Hockey is an exciting sport to watch and bet on, and there are plenty of ways to do so. It’s a great way to make money if you know how to read the game. You can use NHL betting markets to bet on individual goals, totals, teams, and player props. There are also many ways to combine multiple bets on a single game.
One of the most common and exciting types of hockey bet is the money line. A moneyline is a wager that requires you to select the team that will win a game. This is different than covering the point spread, in which you choose a side to win. The line is calculated by subtracting a number from the number of goals that the favored team will score. Usually, the team favored to win will be listed with a negative amount. If the team you are betting on is listed as a favorite, you will need to put up more than the money line to win.
Another popular type of hockey bet is the puck line. Puck lines are similar to point spreads in baseball, but they are used in hockey. In the past, they were set at a fixed number. However, over the years, they have evolved. Nowadays, they are usually displayed as a decimal number. They are most commonly set at a +1.5 or -1.5, depending on the team playing.
Generally speaking, the puck line is based on the result of the first period of the game. If the favourites lose the first period, they will start at a disadvantage. Conversely, if the underdogs win the first period, they will start with an advantage.
For a more sophisticated type of bet, you can take a look at the NHL derivative markets. These markets give you the chance to bet on specific segments of the game, such as which team is leading after two periods. Some sportsbooks even allow you to bet on a team that will score three or more goals.
Parlays are another way to bet on a game. Parlays are riskier, but they can be much more profitable. Each team in a parlay must win in order for you to get paid out, and you must choose all of the selections correctly. Be sure to check out the withdrawal processes of any book you are considering.
Another common type of hockey bet is the over/under total. An over/under bet is a simple one. Typically, a hockey total is set at a range of five to six goals. Any game where the total is 5.5 or fewer is considered an underdog, and any game where the total is 6.5 or higher is considered a favorite.
Many bettors like to take a combination of these bets. For example, you can bet on the Pittsburgh Penguins and the Los Angeles Kings. This is a $100 parlay that will require the two teams to win the game. Ideally, you will want to choose all of your selections early on. Otherwise, you can expect to miss out on a lot of money.