Puck Line Bet

What is Puck Line?

In hockey betting, puck line is a type of point spread that is used to even out the odds between the two teams playing. Outside of hockey, you’ll recognize this bet line as spread or handicap betting. The puck line is set by bookmakers and represents the number of goals that one team must win by or the number of goals the other team must lose by, in order for the bet to be a winner.

For example, let’s say the puck line for a hockey game is set at +1.5 for Team A and -1.5 for Team B. If you bet on Team A, they must win the game by at least two goals for your bet to be a winner. If you bet on Team B, they must win the game by at least two goals for your bet to be a winner. If the game ends in a tie or if the margin of victory is less than the puck line, the bet is a push and the money is returned.

Puck line betting is a popular way to bet on hockey games because it allows bettors to get closer to even odds on both teams and adds an extra element of excitement to the game, especially in this era of pulling the goalie with 3+ minutes left and the possibility of empty net goals. It is important to note that the puck line is different from the moneyline, which simply requires the bettor to pick the team that they think will win the game. The puck line requires a margin of victory (usually two goals but could be more in lopsided contests and international hockey events).

How to Calculate Puck Line Odds

Puck line odds are a way to handicap hockey games. Even though the puck line is a bet you can make on a hockey game, you can think about it the same way you would as taking the spread in a football game. If Team A is widely considered to be a touchdown favourite over Team B, you’ll bet Team A at -6.5 happily, be indifferent at -7, and be against them at -7.5. In hockey, the puck line is the football spread equivalent, but since a goal is 1 point and football has so many ways to score, the puck line is usually set at -1.5. This means in order to win your bet at -1.5 you will need to win the game by at least 2 goals. This of course means you’ll have to win the game in regular time as there is no way to score two goals in overtime.

The difference between money line and puck line odds will be significant as most hockey games are one goal differential affairs. Giving up 1.5 is always a sweat. But with today’s coaches using analytics and pulling goalies so early in a game, it’s often achievable if you have a team up by a goal or two to get that empty netter to cover your puck line “spread”.

Let’s assume a home team is a slight favourite to a visiting team and the money line odds are -110 for the visitors and -120 for the home team. Those teams are fairly well balanced so the puck line would probably be a significant odds improvement as the underdog, to something like +180.

The -1.5 side of the bet goes against the favourite, and the odds you get are a function of relative expectations of the teams on a given night, which again is affected by a multitude of factors like who’s in goal, did the team have a day off last night, are they coming off a win, etc.

What are the differences between puck line and moneyline?

When you’re betting a hockey game and you want to bet on a team and not the total, you can choose between the money line and the puck line.

In a puck line bet, the odds are set based on a point spread that is determined by bookmakers. The puck line represents the number of goals that one team must win by or the number of goals that the other team must lose by in order for the bet to be a winner. To place a puck line bet, you must choose a team and bet on whether they will cover the puck line or not. If your team wins by more goals than the puck line, you win the bet. If they win by fewer goals or if the game ends in a tie, your bet is a push and you receive your original bet amount back.

The money line is the odds you’ll get if you simply bet on a team to win the game. The odds will depend on how favoured the team is over another, or conversely, how much of an underdog they are expected to be against the opposing team.

A lot of things factor into the money line odds, and you usually won’t see the odds posted until the morning of a hockey game as injuries, starting goalies, recent performance of the team, road vs away games, all factor into the odds on a particular day. Selecting a money line or puck line for your hockey wager on any given evening will depend on your risk tolerance, confidence a team is in form and can cover, and your desired risk/reward tolerance.

In summary, the main difference between moneyline and puck line bets is that moneyline bets are based on which team will win the game, while puck line bets are based on a point spread and whether the chosen team will cover it or not.

What is a Three-Way Puck Line?

A three-way puck line, also known as a 3-way puck line or 3-way handicap, is a type of hockey betting market that allows bettors to place a bet on the point spread of a game, with the added option of betting on a tie.

In a three-way puck line bet, the odds are set based on a point spread that is determined by the bookmakers. The puck line represents the number of goals that one team must win by or the number of goals that the other team must lose by in order for the bet to be a winner. In addition to the traditional puck line options of ‘Team A’ and ‘Team B’, a three-way puck line also includes a third option of ‘Tie.’

Three-way puck line betting is a popular way to bet on hockey games because it allows bettors to get even odds on all three outcomes (Team A, Team B, or Tie) and adds an extra element of excitement to the game. It is important to note that the puck line odds may vary depending on where you’re betting and the specific game you are betting on.

How to Place Puck Line Bets

To place a puck line bet at LeoVegas, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Head over to LeoVegas Sports and make sure you have successfully verified and created an account and have a balance in your account.
2. Locate the hockey game you’re looking to bet on. Once you’ve selected your game, say Canucks vs Leafs, the puck line can be found under the betting market ‘Game - Including overtime’.
3. Choose your team and a pop-up will allow you to drop in your wager. When doing so, you’ll be able to instantly see your potential payout. Review your wager and hit ‘Place Bet’.

Puck Line Betting Tips

Research. Get to know the teams involved in, as stompin’ Tom Connors puts it, the good ol’ hockey game! Look for trends, patterns in performance, injuries, did the team have a night off, etc. We could go on with examples, but just know these are all factors to consider as they may affect how your chosen team will play.

Check Puck Line odds. Puck line odds can vary depending on the bookmaker you are using and the specific game you are betting on. Be sure to check the puck line odds and compare them across different books to find the best value.

Consider the moneyline. The puck line is set based on a point spread, but the money line represents the odds of each team winning the game outright. It can be helpful to consider both the puck line and the moneyline when placing a bet.

Manage your bankroll: It is important to manage your bankroll and only bet what you can afford to lose. Set limits for yourself and stick to them to avoid overspending or making impulsive bets.

Puck Line FAQ

Does puck line include overtime?

Yes, the puck line applies to the overall game - so that includes any overtime as well as shootouts.

How does puck line betting work?

Puck line betting is a way to bet on the point spread of a hockey game. The puck line represents the number of goals that one team must win by or the number of goals that the other team must lose by in order for the bet to be a winner. To place a puck line bet, you must choose a team and bet on whether they will cover the puck line or not. Puck line betting is typically offered in addition to moneyline betting, which allows bettors to bet on the outright winner of the game.

What is an Asian puck line?

Asian puck line, also known as ‘handicap’ puck line, is a type of puck line betting that is popular in Asia and other parts of the world. In an asian puck line bet, the puck line is set at a whole number rather than a half number, and the odds are adjusted accordingly. For example, an asian puck line of +1.0 for Team A and -1.0 for Team B would mean that Team A must win the game by at least two goals for the bet to be a winner, and Team B must win the game by at least two goals for the bet to be a winner. Asian puck line betting is similar to traditional puck line betting, but the odds and payouts may be slightly different.

What’s the better bet — moneyline or puck line?

The better bet will depend on your personal preferences and the specific game that you are betting on. Moneyline betting is a straightforward way to bet on the outright winner of the game, while puck line betting allows you to bet on the point spread.

Some bettors may prefer the simplicity of moneyline betting, while others may enjoy the added excitement and strategic elements of puck line betting. Ultimately, the choice between moneyline and puck line betting is a personal decision and will depend on your goals and risk tolerance as a bettor.