Do You Need to be a Sports Expert to Bet on the NHL?
The National Hockey League is one of the biggest sports league in the USA and Canada, and the biggest hockey league in the world. Consisting of 25 American teams and seven Canadian teams, NHL games attract hardcore fans from both countries, who then develop further interest in the sport.
Anyone who knows the history of ice hockey knows the sport began in Canada. So, it is unsurprising that Canadians have a long-standing love for hockey. In fact, the Canadian national hockey team is frequently ranked among the “Big Six” of hockey. The remaining members of the “Big Six” include the following:
- The Czech Republic
- Finland
- Russia
- Sweden
- The United States of America
The popularity of hockey in Canada makes NHL games a popular draw among bettors. And with sports betting recently being legalized in the country, many Canadians are just discovering a love of wagering.
However, some fans of the NHL may be discouraged from betting for one reason or another. Some think they don’t have enough experience. Others believe they need to thoroughly study the sport. And while a knowledge of sports and experience betting is helpful, it is not absolutely necessary. In this article, we are going to talk about the things you need in order to be a successful NHL bettor.
Do You Need to be an Expert on Sports?
Before we get to what you need, let us discuss whether an expertise is absolute necessary. Of course, a thorough knowledge and understanding of the sport you are betting on is always a plus. However, to say you need an expertise is perhaps an over-exaggeration. All you really need is basic knowledge of the sport that you can attain just by being a fan. After all, most sports bettors are not hockey experts.
So, if an expertise is not what you need, then what is necessary? Well, in this article, we are going to go over what you need in order to bet on hockey, and sports in general. So, without further ado, let us get into the nitty gritty.
A Love of the Sport
Some bettors will say that you don’t need to be a fan to be a successful bettor. However, we would argue that fans have a better understanding of the sport they are betting on than non-fans. It is true that a non-fan could have guessed that the Golden Knights would have knocked out the Edmonton Oilers just based on the odds alone. However, a fan who has been following both teams could have been a lot more certain about this outcome.
Not to mention, odds aren’t always a correct way to determine a winner. Sometimes, the underdog team can surprise us, and rise to the top. Such was the case in the 2019 NBA championship final, when the Toronto Raptors shocked the world and defeated the Golden State Warriors and won the trophy. That being said, the odds are rarely wrong. Which brings us to our next point.
Reading Odds
Learning to read the odds is absolutely necessary if you want to bet on the NHL. The odds not only tell you which team has the better shot at winning a game, but they also denote how much money you can win by placing a wager. There are multiple terms that you absolutely have to be familiar with when it comes to NHL betting. So, if that is something you are interested in, make sure you familiarize yourself with the following:
- Point Spread
- Moneyline
- Over/Under bets
- Team Props
- Player Props
Bankroll Management
The first thing every new bettor will hear is the term “bankroll management.” For those who don’t know, the term bankroll refers to the amount of money you’ve set aside for gambling or betting. So, bankroll management simply means that bettors should learn how to properly manage their money, and ensure they stay ahead of any potential losses.
Some simple bankroll management tips include things like setting aside money you can afford to lose, limiting the amount of cash you bet each day/week/month, and never exceeding the amount you’ve set aside. All of these are simple and manageable tasks that any new bettor can understand.
A Good Bookie
Of course, an important aspect of betting is the sportsbook you’ve selected. While land-based bookmakers are still popular, in 2023 most people prefer to bet online. However, not every online sportsbook is trustworthy and reliable. So, in this section of the article, we would like to go over a couple of things you can do to locate reputable sportsbooks online.
- Look for a license
Licenses are mandatory. If the bookie you’ve found is not licensed, that means that they have not been reviewed by any authority, and therefore are unregulated. In other words, they are free to set unfair odds, which will not favor the bettors. The best licenses come from European Union countries like Malta and Cyprus. However, you can also trust Caribbean-issued licenses, especially Curacao, as they take online gambling and sports betting very seriously.
- Look for Bonuses
Many sportsbooks offer some excellent bonus promotions. Popular bonuses include welcome offers, loyalty bonuses, VIP rooms, and more. A website that offers frequent and generous bonuses is likely a lot more reputable than those that don’t.
- Look for Different Payment Options
Finally, you will want to look into different payment options. Even if you’ve already settled on a preferred method, websites that have multiple options are likely a lot more reputable than those that only allow credit/debit card deposits. Popular payment methods in 2023 include e-wallets and cryptocurrency.
Final Thoughts
The National Hockey League is one of the most beloved and top-rated hockey leagues in the world. Especially popular in the USA and Canada, the NHL draws in a huge amount of gamblers who want to try their hand at sports betting. And while a hockey expertise may not be necessary, there are certain things you need to know before you wager. So, we hope this article has helped you to better understand the world of NHL betting.
