Hockey is a fantastic game and is always a lot of fun to watch. Unfortunately, not all gambling is compatible with sports betting and some people may get confused when watching sporting events. This blog post will discuss the various meanings of the betting lines in hockey and how to interpret them correctly. You will learn the differences between the various lines so you can confidently place a wager on any ice-related activity you may be interested in.
The Moneyline
This is the default line when there is no teaser or half-time line available. It essentially means that the total amount of money you are wagering on the game will be placed on the final score of the game. For example, if you are handicapping the game and the moneyline suggests that the over is 6.5-5, you would win 6.5 units for a 5-unit bet. The under is against you, so you lose 5 units.
The Over/Under Line
This line is usually used for NCAA college basketball and football games and is the difference between the amount of points scored and allowed. For instance, in football, the over-under line is usually the total amount of yards the team will need to cover in order to win the game. The under is against you, while the over is for you. If the line is +7 the over is +7 and you win you get 7 units, if the under is +7 you lose 7 units.
The Half-Time Line
This line is similar to the over-under line but is used for NBA and NHL games that are interrupted by intermissions. In the NBA, these lines are usually used for the first half of the game because the second half is usually shown on television during the regular season. This allows bettors to make half-time adjusted wagers if they so desire. The first half of a hockey game is often referred to as the “even” or “two-plus” half-time because it is two plus hours of continuous play. The second half of a hockey game is referred to as the “overtime” period because it is usually either a shootout or a “jersey shootout” (two 15-minute periods where only the goals are scored) where winning is based on who can put the puck into the net first. During the “jersey shootout,” the goalie is not allowed to leave the protective confines of the “crease” and may not touch the puck with his hands.
The Total Wins Line
This line is similar to the “over/under” line but instead of providing the total combined wins of both teams it provides the amount of wins each team is expected to get individually. For example, if you are betting on the total amount of wins for the New York Islanders and the Calgary Flames in a “NHL betting opposite sport betting” game, you would win if the Islanders win and lose if the Flames win. The under is against you while the over is for you.
The Total Losses Line
This line is the opposite of the “total wins” line and indicates the combined total amount of losses for both teams. For instance, if you are wagering on the amount of losses for the Phoenix Coyotes and the Los Angeles Kings, you would win if the Coyotes lose and lose if the Kings win. The under is against you while the over is for you.
The Proposed Score Line
This line is used for games where there is a lot of action and bets are frequently being placed. If you are using this line for an NBA game, you would likely see “proposed score” as opposed to the “line.” For example, the proposed score line for Wednesday’s game between the LA Lakers and the Brooklyn Nets may have Lakers -5½ and the Nets -7. This means that if you put down 5½ units for the Lakers, you would win 7⅔ units, while if you bet on the Nets you would lose 7⅔ units.
The Half-Time/Full-time Score Line
This line is used for games that are interrupted by intermissions (halftime in football, etc.). Just as with the “half time line,” the “full time score” line is the difference between the amount of points scored and allowed in the last “x” amount of minutes. For example, in a “NHL betting opposite sport betting” game, if the under is -7 and the over is +7 after 40 minutes of play you would earn 7 units for a “half-time score” whereas, if the under is +7 and the over is -7 after 60 minutes of play you would lose 7 units.
Which Line Should I Use?
As a general rule of thumb, you should use the moneyline when:
- There is no teaser or half-time line available
- The game is less than “x” amount of minutes long
- There are not a lot of betting units involved
- You do not want to risk more than you can afford to lose
- You want to maximize your winnings
The over-under line for NCAA college basketball and football, the total wins line for both individual teams and the total losses line for both teams are generally accepted as standard lines for handicapping sports games. As for the “proposed score” and “half/full-time score” lines they are generally accepted as standard lines for “proposed score” and “half/full-time score” wagering but, depending on the situation, you may want to use your best judgment.