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Ice Hockey Betting Online Tips, Odds & Best Ice Hockey Sites for 2024
By Scott Bowen,Editor at online-gambling.com
Scott Bowen
Editor at online-gambling.com
| Rules Diffuculty | Medium |
|---|---|
| Betting Types | 10+ |
| Payout | 89%-95% |
| How to Win | Tips?& Strategies |
| Where to Bet | Bet365 |
How to Bet on Ice Hockey: Betting Guide
While it may not be as popular as basketball, football or soccer, ice hockey is still one of the more popular sports around the world. As such, ice hockey enjoys great popularity among sports bettors. If you are looking to learn how to bet on ice hockey you are in the right place as our ice hockey betting guide will teach you just that.
To help you get a better grip of ice hockey betting, we have created this ultimate guide. We cover all the betting types, tips, and strategies you can apply to get better results. If you enjoy ice hockey as a sport, keep reading and learn how to bet on it and make a profit while doing so.
Best Online Ice Hockey Betting Site to Bet for Real Money:
Top Offer
By betting with our recommended sportsbook, you will be getting the best odds and the best opportunities to bet on ice hockey. A generous welcome bonus is available for all players. Before you sign up, let’s look over the rules and regulations of ice hockey betting.
Ice Hockey Betting Rules
Ice hockey may seem like a very simple sport at first sight, but there are many things to understand if you are going to make successful predictions. Knowing the basic ice hockey rules of play is the first step, but understanding the special ice hockey betting rules can also come in handy.
This means knowing what stats to look into, who the players are, how the teams match up, and what markets are most profitable. We have compiled a list of important ice hockey rules which you should keep in mind when looking to bet at the top ice hockey betting sites out there and you can find them in the table below:
| Rule | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Bet on Major Leagues | Ice hockey is really a sport in which you want to bet on major leagues such as the NFL, NHL and major teams in general. Avoid making bets on lesser European leagues which there isn’t enough information about and which may be less than 100% fair at times. |
| Find the Best Odds | This may go without saying for betting on any sport, but finding the best ice hockey betting odds is very important. There are many operators out there, so make sure to compare the odds and always bet at the best possible price. |
| Don’t Bet on the Favorites | There are some sports, like basketball, in which the favorites win very often. Ice hockey is not one of those sports and is in fact one of the worst for betting on the favorites. Make sure to find value in the odds and don’t just jump for that simple bet on the team that’s a statistical favorite. |
| Watch the Lines | In hockey, the way players are matched in their lines is the crucial piece of information for predicting the outcome. You will need to watch games and have a good idea of how the coaches will match their players in different lines. Predicting which strategy will be the winning one is what will decide your success. |
| Use Pundits’ Tips | Of course, getting some help from the best pundits out there is always a good idea. There is plenty of information available from the finest pundits in the sports and sometimes simply copying their tips will be enough to win. However, make sure you understand the bets before you make them at all times. |
Applying these tips to your online ice hockey betting will help you get better results in the end. We are here to help you, and you can find plenty of useful information in the rest of this guide. In the end, you will have to make the bets yourself, so make sure to learn and soak up the ice hockey knowledge before you make any real money bets.
Betting Types
Like other sports, ice hockey comes with many different variables and statistics which can be tracked. For that reasons, the bookies also allow you to bet on many different outcomes and markets. For each game, there will be several main betting types you can take part in, along with dozens of other, less popular betting types.
The table below lists some of the most common betting types for ice hockey, such as moneyline betting, puck line betting, and futures betting. The best ice hockey betting websites all offer these markets and some may offer even more unique and uncommon bets. Start with this table to learn about the most basic of betting types.
| Betting Type | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Moneyline | The most basic of all ice hockey betting markets, moneyline market is directed at the outright victory in a match. By betting one side of the moneyline market, you are simply betting on which team will take home the victory. This is a simple but very common market that players like to bet on. |
| Puck Line | Puck line betting is practically the same as a run line in baseball. If you bet on puck line instead of moneyline, you will need your team to win by a margin greater than one goal. The puck line will be different in different games, but may be -1.5 goals which means your team needs to win by 2 goals in order for the bet to be a winner. |
| Over/Under | If you aren’t quite sure which team will take the win but you believe you have a good idea of what type of match it will be, you could decide to go with the over/under bet. This bet refers to the overall number of goals in the match. If the line is 6.5, you will need 7 goals for the over to come in, or 6 goals if you bet on under. |
| Period Result | The name of the bet says it all. You are betting on which team will win one particular period of the game. You can bet on each of the two sides or a draw in each of the three periods. You can bet on every period of the game separately or pick the one you like best. |
| Double Chance | This ice hockey betting market gives you two chances to win. You can bet on one of the teams or win or draw, or simply bet on either of the two teams winning, in which case you only lose if the game ends in a draw. This bet is good if you want to take a lesser risk on your money. |
| Period Moneyline | Unlike the period result bet, the period moneyline bet only offers two options. Either you bet on the home team or the away team. You cannot win the period moneyline bet if the period ends in a draw, but the odds will differ if you bet on the favorites or the underdogs with this market compared to the result market. |
There are other ice hockey betting lines you could try, but these are the most common ones available at most sites. If you are looking for even more markets to play in, you can check out the tennis betting markets which are more versatile and individualist than the ice hockey ones.
Ice Hockey Betting Terms
If you intend on making money by betting on ice hockey, you will need to learn the ice hockey betting terms first. This will help you understand any tips and strategies you may read about and make more sense of the tips we are giving you. These are a few of the most important terms you may want to know:
- Puck Line – This term is used for spread betting in ice hockey. Puck line is the goal difference between the two teams. A puck line of -1.5 goals means your team needs to win by 2 goals.
- Period Bet – A hockey game is made up of three periods. A period bet only applies to one of the three periods. You can bet on which team will win a period, how many goals will be scored in it, etc.
- Line Movement – The odds in ice hockey betting may change due to a number of reasons. If there is significant line movement happening, you should take note of it and see if injuries or other reasons caused this movement.
- Parlay: An ice hockey parlay is a betting slip which contains more than one pick. You can make up a parlay of multiple ice hockey picks or add other sports into the mix to spice things up.
As you keep betting on ice hockey and reading more about it, we are sure you will pick up even more of the slang. These and other terms will help you communicate better with other punters and understand all the literature to make even better bets in the future.
Odds & Payouts
When looking to make a sports bet, the odds will be one of the determining factors at play. Online bookmakers offer some great ice hockey betting odds across the board and there is plenty of value to be found in them.
The table below demonstrates the overall payouts across a number of major ice hockey leagues and competitions at major online betting sites. Remember, the higher the overall payout, the more you stand to win if you bet on that particular league.
| League/Tournament | Nation | Continent | Payout % |
|---|---|---|---|
| NHL | USA and Canada | North America | 91.40% |
| KHL | Russia (+guest nations) | Europe and Asia | 93.30% |
| Swedish Hockey League | Sweden | Europe | 93.90% |
| Czech Extraliga | Czech Republic | Europe | 93.70% |
| Finnish Liiga | Finalnd | Europe | 94.40% |
| Swiss National League A | Switzerland | Europe | 93.70% |
| Champions Hockey League | European Nations | Europe | 92.60% |
As you can see, ice hockey is quite an international sport, but it is most popular in North America and throughout Europe. Canada, the USA, Russia, and Scandinavian nations dominate the competitions. If you are looking to get into ice hockey betting, you should familiarize yourself with clubs from these countries and their competitions first.
Leagues and Tournaments
Ice hockey is a sport popular across the planet, but most popular in the northern reaches of the continents. North America and Europe are especially famous for the high quality of ice hockey played, with dozens of prominent leagues played there every year.
With hundreds of thousands of viewers for regular games and over 4 million watching the Stanley Cup games, NHL is the world’s leading and most-watched ice hockey competition. Other major leagues such as the KHL and the Swedish Hockey League also attract thousands of viewers. Below, you can find more information about these major leagues which may not have the popularity of football leagues but certainly compare well with most other sports.
NHL
National Hockey League (NHL) is America’s top ice hockey competition, hosted every year since 1917. NHL is made up of 31 teams from USA and Canada and the winner is awarded the prestigious Stanley Cup, the sport’s ultimate prize. The winner is determined by playoffs and finals, just like most other American sports leagues.
KHL
The Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) is the Russian top ice hockey competition. The competition started in 2008 and builds upon the Russian Superleague that was played before it. Today, the tournament hosts 16 Russian teams along with teams from Finland, Slovakia, Belarus, Latvia, and China. The team that wins the KHL season is awarded the prestigious Gagarin Cup, one of the top prizes in all of hockey.
Swedish Hockey League
Sweden is another European nation famous for its amazing ice hockey players. The Swedish Hockey League is played by 14 teams every year, with a system of relegation and promotion in place, very similar to European soccer leagues. The teams that make the playoffs battle it out for the Le Mat Trophy, which is the country’s top ice hockey prize.
Finnish Liga
There is no European nation in which more people play ice hockey (per million citizens) than Finland. As such, you would expect their top league to be very competitive, and it is. The Finnish Liga is one of the toughest ice hockey tournaments in the world with 45 years of existence. Finland was one of the countries that started the Champions Hockey League and betting on ice hockey in Finland is as popular as betting on any other sport.
Champions Hockey League
Similar to soccer’s Champions League, the Champions Hockey League (CHL) is a competition of the top European ice hockey teams. It was started relatively recently, in the 2014-15 season. Today, this tournament hosts elite teams from Austria, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, France, Norway, Germany, Czech Republic, Great Britain, Belarus, Denmark, Slovakia and Poland. It’s not as prestigious as the soccer version, but there is no shortage of betting options for it.
Best Sites to Bet on Ice Hockey
Ice hockey is definitely one of the more popular sports out there and every high-end bookmaker offers some betting options for it. We have found and listed some of the best ice hockey betting sites in the table below, so you can find the best odds and selection of markets for upcoming games easily and in one place.
Here below the Top 5 Ice Hockey Online bookmakers for 2024:
| Ice Hockey Betting Site | Welcome Bonus | Pros and Cons | Test Score | Trusted Link | Terms |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| bet365 | ￡50 | Premium Odds , Many Markets , Country Restrictions | 98% | www.bet365.com | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers only. Registration Required. Min deposit $5. Bet Credits available to use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bets and payment methods exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and full Terms and Conditions apply. |
| TonyBet | ￡50 | International Offer , Trusted Operator , Slightly Lower Odds | 97% | www.tonybet.com | T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers only. Minimum deposit ￡20. First deposit matched up to ￡50. 10x wagering at odds of minimum 1.65 to release bet credits. Full Terms and Conditions apply. |
| NetBet | Get ￡10 Free Bet | Major Betting Site , Other Gambling Offers , High Wagering | 97% | www.netbet.com | Min odds 3/1 (4.00), Min 3 selections. Free Bet Valid for 7 Days. T&C's Apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org |
| 22bet | ￡50 | Virtual Sports , Countless Betting options , No Live Chat | 97% | www.22bet.com | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers only. Enter bonus code 50SPORT when making first deposit and wager your deposit once on betting markets with odds of at least 1.65 within 30 days. Activated bonus carries wagering conditions of 10 times. Min odds 1.65. Full Terms and Conditions apply. |
The internet today offers hundreds of sites where players can make bets, but only some of them offer the premium service you deserve. The table we just showed you shows some of the very best sites for ice hockey punters and sports betting in general, so sign up today and claim your welcome bonuses to get started.
Bookmaker Offers & Bonuses
The leading online bookmakers offer various welcome bonuses, free bets, and boosted odds to help you get better results when betting on ice hockey. These top ice hockey betting offers can be found listed in the table below.
We have gone out and found the very best ice hockey betting promotions to help you with your goal of beating the bookmakers at their own game. These bonuses and promotions will give you that extra push and let you grow your bankroll in ways you never thought possible. Check them out and claim the very best ones for yourself today.
| Ice Hockey Betting Site | Bonus* | Wagering Requirement | Min Odds | Min Deposit | Top Payment Method | T&C |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bet365 | Up to ￡50 | 1x | 1.20 | ￡10 | Visa | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers only. Registration Required. Min deposit $5. Bet Credits available to use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bets and payment methods exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and full Terms and Conditions apply. |
| TonyBet | Up to ￡50 | 10x | 1.65 | ￡10 | Skrill | T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers only. Minimum deposit ￡20. First deposit matched up to ￡50. 10x wagering at odds of minimum 1.65 to release bet credits. Full Terms and Conditions apply. |
| NetBet | Get ￡10 Free Bet | 8x | 1.60 | €10 | MasterCard | Min odds 3/1 (4.00), Min 3 selections. Free Bet Valid for 7 Days. T&C's Apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org |
| 22bet | Up to ￡50 | 10x | 1.65 | ￡10 | NETELLER | Full T&Cs apply. 18+. New customers only. Enter bonus code 50SPORT when making first deposit and wager your deposit once on betting markets with odds of at least 1.65 within 30 days. Activated bonus carries wagering conditions of 10 times. Min odds 1.65. Full Terms and Conditions apply. |
Claiming these bonuses will help you achieve better results at online ice hockey betting, guaranteed. Each of these is available to all new customers who sign up to these leading bookmakers. You can check out the most common welcome bonuses for ice hockey bettors below and claim them as well to boost your bankroll even further.
Live Ice Hockey Betting
Ice hockey is an extremely entertaining sport to watch, full of adrenaline and excitement. If you love watching it, you will enjoy live ice hockey betting even more, as it gives you the chance to bet on the game you are watching, as it is happening. You can bet on ice hockey live at:
Top for Live Betting
Live betting is the ultimate thrill for punters who enjoy the sport and want to use their understanding of it and capitalize on seeing what’s happening in the actual match. If you fall into this category, sign up with one of the top online ice hockey betting sites and start betting on live matches on the next match day.
Ice Hockey Betting Apps
Never before has mobile sports betting been as widespread as today. The good news is that most leading sports betting sites offer a mobile betting option for Android and iOS users. The leading ice hockey betting apps will let you bet on the sport in the same way the desktop sportsbook would.
By signing up with the leading mobile betting operators, you will be able to place your ice hockey bets on the go, no matter where you are or what time it is. The mobile betting apps these days are usually native, meaning you can bet right in your mobile internet browser, without having to download any additional software.
Of course, these apps are not made for ice hockey betting only and you can bet on baseball, football, basketball, tennis, and other major sports in one place. You will get the best odds and be able to claim valuable welcome bonuses and free bets, all on your mobile device.
New Betting Sites
Practically every online sportsbook offers ice hockey betting, but there are some differences. We have already presented you with some of the best bookmakers out there, but there is some merit to betting with new betting sites as well. For one, these sites offer new and exciting bonuses you can claim as a new player there.
The bonuses are not the only valuable thing about new betting sites either. These new operators offer fresh and high-quality platforms and often provide additional value to their players. Top mobile apps, lucrative deals, and other forms of gambling are all offered once you sign up.
Where to Legally Bet on Ice Hockey
Sports betting is a global phenomenon, but it is not viewed in the same way around the world. While some countries allow ice hockey betting without major problems, others restrict it or ban it altogether. You should know your country’s laws before you jump into any kind of betting over the internet.
| Country | Legal Age | Online Ice Hockey Betting |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 21 | Some States |
| Canada | 18 | Yes |
| Sweden | 18 | Yes |
| Russia | 18 | Yes |
| Germany | 18 | Yes |
| UK | 18 | Yes |
We have listed some of the countries in which ice hockey betting is legal, but there is more to say to this. For one, in most countries you will need to make sure you are betting with an online operator which is licensed by the regulatory body in charge.
If you are betting within the USA, your betting options will depend on the state you live in. The situation in this regard is always changing, so make sure to inform yourself on your state’s laws. Also remember that there are some unlicensed and illegal bookmakers out there and you should avoid betting with these at all costs.
Tips and Strategies
Anyone can bet on ice hockey, but to make an actual winning bet, you will need some expertise. Whether you are new to it or have been around, we have prepared a list of ice hockey betting tips that can help just about anyone, even if just to remind you of what you should be doing when betting:
- Bet on familiar leagues. Betting on leagues you have been a fan of for years will give you a great edge. Knowing how the teams interact with one another, which players to look out for, and how the season usually progresses can be crucial.
- Use the bonuses. This tip can be used for all sports. Making the best of free bets and bonuses will give an extra boost to your bankroll. The more bonuses you claim, the more cash will end up in your balance.
- Find the best odds. By always looking for best betting odds for every game you bet on, you will increase your profits. This is why it is key to be active with multiple online bookmakers at the same time.
- Follow the lines. Once you place a bet, don’t just forget about it. Keep checking what’s happening with the betting lines. Any changes to the odds may be reflecting injuries, roster changer, or other important factors.
- Look at alternative bets: You may be familiar with some markets, but if your understanding of ice hockey in general is good, you may want to look at alternative as well. Look for the best betting markets for each game and find extra value this way.
We have provided you with a few useful tips on how to bet, but there is even more we have to offer. If you are not sure on how to organize your bets or how to approach betting, these ice hockey betting strategies may be just what you were looking for:
| Strategy | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Martingale System | The Martingale System is a popular betting system that can be used for all sports betting. Make a bet on a market of your choosing. If you lose, double that bet the next time around. Keep doing this until you finally hit a winning bet. |
| Betting the Under | The under bet on the Over/Under 4.5 goals can be a very lucrative market, especially if you bet live. Wait for one goal to be scored and the live odds on under will increase dramatically. Yet, the actual outcome won’t change too often, as an early goal does not mean many goals will be scored. |
| Road Games Betting | While there are always favorites in the NHL, the impact of the road games can be quite big. Some teams perform well on the road, while others struggle. After the first few rounds, you should have a good idea of who is doing well on the road and try betting on them when the odds are good. |
These ice hockey betting strategies are proven and actually work, so we suggest you learn how to apply them and make the best of them. Once you do, sign up with the best ice hockey betting websites and practice our strategies there until you reach perfection and can regularly beat the bookies.
History of Ice Hockey Betting
Sports betting around the world is as old as sports themselves. However, betting wasn’t always so easy as it is today. The somewhat recent introduction of online ice hockey betting has made it possible for us to make wagers anytime we please, and anywhere we are. Here are a few major facts about betting online you may have missed, which shaped the way it is today.
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 1996 | Online bookmaker Intertops reportedly accepts the first ever online sports bet, setting the stage for future ice hockey betting and betting across the board over the internet. |
| 2007 | The UKGC is founded, becoming the UK’s leading regulator of all online gambling activities. Today, this regulator issues licenses for legal UK bookies where you can bet on ice hockey. |
| 2018 | The Supreme Court of the USA makes a decision to lift the federal ban on sports betting. The states can now decide on their own destiny in regard to sports betting and one by one they start legalizing. |
| 2018 | The state of Delaware is the first to legalize online sports betting. Players in the state can now make legal online bets and other states start following the example. |
| 2019 | Starting on January 1st 2019, Swedish ice hockey lovers can now only place legal bets at officially regulated sites. However, the state has issued legal licenses to major sportsbooks for Swedish operations. |
| 2021 | Sports betting online is legal in over a dozen states as of 2021, with retail betting allowed in others and legislation pending in even more. Ice hockey betting may become legal nationwide within the coming years. |
As you can see, the legal situation of sports gambling around the world is constantly changing, but in most countries there are ways to do it legally. The American states are actively working on making ice hockey betting legal, but other forms of gambling such as online video slots, remain illegal in most of the country.
Final Thoughts
We have looked at ice hockey betting from every possible angle and you should now know what your options are and how to bet on this sport. The strategies and tips we have presented are a great way to get you started, but signing up to the top ice hockey betting websites will be crucial, which is why we suggest you pick carefully.
Top Offer
Once you have signed up with one of the leading online sportsbooks, find the ice hockey betting markets and think back on our tips. You can always come back and consult this page if you need some help making your next NHL, KHL, or CHL bet.
FAQ About Ice Hockey Betting
Out ice hockey betting guide has covered a wide range of betting topics that you may be interested in. Here are the answers to some of the questions you asked us most frequently, all in one place.
1. What is the best online ice hockey betting site?
Our detailed testing has determined that bet365 is the best ice hockey sportsbook. The operator offers its services internationally and covers the vast majority of all ice hockey leagues and competitions. On top of that, no operator can compare in odds and prices with bet365 for the majority of markets.
2. How to make money betting on ice hockey?
There are many good ice hockey strategies which you can apply to make money betting on ice hockey. However, to be successful, you will need to learn all there is to know about the sport. The more knowledge you possess the more money you will be able to make by finding good value bets to make in various matches.
3. Are there any ice hockey betting tips and strategies?
We have provided a number of useful ice hockey betting tips and strategies in this guide. Each of our tips aims to make you a better ice hockey bettor overall. We teach you how to manage your bankroll, what markets are worth betting on, and what your options are at major online sportsbooks.
4. Can I place in-play bets on ice hockey?
Online bookmakers offer live ice hockey betting as part of their daily betting offer. You can find dozens of hockey matches open for in-play betting every day, with hundreds of markets open. Making bets while the match is already underway can prove highly beneficial
5. How to bet on ice hockey?
You can learn how to bet on ice hockey by reading through our ice hockey betting guide. We have provided you with all the tips and strategies you need to succeed. All you need to do now is learn them all and keep improving your understanding of the sport to give yourself the best possible edge.
Scott Bowen has been a casino expert and editor at online-gambling.com for a few years. He has professional experience in many gambling products, including roulette and blackjack, video poker, and sports betting.