Glossary of NHL Hockey Betting Terms: A Beginner’s Guide

Date: 04.11.2025

Betting Guide

Betting on the NHL involves specialized terminology that reflects the sport’s low-scoring nature and the unique structure of its games (e.g., overtime and shootouts). Understanding these terms is the first step toward finding value in the hockey betting market.

Basic NHL Wagers and Lines

These are the primary betting options available for nearly every NHL game.

Term	Definition and Hockey Context
Moneyline	A straight wager on which team will win the game outright, including any goals scored in overtime or the shootout.
Puck Line	The hockey equivalent of a point spread. It is typically set at $\pm 1.5$ goals. The favorite ( $\mathbf{-1.5}$ ) must win by 2+ goals to cover; the underdog ( $\mathbf{+1.5}$ ) wins if they lose by 1 goal or win the game outright.
Total (Over/Under)	A bet on whether the combined number of goals scored by both teams will be Over or Under a set line (e.g., $5.5$ or $6.5$ ).
60-Minute Line	Also known as a Three-Way Market. This Moneyline-style bet excludes overtime and shootouts. Wagers are placed on a Home Win, Away Win, or a Tie (after 60 minutes of regulation play).
Alternate Lines	Variations of the standard Puck Line or Total line offered at different goal spreads (e.g., $\pm 2.5$ goals). These offer different odds (higher payout for higher risk).
Prop Bets (Proposition Bets)	Wagers on specific in-game events or individual statistics, separate from the final outcome. Examples include Player Props (Shots on Goal, Goals Scored) or Team Props (Total Team Hits).
Futures	Long-term bets on season-ending outcomes, such as the Stanley Cup Winner, Conference Champion, or player awards (Hart Trophy).
Grand Salami	A specialized Totals bet on the combined number of goals scored across all NHL games played on a single day’s slate.

Key Market Concepts and Odds

These terms relate to the pricing, commission, and movement of the betting lines.

Term	Definition and Usage
Vigorish (Vig) / Juice	The commission charged by the sportsbook, built into the odds. The standard is $-110$ (risk $\$110$ to win $\$100$ ).
Favorite	The team expected to win; indicated by negative odds (e.g., $-160$ ).
Underdog	The team expected to lose; indicated by positive odds (e.g., $+140$ ).
Value	Occurs when a bettor believes the odds are mispriced and the true probability of an outcome is greater than the implied probability of the odds. The goal of sharp bettors is always to find value.
Line Movement	When the odds on a game shift after opening, typically due to injuries, news, or a significant volume of wagers (money flow).
Reverse Line Movement	A situation where the betting line moves in the opposite direction of the majority of public bets, often signaling that Sharp Money (large bets by professionals) has been placed on the opposing side.
Pick ’em	A game where neither team is favored, and both sides have odds very close to Even Money (e.g., $-110$ / $-110$ ).
Hook	The half-goal portion of a spread (e.g., the $.5$ in $-1.5$ or $5.5$ ), used to prevent a push (tie).
Push	A bet result where the outcome lands exactly on the posted line (e.g., Total is $5.0$ and the final score is $3-2$ ). The original stake is refunded.

Strategy and Risk Management

Successful NHL bettors maintain a highly disciplined approach to managing their capital.

Term	Definition and Importance
Bankroll	The total amount of money set aside specifically for betting. Never gamble money outside of this dedicated fund.
Betting Unit	A standard, fixed amount used for every wager, typically $1\%–5\%$ of the bankroll. Used to maintain risk consistency and track performance.
Flat Betting	The strategy of wagering the same number of units on every bet, regardless of perceived confidence or the odds. This protects the bankroll from volatility.
Chasing Losses	The risky behavior of attempting to win back money quickly by increasing stakes following a loss. This is the fastest way to deplete a bankroll.
Edge	The bettor’s perceived advantage in a wager, calculated when their estimated probability of success is higher than the odds imply.
Tracking Bets	The practice of recording every wager’s details (odds, stake, result, type, and rationale) to accurately measure Return on Investment (ROI) and identify profitable/unprofitable betting patterns.
Live / In-Game Betting	Wagers placed while the game is in progress. The odds rapidly change based on momentum, goals, and penalty kill/power play situations.

Specialized NHL Concepts

While not single terms, these concepts are vital to interpreting NHL lines.

Goalie Situation Impact: The identity and recent form of the starting netminder is often the single greatest factor influencing the Moneyline and Total. Sharp bettors pay close attention to goaltender rotation and last-minute lineup changes.
Home-Ice Advantage: In the NHL, home ice subtly affects odds due to the ability of the home coach to match lines after stoppages. Its effect is often less pronounced than in basketball, but it remains a key factor alongside travel and back-to-back scheduling spots.
Derivatives: Market offerings that focus on only a segment of the game (e.g., First Period Total or Shots on Goal in the Third Period). These allow bettors to isolate edges in specific areas of the matchup.

Common Mistakes in Soccer Betting and How to Avoid Them

Winning Strategies for Betting on Soccer: A Data-Driven Approach

Top Bet Types in Soccer: Moneyline, Handicap, and More

How to Bet on Soccer: A Beginner’s Guide