Puck line betting is hockey’s version of the point spread, where a bettor puts money on a team to either win by two goals or not lose by more than one goal. Since hockey players score goals using a puck, the term for this sport is the puck line.
In this guide, we introduce you to this betting market, and take you through the salient points like the puck line meaning, how to read the odds for this line, and how to sign up with a sportsbook that offers puck line wagering.
What Does Puck Line Mean in Sports Betting?
Generally, the best online sportsbooks offer three primary betting markets in sports betting: the moneyline, totals, and point spread. In hockey betting, things are no different, except that here the point spread is referred to as a puck line.
In this case, like point spread betting, the sportsbook applies a margin of victory to the teams to provide a more even playing field, making it trickier to back the favorite and improving the odds overall.
Handy Tip:
Point spreads are available for most sports and you can learn more about them by reading our article on this betting line by clicking here.
What is Puck Line Betting?
In a moneyline bet, a bettor puts money on the team they predict will win the game overall. However, in some instances where there is a clear favorite, this leaves bettors with boring and not very competitive odds. It is here that the puck line takes the lead.
A puck line applies a margin of victory to a bet, where the sportsbook adds points to one team and removes them from the other to create a more even playing field heading into the game. In this case, the bettor no longer backs the team they predict will win but by how much a team will win or lose by.
While sports like football and basketball see sportsbooks apply a margin of victory from anywhere between +/-1 to +/-13, the puck line in hockey typically remains at +/-1.5. But we will cover more on this later.
Handy Tip:
Puck lines use a half-point format. Sportsbooks apply the .5 decimal to avoid betting ties.
How Does a Puck Line Work?
Now that we have a better understanding of what a puck line is, let’s look at how it works. If we consider the NHL example below, we can see the betting options for the Minnesota Wild and the Dallas Stars. By Looking at the first column of numbers (the puck line), we can tell the following:
The Minnesota Wild are the underdogs for this match, and we can tell this because their line has the plus sign (+) in front of their odds (+1.5).
On the other hand, the Dallas Stars are the favorites (most likely to win) because they have the minus sign (-) before their odds (-1.5).
But what is the puck line meaning here?
Since the puck line is a term for the margin of victory, or the number of points a team must win or lose by for the bettor to win their wager, the following applies:
The Minnesota Wild, as the underdog, must either win the game outright or lose the game by less than one point for bettors backing them to win their wagers. If either of these outcomes occurs, a bettor will receive a payout of -210 odds. But, if the Wild loses the game by two points or more, the bettor loses their bet on the team.
In converse, the Dallas Stars, as the favorites, must not only win the game but also score more than two points for a bettor backing the team to win their bet. Meaning if the final score is DS 4-2 MW, where there is a two-point differential, bettors with money on the favorite (Dallas Stars) will win their bet at odds of +180. However, if the score were to end up as DS 3-2 MW, where the favorite only wins by one point, the bettor loses their bet.
Handy Tip:
Keep in mind that these odds are displayed as American odds. European spreads differ and are referred to as a handicap. If you’re interested to know more, you can learn more about handicap betting by reading our dedicated guide.
How to Read Puck Line Bets – Understanding the Odds
When placing puck line bets, it is essential to understand the odds and to know how to read the lines to make more informed and lucrative wagers. Since there are two lots of figures involved in puck line betting, let’s break everything down using our example below, to make it more easily readable.
Here, we have an NFL game between the Tampa Bay Lightning and the Toronto Maple Leafs, with the puck line as follows:
- Tampa Bay Lightning: (+1.5) -205
- Toronto Maple Leafs: (-1.5) +175
The first number next to the Tampa Bay Lightning shows the puck line. This team, as the underdogs, must win outright, or not lose by more than one point. If one of these two outcomes occurs and the bettor has backed this team, they will win their bet. But what will their earnings be?
This is where the second number comes into play. Here, the odds for the Tampa Bay Lightning are set at -205, which means a bettor must put down $205 to win back $100. Although the Tampa Bay Lightning are the underdog to win, the become the favorite for the puck line.
In converse, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the favorite to win. As a result, when looking at the first number, the team must win by two points or more for the bettor backing them to win their wager. However, because they are the underdog for the puck line, bettors will receive odds of +175, which means they must wager $100 to win back $175. Keep in mind that bettors are not required to put down exactly $100, this is merely a guideline that they can use to help them calculate how much they will win back off the stake they wager.
Handy Tip:
In an instance where both teams have negative odds, the team with the number farther from zero is considered the favorite, as the bettor must put down more to make back $100 on their wager. For instance, if there are odds of -112 and – 104, the team with -112 is the favorite as the bettor must put down $112 to win back $100.
What Do and – Mean in a Puck Line?
Generally, betting odds for the various betting markets are preceded by a plus (+) or minus (-) symbol.
While the plus sign highlights the underdog (the team or athlete least likely to win,) the minus indicates the favorite (the team with the greater chances of winning). However, it is important to note that these symbols mean something different when placed next to the puck line.
In puck line betting, these signs represent the following:
- The Plus (+) indicates the underdog and that the team must either win outright or not lose by more points than the number placed next to the plus sign. Since the line for NHL betting is usually 1.5, the team must not lose by more than a single point.
- The Minus (-) shows the favorite and that the team must win by more than the number next to the symbol. For example, a team with a line of 1.5 must win by more than two points for this to be the winning wager.
However, when placed next to the odds, the plus and minus take on a different meaning. While they still indicate the underdog and the favorite, these symbols no longer show how a team must perform for a bettor to win their NHL wager, but rather how much a bettor will win from this bet.
When reading the puck line odds, the plus and minus mean the following:
Say we have the following odds: Team A +136 and Team B -155.
- The Plus (+) indicates the underdog and that the bettor will win $136 back on a $100 wager.
- The Minus (-) shows the favorite and that the bettor must bet $155 to win back $100.
Handy Tip:
To learn more about the + and – in betting odds, read our article all about the plus and minus in betting.
What Does a 1.5 Puck Line Mean?
Unlike point spreads that have varying lines (usually between +/-1 and +/-13), the margin of victory or spread for puck line bets stays at +/-1.5. The reason for this is that the score in a hockey game is relatively low and often fairly close, and scoring even a single goal can make all the difference to a match.
The +/-1.5 puck line means that the underdog (+1.5) must win outright or not lose by more than one point. In contrast, the favorite (-1.5) must win the game by two points or more for bettors backing them to win their bets.
What is a Reverse Puck Line?
So, what is a reverse puck line, and how does it work? In hockey betting, the best NHL betting sites sometimes offer a reverse puck line, and what this means is that the line of 1.5 is subtracted from the underdogs or added to the favorites instead of the other way around.
As a result, for bettors to win their wager on the underdogs, this team must beat the favorites by two points or more. Conversely, for bets on the favorites to win, that team must win the match outright or not lose by more than one goal.
Typically, a reverse on the lines takes place when there is significant action on the line. This could be because the star player of the favorite sustains an injury or the underdog is playing a home game, and the public has bet heavily on this team to win.
Handy Tip:
While bettors typically back the favorite, there are several reasons why they may back the underdog and lead to the line being reversed. To learn more about underdog betting, check out our guide.
What is an Alternate Puck Line?
Alternative puck lines give bettors options other than the standard +/-1.5 line. To find these alternative options, click on the game listing, and you can then view these lines, along with other props, etc.
These other options offer bettors the chance to either change things up and wager on the favorite as the underdog or bet on a wider margin of victory. But keep in mind that the further you move from the original margin, the more the odds will move too. However, as you can see from our example below, the odds on alternate lines are often far more lucrative because of the added risk.
Is the Puck Line Always the Same for Puck Line Betting?
Generally, the line remains the same (+/-1.5) when betting on hockey. This is mostly because the score in hockey games is relatively low, and even a single goal could sway the game.
However, one area where you can find lines other than +/-1.5 is under the alternate lines section on the sportsbook (you can click the game line to see these), where players can discover higher lines with increased odds.
Puck Line vs Moneyline
When it comes to picking whether to wager the puck line vs the moneyline, there is no right or wrong choice.
If you find it easier or more appealing to put your money on the team you predict will win the game outright, then the moneyline is the better option for you. In contrast, those bettors who thrive on strategy may find puck line betting more appealing.
In most cases, the teams paired up in matches will give a good indication about which is the better line to take. For instance, in a situation where you are confident about how you think the score will settle, then the puck line may be a great choice, especially if the odds are better than the moneyline. But, if you’re unsure about the margin of victory, sticking with the moneyline is the more profitable option.
Puck Line Betting Strategies – Making the Most of Puck Line Bets
Puck line betting can take some time to get used to before you make a profit. However, while practice makes perfect, having a few strategies can help you get there a little faster. So, to help you out, we offer you our best puck line wagering tips below:
Tip One: Do Your Research
Before placing your puck line bets, take the time to get to know the different teams (especially if you’re new to hockey betting), browse their stats, and look into how they fare against the team they are up against. Doing the research makes it much simpler to get a feel for the possible outcome and make more accurate predictions and bets. Typically, the best NHL betting sites offer the latest news and stats on these teams.
Tip Two: Shop the Lines
Since the best offshore sportsbooks and regulated bookies set their own odds, there is often a chance that these will differ, providing bettors with the chance to take advantage of the best options and higher payouts. As a result, we recommend looking around at the varying odds different sportsbooks provide before placing your bet.
Tip Three: Take Note of Recent Happenings
Ice hockey is a high-injury sport, with players taking on injuries and often having to sit out of games. Changes to the lineup like this could and will easily and quickly affect the odds and which team is placed as the favorite, so keep an ear to the ground and take some time before placing your bets too soon.
Tip Four: Check out the Trends
While some teams often cover the spread (meet the 1.5 point goal), others, despite being the favorite, are known for one-goal games. Following a team’s trends can make it easier to pick an accurate puck line wager.
How to Place a Puck Line Bet
Before placing a puck line bet, bettors first need to create an account with an online sportsbook, claim a sign-up bonus, and deposit funds into their new betting account. However, this is quick and easy to do, and we take you through the process in a few short steps.
While we use BetOnline in our example, most sportsbooks offer a similar registration setup, so you can use this guide to help you sign up with any other BetOnline alternatives you may decide to use.
Step One – Register with BetOnline
Open the BetOnline website and click the green “Join” button. Next, complete your details on the registration form that opens, and come up with a username and password. Then, click “Create Account.”
Step Two – Get Verified
Once you’ve registered your account, BetOnline emails you a verification link which you must click to activate your new profile. After you’ve done this, use your new credentials to sign back into BetOnline’s website and access your profile.
Step Three – Make Your First Deposit
Next, it’s time to deposit funds. So, click the blue “Banking” button on the homepage. Then, select your payment method from the dropdown menu on the cashier page that opens, and type in the amount you want to deposit. Your next step, is to type your BetOnline promo code “BOL1000” in the promo code box provided. Only then should you click “Deposit Now” and follow the prompts to finish making your deposit.
Step Four – Choose Your Sport
Click on the “Sports” tab on the BetOnline homepage. Then, select the hockey tab to find the game you want to place your puck line bets on.
Step Five – Place Your Wager
Once you have selected the game, click on the puck line betting option for the team you want to back to populate your bet slip with the relevant details. Next, add the amount you wish to wager onto your bet slip. Then, click “place bet,” and you’re done!
The Pros and Cons of the Puck Line
Puck line bets offer bettors a unique way of backing their favorite hockey teams in an instance where the moneyline doesn’t offer the greatest odds or where a bettor may be looking for more of a challenge. While these lines have several benefits, they have a few disadvantages too, which we cover below:
Pros:
- Provides more exciting odds
- Can be used in live betting
- Offers more of a challenge for pro bettors
- You can back the underdog and have better chances of winning
Cons:
- The lines with these bets are always the same except for alternate bets
- New bettors may find these lines confusing at first
Puck Line Betting Conclusion
Puck line betting offers bettors an alternative way in which to back the favorite or the underdog, other than predicting which team will win the game. Here, the bettor wagers by how much their hockey team will win or lose the match, offering more of a challenge and more competitive odds.
