therefore, betting on the home team was more promising. As a result, "Arizona" won the game, and the bet was successful.

Tie Game Duration Betting Strategy

The difficulty of the strategy on the duration of the tie game lies in the extensive analysis of upcoming matches and the search for a suitable event to place a bet on. The advantage of the strategy is its high success rate.

The strategy tactic is to analyse the average duration of the tie score in the last five head-to-head matches, calculate the arithmetic mean, and make a bet based on the analysis.

Example of the Strategy

For the duration of a tie in the Anaheim-Los Angeles match, the Melbet bookmaker has set the following odds:

• tie within 15.5 minutes B
• tie within 15.5 minutes M

The player must independently study the last five head-to-head matches and calculate the average duration of a tie.

"Los Angeles" scores quickly, often makes doubles and defends well. The average duration of a tie based on past games is 7 minutes. This is lower than the value offered by the bookmaker, so it is promising to place a bet on "Under".

The match ended with a victory for the visitors. The first and second periods were uneventful for the home team, and there was no tie game duration - 0 minutes. The bet was successful.

Both Teams to Score in Period Strategy

Betting on BTS for the entire match is not profitable due to the low odds offered by bookmakers, usually ranging from 1.10 to 1.30. Over time, betting with such odds minimises potential profits.

Betting on BTS for a specific period allows for playing with higher odds and, with the proper match selection, can generate profits in the long run.

Principles for selecting matches to bet on:

• Both teams display high-scoring potential, with an average total of over five goals in their last five head-to-head games.
• The odds for BTS in the period should be no less than 1.75.
• There should be at most 1 goal scored in the first period.

It is recommended to place the bet in the second period. If the bet loses, the player can place another bet on the third period using the "Martingale" method.

Example of Using the Strategy

When analysing the head-to-head matches between Toronto and Minnesota, it is evident that the average total over their last five games is above five goals.

The first period of the match ended with a score of 0-0, which meets the conditions of the strategy.

Bet on BTS in the second period:

In the second period, both teams had one successful attack. The score is now tied at 1-1, and the bet was successful.

The "Both teams to score" strategy involves placing bets commonly in live mode.

Experienced sports bettors suggest to beginner users:

• Start with virtual funds to learn how to manage their bankroll and develop their betting strategy.
• Begin placing bets with small amounts - up to 5% of their starting bankroll.
• Avoid aggressive forms of bankroll management - in case of a prolonged losing streak; the bet amount may be disproportionate to the potential winnings.
• Evaluate the lines of different bookmakers - the odds on markets can vary significantly between different bookmakers, and the level of the odds affects the potential profit.

Pros:

• A large number of matches are on the betting lines.
• Increased odds for top league games.
• Wide range of betting strategies available.
• Availability of live streaming in bookmakers.
• Fast payout of winnings.

Cons:

• Difficult to find matches to bet on during the off-season.
• The higher margin on secondary markets.