I am new to hockey betting ... Can anyone explain this?

**darrell74** · 10-06-11, 04:22 AM

What book are you looking at?
I want to see what you're talking about.

Every once in a while you get a book that doesn't do a good job explaining the wager options. In that case, just go to a book that doesn't try to confuse you.

**shari91** · 10-06-11, 04:32 AM

Originally posted by I'm_Lucky

Hi,

I'm new to hockey betting and was wondering if anyone could explain the following:

At my sportsbook, Pinnacle, they have 2 sections: NHL Regulation Time and NHL OT Included .. why is it that under "Handicap", the NHL Regulation Time lists it as +0.5/-0.5 and for NHL OT Included it is written as +1.5/-1.5 ? .. I thought +1.5 or -1.5 meant you win your bet if a team wins by 2 goals or loses a game by 1, depending on the side you pick ... so why not just make it +1.5/-1.5 for both NHL Regulation Time and NHL OT Included? I'm not really understanding the +0.5/-0.5...

I feel stupid for asking such a question, and maybe I'm not thinking clearly as it is 5 AM here in Toronto, lol ... but yeah, any help/explanation is appreciated, thanks guys!

Hi I'm_Lucky - the reason why the handicap is +1.5/-1.5 for OT is because if a game goes into OT, one goal is guaranteed to be scored, either in the 5 minute period of extra time or in the shootout. So the OT handicap is essentially the same as the regular time handicap but accounts for that guaranteed goal.

**I'm_Lucky** · 10-06-11, 01:40 PM

Darrell74: I'm using Pinnacle and as mentioned, they have two sections for NHL games: NHL Regulation Time and NHL OT Included

Shari91: Yeah, I understand what the +1.5/-1.5 is saying, but do you know what the +0.5/-0.5 means? How is it possible for a team lose by less than 0.5 goal? lol .. I'm soo confused

Just another question for the NHL betters out there .. do you guys usually bet regulation time only or the one that includes overtime and shootout?

**MickeyMan** · 10-06-11, 01:43 PM

The +.5, -.5 is just for regulation time. So if you take a team -.5 they have to win the game in regulation, if it goes to overtime you lose

**VegasInsider** · 10-06-11, 01:46 PM

Originally posted by I'm_Lucky

Darrell74: I'm using Pinnacle and as mentioned, they have two sections for NHL games: NHL Regulation Time and NHL OT Included

Shari91: Yeah, I understand what the +1.5/-1.5 is saying, but do you know what the +0.5/-0.5 means? How is it possible for a team lose by less than 0.5 goal? lol .. I'm soo confused

Just another question for the NHL betters out there .. do you guys usually bet regulation time only or the one that includes overtime and shootout?

I bet hockey regularly and I never play regulation only. I also play OT included. Goodluck this hockey season and be sure to check out my NHL thread starting today in the Hockey Subforum.

**stikymess** · 10-06-11, 01:47 PM

I don't want to come off as rude Lucky but do you follow hockey enough to bet on it? Is there just confusion as to how it's laid out?

**I'm_Lucky** · 10-06-11, 02:07 PM

Stikymess: Yes, it's confusing .. maybe if I provide an example of what I'm seeing, it would help:

Right now, under 'NHL Regulation Time' the following is listed for the Flyers/Bruins game:

Handicap
Flyers +0.5 -134
Bruins -0.5 +124

Moneyline
Flyers +124
Bruins -134

Now, my question is: isn't the Bruins -0.5 +124 (Handicap) & Bruins -134 (Moneyline) essentially mean the same thing? Because Bruins would have to win by one goal to hit the +124 and -134 .. so why the difference in +124 and -134?? Wouldn't everyone take the + money in this case??

I think I'm just going to stick with the 'Include Overtime' section, it makes more sense

**MickeyMan** · 10-06-11, 02:13 PM

The Bruins -.5 they have to win in regulation, the moneyline they can win in reg. or ot/shootout

**I'm_Lucky** · 10-06-11, 02:16 PM

Originally posted by MickeyMan

The Bruins -.5 they have to win in regulation, the moneyline they can win in reg. or ot/shootout

Ohhh, ok got it .. I don't know why Pinnacle shows the moneyline in both sections, makes it confusing

Thanks for the clarification!

**eldian** · 10-06-11, 02:18 PM

+0.5/-0.5 is for Regulation Time. What is the score after Regulation Time is over.

If you pick Flyers +0.5 -134 and at the end of Regulation Time if the Flyers are Tied or Won then you win your bet. Flyers would have to be losing at the end of Regulation Time for you to lose your bet.

If you pick Bruins -0.5 +124 and at the end of Regulation Time if the Bruins are Tied or Losing then you lose your bet. Bruins would have to be winning at the end of Regulation Time for you to win your bet.

**MickeyMan** · 10-06-11, 02:19 PM

The Moneyline section that Pinny has in the NHL Regulation Time section means you are betting moneyline but if it goes to OT then the bet is cancelled. In the section that says OT included then obviously the bets still stand if the game goes to extra time.

**I'm_Lucky** · 10-06-11, 02:20 PM

Originally posted by eldian

+0.5/-0.5 is for Regulation Time. What is the score after Regulation Time is over.

If you pick Flyers +0.5 -134 and at the end of Regulation Time if the Flyers are Tied or Won then you win your bet. Flyers would have to be losing at the end of Regulation Time for you to lose your bet.

If you pick Bruins -0.5 +124 and at the end of Regulation Time if the Bruins are Tied or Losing then you lose your bet. Bruins would have to be winning at the end of Regulation Time for you to win your bet.

Yup, thanks!

**stikymess** · 10-06-11, 02:22 PM

Originally posted by I'm_Lucky

Stikymess: Yes, it's confusing .. maybe if I provide an example of what I'm seeing, it would help: Right now, under 'NHL Regulation Time' the following is listed for the Flyers/Bruins game: Handicap Flyers +0.5 -134 Bruins -0.5 +124 Moneyline Flyers +124 Bruins -134 Now, my question is: isn't the Bruins -0.5 +124 (Handicap) & Bruins -134 (Moneyline) essentially mean the same thing? Because Bruins would have to win by one goal to hit the +124 and -134 .. so why the difference in +124 and -134?? Wouldn't everyone take the + money in this case?? I think I'm just going to stick with the 'Include Overtime' section, it makes more sense

Everyone beat me to it. Making more sense Lucky? Some sharp guys here. Thanks everyone for clarification.

**hels** · 10-06-11, 02:28 PM

Originally posted by VegasInsider

I bet hockey regularly and I never play regulation only. I also play OT included. Goodluck this hockey season and be sure to check out my NHL thread starting today in the Hockey Subforum.

This is actually not taking into consideration teams OT/Shootout records. The Leafs last year I think only won 2 games in OT/Shootout. I can't remember the exact number of OT losses but there is absolutely no reason to think this year they will be much improved in OT/SO. Pick them to win in regulation and it is +EV if you're giving them an edge.