Hockey betting is becoming more popular each year. This is known as one of the sports where a smart bettor who practiced proper money management can make some really huge profits. Once a bettor begins to study and understand Hockey Odds, he or she can gain a better understanding of how the bookies set their numbers.

The bookies set a lot of these Hockey Betting Odds with the public in mind. They know the public is going to bet the Detroit Red Wings and New York Rangers (and other public teams) every week so there are some great situations to get good numbers by going against teams like that.

Betting on ice hockey and the NHL online may seem a bit confusing at first with its terminology differing somewhat from that of other sports wagering – Canadian Lines, Puck Lines, Money Lines, Totals, etc.

Moneyline Betting is simply betting on the contest based on a given price rather than a pointspread. The team wagered on simply has to win the game.

Puck Line Betting is simply betting on the contest based on a pointspread and a moneyline combined. The team wagered on must win by the pointspread.

Example – Moneyline Wager

The posted moneyline on a hockey game reads:

New Jersey Devils -155 at

Dallas Stars +135

A player could choose one of two moneyline wagers on this matchup:

Devils -155

If the Devils win then the player laid $155.00 to win $100.00 Stars +135

If the Stars win then the player who bet $100.00 wins $135.00

Example – Puck Line Wager

The posted line on a hockey game reads:

New Jersey Devils -1 1/2 +130 at

Dallas Stars +1 1/2 -150

A player could choose one of two Puck Line Wagers on this matchup:

Devils -1 1/2 +130

If the Devils win by 2 goals or more, then the player who bet $100.00 wins $130.00

Stars +1 1/2 -150

If the Stars win the game, or lose by only one goal, then the player laid $150.00 to win $100.00

Total (Over/Under) Wagers

On an over/under wager, the total goals of the game by both teams, extra innings included, must fall over or under the side selected.

Example – Totals Wager

The posted total on a hockey game is:

4 1/2

Under -125

Over +105

A player could choose one of two Total (over/under) wagers on this matchup:

Over 4 1/2 +105

If the total goals of both teams combined are more than 4 1/2, then the player bet $100.00 to win $105.00

Under 4 1/2 -125

If the total goals of both teams combined are less than 4 1/2, then the player who laid $125.00 wins $100.