Betting on Totals
Betting on totals greatly differ from betting on the puckline and moneyline. This is due to the fact that it has nothing to do with predicting the team that will win a particular game. The only thing that matters on betting on totals is the number of combined goals scored by both teams during the entire game. Like in other sports betting strategies, betting on totals is commonly referred as betting the “over/under.” This makes sense considering that you are doing what exactly is done in other sport betting strategies. Placing the bet on the totals requires you to get a hunch based on the information provided by the NHL sportsbook.
NHL sportsbooks will provide you with a set of numbers for the numbers of goals made in each game that has passed. Sports handicappers and bettors will then decide if the goals to be scored in the game will be over or under the posted total of the sportsbooks.
A good example of betting on totals is stated below;
NHL Team 1 (Over -145)
NHL Team 2 (Under +125)
In this given example, the NHL sportsbooks have set the totals at 5. Whereas, the final score of the game was NHL Team 1 is 4 and NHL Team 2 are 3. Bettors that bet for Over will receive payouts as 4+3 = 7 that is actually Over 5 goal totals scored in the entire game. But if the final score of NHL Team 1 is 2 and NHL Team 2 are 1, then bettors that placed their bets “under” will receive payouts. This is how simple betting on totals works and pays out for winning bets.
Betting on totals is often confusing as the combined scores of both teams can total at 5. In this case, the numbers of scores by both teams is equal to the total set by the NHL sportsbooks. This result is called “push.” The bettor will receive their wagers back. However, most totals set by NHL sportsbooks are set to 5, so a push is quite uncommon. Most teams competing in NHL will not always score 3 and 2 goals irrespectively.
Bettors are also required to check the posted odds beside the total when betting on totals. This is highly essential as the odds usually differ from game-to-game. At the example stated above, the Over is at -145 while the under totals are at +125. Most sportsbooks expect that the numbers of goals that will be scored in the game will go higher that’s why they are giving higher odds. This action of sportsbooks makers highly affects the payouts that you will receive. That’s why it is important that you examine both the odds and total carefully before placing your bets. Betting on hockey is among the most fascinating sports betting to beat as this is a fairly predictable sport. If you know exactly to play the game and how to make bets, there are no chances of getting beaten and winning the prices at stake at the money lines.
