It's rare to see a bet type that's exclusive to one sport, yet that's exactly what puck line šbetting is. Though similar to other wager types, it is only available on hockey. This guide will explain the puck line meaning and detail everything you need to know to take full advantage of this type of bet.
Puck Line Meaning: Quickly Explained
American sports bettors are well aware of spread betting ā a popular bet type that's great for match outcome wagers. Well, a puck line bet is essentially hockeyās answer to spread betting.
However, instead of the sportsbook providing an array of different spreads, which is common when placing spread bets on various football and basketball markets, the puck line is almost always set at +/- 1.5.
A ā-ā denotes the team thatās favored to win, whereas a ā+ā denotes the underdog. However, given that the line is set at 1.5, thereās greater variation with the odds comparešd to the lines that are set for football or basketball gšŖames.
For your puck line bet to win, the favorite must win by two or more goals, while the underdog cannot lose by more than two goals.
Puck Line Meaning: Real Example
Given hockeyās popularity in the US, sportsbooks will provide hockey markets for leagues across the globe. European leagues are covered in impressive depth, although the National Hockey League (NHL) remains the primary focus.
Puck lines are a prominent bet type for hockey betting, so sportsbooks will ensure that this market is always clearly displayed ā typically alongside moneyline and totals markets.
The above screenshot is taken from DraftKings showing the markets currently offered for the 2024 season opener between the New Jersey Devils and Buffalo ź¦Sabres. The Devils are 1.š5 favorites on the puck line at odds of +150, while Sabres are the 1.5 underdogs at -180. These odds mean that youād need to stake $180 for $100 profit if the Sabres win, and make $150 from a $100 bet if the Devils win.
By backing the Devils on the puck line, youād need them to win by at least two goals for your ą¹wager to be successful. So, if the final score is 3-1 to the Devils, your puck line bet would win.
If you back the Sabres on the puck line and they lose ź¦by one goal, draw or win the match, your bet will win.š
What Is a Puck Line Bet in Hockey?
The term āpuck lineā will only be seen in hockey betting, and is the sport's version of spread betting. While bookmakerš»s will provide āalternate puck linesā which allows bettors to back teams to win or lose with different handicap margins, the default puck line is always set at ā¤1.5.
This differs to football and basketbaāll spread betting, which sees bookies set different lines based on the matchup. Bookmakers set the line with the aim of having as close to even money on both sides ā so they canāt lose. These spreads make up for the gulf in quality between the two teams in question, and as a result, the odds are generally around the same mark.
However, a 1š °.5 spread is not always going to make up the difference in quality between two hockey teams. Therefore, the odds will differ fairly drastically from game to game.
The image above shows the first markets on offer for the 2024 NHL season. The puck line is set at 1.5 for all three games, but the odds differ. For instance, you can bacšk the St. Louis Blues (-1.5) at -230, but in another game, you can bet on the Bušøffalo Sabres to cover the spread against the New Jersey Devils at -180.
You must therefore always consider the odds when betting on the puck line.
Should You Bet Puck Lines or Moneylines?
As already discussed, a puck line bet is a type of spread bet in which youāre betting on a team to win by at least two goals, or not lose by more than two goals. If youāre betting on the underdog, they donāt actually need to win the game for your bet to win. The same goes if youāre betātingš¹ on the favorite. If they win by just a single goal, your bet is a loser.
A moneyline bet is the simplest form of bet ā youāre simply beštting on the team to win the gamše in question.
Assessing which bet type is better is tough as your chancesā¦ of making profit can differ by the game. Sports bettors, in general, prefer betting against the spread, but given that the puck line is stuck at 1.5, thereās lesās scope for variation and is therefore more predictable. Thus, puck line betting may not be quite as enjoyable as football or basketball spread betting, which are considerably higher scoring sports than hockey.
Puck line betting is undoubtedly trickier and does require deeper thinkināg, which could test keener sports bettors. There are multiple factors to consider when placing a puck line bet that are less significant with moneyline betting. Hockeyās overtime rules exclusively favor the underdog on the puck line, but the empty net ploy can help the favorite run up the score towards the end of the game.
Overall, thereās no right answer as to which bet type is better or more profitable ā puck line betting will just have you consideršing more factors.
How To Place a Puck Line Bet
The brilliance of the very best US sportsbooks is that they make it so easy for sports bettors to place their desired bets. With puck linše betting being immensely popular among hockey bettors, bookies make the process of placing these bets markedly simple.
Hereās how you can place a puck line bet with DraftKings:
Log into your DraftKings account.
(Source: DraftKings) Access the sportsbookās hockey coverage via the A-Z list down šthe left-hand side of the homepage.
(Source: DraftKings) Select wāhich hockey league youād like to ź¦bet on.
The available games will manifest down the centre of the homepage with ź¦ŗpuck lines present.
Scan the odds and choose which bet youā±'d like to place.
Your bet will land in your bet slip right away, shown in the top rź§ight-hand corner.
(Source: DraftKings) Confirm how much youād like to stake and Ü«click the green āPlace Betsā icon to finish the process.
Puck Line Meaning: Betting Tips & Strategies
As menštioned, puck line betting is a tough bet type that requires plenty oą¼ŗf thought to master. Here are four tips and strategies for mastering puck line betting:
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Analyze the odds: With the puck line always set at 1.5, the odds deviate based on the quality difference between the two teams. While youāll often see similar odds for NFL and NBA spread betting, you must consider which hockey games are boasting the greatest value when placing a puck line bešt.
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Consider overtime: There are no draws in hockey, with the two teams heading into an extended overtime period at the end of regulation if the scores are tied. However, overtime is irrelevant with two-way puck line betting, as once a team scores just one goal in overtime, the gameš is over. Thereās no chance for a team to cover the spread, with your puck line bet having already been decided if it does end a tie. These rules would favor the underdog in this betting context.
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Think about empty net goals: Itās common in soccer for teamź¦”s to concede on the counter-attack later on in games when chasing an equaliser or a winning goal. We often see something similar in hockey. Teams chasing the game may even take their goalie out and bring on another attacker to give them more impetus going forward and more of a chance of scoring. However, teams that do this can easily be caught out goiną²g the other way. Thereās more of a chance for the winning team to run up the score late on to ensure they cover the spread.
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Be aware of starting lineups: This is important no matter what sport or bet type. Youāve got to check the news for injury updates and assess the starting lineups once theyāre announced. Teams may be without their starting goalie, or their leading scorer may be on the ź¦¦sidelines. Sub-optimal team selection will alter how you place your puck šline bets.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
This guide has detailed everything there is to know about puck line betting. The form of spread betting is immensely popular among hockey bettors, with the default 1.5 line making other factors, such as the odds, even more important. While betting against the spread is always tough, isn'š¹t it such a fun way to bet?
faqs
3-way pucāk line betting introduces the draw as another option for ą·“bettors. The spread will always be a whole number and youāre essentially betting on a team to win by an exact number of goals.
Overtime is pretty irrelevant as teams can only score one goal in this period. Your two-way puck line š bet wouldāve been decided before the overtime period.
If a ā-ā comes before the 1.5, that teaš¤”m is considered the favorite and they must ļ·½win by at least two goals for your bet to win.
There is nothing toā calculateź¦« as the puck line is always set at 1.5.
Puck line betting is another form of handicap betting as youāre not š»betting on the match outcome as such. You merely need teams to win by more than two goals or not lose by more than two goals.
Alternate puck lines are the alternative spreads provided by bookmakers. If you donāt want to back a team at the 1.5 line, you can opt for a different line ā 2.5,š 3.5, 4.5, etc.