NHL Betting Advice & Betting Systems

Glossary of NHL Betting Terms

July 12, 2024

To make informed wagers, understanding the terminology of NHL betting is crucial.

This glossary covers some of the better known NHL betting terms, from moneyline and puck line to futures and prop bets, giving you the knowledge to enhance your chance of winning.

1. Against the Spread (ATS)

A betting option that considers the point spread. Bettors wager on whether a team will cover the spread.
- Example: If the New York Rangers are favored by 1.5 goals against the Chicago Blackhawks, a bet on the Rangers ATS means they must win by at least 2 goals.

2. Bankroll

The total amount of money a bettor has set aside specifically for betting purposes.
- Example: A bettor sets aside $500 as their bankroll for the NHL season.

3. Bookmaker (Bookie)

An individual or organization that accepts and pays out bets on sporting events.

4. Chalk

A term used to describe the favorite in a betting matchup.

5. Closing Line

The final odds or point spread available before the game starts.
- Example: The closing line for a game might show the Toronto Maple Leafs as -150 favorites just before puck drop.

6. Decimal Odds

A format for displaying odds, commonly used in Europe and Canada, where the number represents the total payout including the original stake.
- Example: Decimal odds of 2.50 mean a $10 bet would return $25 ($10 stake + $15 profit).

7. Dime Line

A betting line with a 10-cent difference between the favorite and the underdog.
- Example: If the favorite is -120, the underdog would be +110, making it a dime line.

8. Draw

A betting option where bettors can wager on the game ending in a tie after regulation time.

9. Favorite

The team expected to win the game, often indicated by negative odds.

10. Futures Bet

A wager placed on an event occurring in the future, such as which team will win the Stanley Cup.

11. Handicap

A method used to even the playing field between two teams by giving the underdog a points advantage.
- Example: Handicapping a game by giving the Ottawa Senators a +1.5 goal start against the Boston Bruins.

12. Head-to-Head

A bet on the outcome of a specific matchup between two players or teams.

13. Moneyline

A type of bet where the bettor picks which team will win the game outright, without any point spread.

14. Over/Under (Total)

A bet on whether the total number of goals scored in a game will be over or under a specified number.
- Example: Betting the over/under on a game between the Montreal Canadiens and the Vancouver Canucks set at 5.5 goals.

15. Puck Line

A form of point spread betting specific to hockey, usually set at +/- 1.5 goals.
- Example: Betting on the Boston Bruins -1.5 means they must win by 2 or more goals to cover the puck line.

16. Push

When a bet ends in a tie, and the bettor’s stake is returned.
- Example: Betting on an over/under of 6 goals, and the final score is 4-2, resulting in a push.

17. Parlay

A single bet that links together multiple individual bets. All bets must win for the parlay to payout.

18. Prop Bet (Proposition Bet)

A bet on specific events or outcomes within a game, such as which player will score the first goal.

19. Sharp

A knowledgeable and experienced bettor who often places large wagers and moves betting lines.

20. Square

A casual or inexperienced bettor.

21. Steam

Rapid movement in betting lines caused by a large number of bets being placed on a specific side.

22. Straight Bet

A bet on a single game or event, as opposed to a parlay or other combination bet.

23. Teaser

A type of parlay bet that allows the bettor to adjust the point spread in their favor in exchange for a lower payout.

24. Unit

A standard measure of the size of a bet, often used to keep track of wins and losses relative to the bettor’s bankroll.
- Example: If a bettor’s unit is $10, a 5-unit bet means they are betting $50.

25. Vigorish (Vig)

The commission or fee charged by a bookmaker for accepting a bet, vigorish in betting is also known as “juice.”
- Example: If the bookmaker takes a 10% vig, a $100 bet might cost $110 to place.

26. Value Bet

A bet where the odds are in the bettor’s favor, meaning the potential payout is greater than the risk.
- Example: Finding value in betting on the underdog St. Louis Blues at +200 when you believe they have a strong chance to win.

27. Opening Line

The initial odds or point spread set by the bookmaker when betting on a game first becomes available.

28. Live Betting (In-Play Betting)

Betting on a game while it is in progress, with odds and lines that change dynamically.

29. Cover

When a team wins by more than the point spread, or an underdog loses by less than the spread.
- Example: The Toronto Maple Leafs win by 3 goals when they were favored by 1.5, thus covering the spread.