Ice hockey betting

An ice hockey game is three periods of 20 minutes of playing time. In many leagues a game level after 60 minutes goes to a short overtime and, if still level, a shootout. In the NHL regular season that overtime is five minutes played three on three; in the playoffs, teams play full periods until someone scores.

That matters for how a bet is settled. The three-way match result is decided on regular time, so a draw is a possible result. A two-way winner market that includes overtime and the shootout always has a winner. Each market says which it is.

Markets you usually see

• Match result - home, draw or away after regular time.
• Winner including overtime - which team wins the game, however it ends.
• Puck line - a handicap, usually a start of a goal and a half.
• Total goals - over or under a line of goals.

Competitions

The NHL is the biggest league, with the Stanley Cup as its prize. In Europe the KHL, Sweden's SHL, Finland's Liiga, Germany's DEL, Switzerland's National League and the Czech Extraliga run through the winter, and national teams meet at the IIHF World Championship every spring.

Questions people ask

Does overtime count in hockey bets?

It depends on the market. The three-way match result is settled on regular time only; a winner market that includes overtime and the shootout says so in its name.

What is the puck line?

Hockey's handicap: one team gives a start in goals, most often a goal and a half.

Can I bet on hockey live?

Yes. Live games appear at the top of this page with prices that move after goals, penalties and as the clock runs down.

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