Ice Hockey Betting: Markets, Odds and How to Bet

Ice hockey betting covers the markets offered in professional hockey, from single NHL games to the outright winner of a whole tournament. This page explains how those markets work, how to read ice hockey odds in fractional format, the main competitions and how their markets differ, and how to place a bet, all written as editorial guidance for UK customers.

Betway prices ice hockey across the NHL in North America, top European leagues including Sweden's SHL, Finland's Liiga and Germany's DEL, the Champions Hockey League, the women's PWHL, and the IIHF World Championship. Whether you are backing a side in a Stanley Cup playoff run or following the international game, the sections below set out the market types, fractional odds with worked examples, competition differences, in-play and Cash Out, settlement rules for overtime and shootouts, and answers to common questions.

How ice hockey betting works (common market types)

Ice hockey betting is built around a handful of core markets.

Match betting, often called the moneyline, is a straight pick of the winner. On most NHL and North American markets the moneyline includes overtime and the shootout, so there is no draw. A favourite might be around 4/6 and an underdog 11/8.

The puck line is the sport's handicap, almost always set at 1.5 goals. Backing a favourite at -1.5 needs them to win by two or more, which lengthens the price; an underdog at +1.5 covers by losing by one or winning, which shortens it. Totals, or over/under, ask whether the combined goals finish above or below a set figure such as 5.5.

Period betting prices a single period rather than the full game, with its own result and totals markets. Accumulators, or accas, combine several selections into one bet where the odds multiply but every leg must win, while a bet builder lets you combine markets from the same game, such as a team to win and over 5.5 goals.

Understanding ice hockey odds (fractional odds explained)

Ice hockey odds on GB pages are shown as fractions, which state profit against stake rather than total return. The left figure is the profit, the right is the stake it relates to.

At 6/4, a £4 bet returns £6 profit, so £10 comes back. At 2/1, a £10 bet returns £20 profit, for £30 back. At 5/6, an odds-on price, a £6 bet returns £5 profit. To turn ice hockey betting odds into an implied probability, divide the right figure by the sum of both: 6/4 is 4 divided by 10, or 40 percent; 2/1 is 1 divided by 3, about 33 percent; 5/6 is 6 divided by 11, about 55 percent. The prices across a market add up to more than 100 percent because of the bookmaker's margin.

Ice hockey odds move before and during a game. A confirmed starting goaltender, a late injury or the weight of money shifts a pre-match price, while in-play odds change with every goal, since one goal can swing a low-scoring game.

Major competitions and how markets differ (NHL, European leagues and the IIHF)

Market depth and behaviour change with the competition. The NHL is the deepest, with match markets, puck lines, totals, period betting, player props and season-long futures. NHL odds for outrights such as the Stanley Cup, conference and division winners stay live across the season, while match markets open closer to each game. The NHL Playoffs and the Stanley Cup Playoffs draw the heaviest interest and the widest markets.

European leagues such as Sweden's SHL, Finland's Liiga and Germany's DEL, plus the Champions Hockey League, carry match betting, puck lines and totals, with title futures. Liquidity is usually lower than the NHL, so prices can move more sharply on team news.

World Championship and World Cup hockey odds

International hockey has its own markets. The IIHF World Championship is the annual May tournament, won by Finland in 2026, where world cup hockey odds centre on the outright tournament winner, group winners and medal markets. Unlike league markets, they price a short knockout event, so favourites shorten quickly through the bracket. The World Cup of Hockey, an NHL best-on-best event, returns in 2028, while the Olympic tournament, won by the United States in 2026, is the other major international draw.

How to bet on ice hockey: placing a bet, in-play and Cash Out

To bet on ice hockey at Betway, sign in, open the ice hockey section and choose a competition and event. Then:

1. Select the market you want, such as match result, puck line or totals.
2. Enter your stake on the bet slip.
3. Check the odds and confirm the bet.

In-play, or live, betting lets you bet while a game is on, with prices updating period by period. Cash Out, where offered, lets you settle a bet before the final whistle for a value based on the current odds.

In-play example

Say you back a team in the moneyline. If they concede first, their in-play price drifts longer; if they then level, it shortens again. Where Cash Out is available, you could take the current value to settle early, subject to the terms on your bet slip.

How ice hockey bets settle: overtime and shootouts

Settlement depends on the market. A standard match or moneyline bet usually counts overtime and the shootout, so it settles on the final result with no draw. A three-way or regulation-time market settles on the score after 60 minutes only, where a draw is one of the three outcomes, so an overtime or shootout result does not change it. Totals and puck line markets normally include overtime unless the rules state otherwise, while period markets settle on that period alone. Check the market rule before betting, since leagues handle overtime differently.

Frequently asked questions about ice hockey betting

Is ice hockey betting available in the UK at Betway?

Yes. Betway is licensed and regulated in Great Britain by the Gambling Commission and offers ice hockey betting to customers aged 18 and over. Markets cover the NHL, top European leagues such as the SHL and Liiga, the IIHF World Championship and more, shown in fractional odds.

How do fractional odds work for ice hockey?

Fractional odds show profit against stake. At 6/4, a £4 bet returns £6 profit plus your £4 stake, so £10 in total. At 2/1, a £10 bet returns £20 profit. To find the implied chance, divide the right figure by the sum of both, so 6/4 is about 40 percent.

What does +200 mean in ice hockey odds?

The +200 format is American odds, common on North American sites. It means a £10 bet returns £20 profit, the same as fractional 2/1, and implies roughly a 33 percent chance. Betway shows ice hockey odds in fractional form for UK customers, so you will see 2/1 rather than +200.

What is the puck line in ice hockey betting?

The puck line is ice hockey's handicap, usually set at 1.5 goals. Backing a favourite at -1.5 means they must win by two or more. Backing an underdog at +1.5 means they cover by losing by one or winning outright. It offers an alternative to the match or moneyline market.

How do overtime and shootouts affect ice hockey bets?

It depends on the market. A standard match or moneyline bet usually includes overtime and the shootout, so it settles on the final result. A separate three-way or regulation-time market settles on the score after 60 minutes only, where a draw is possible. Always check the market rule.

What ice hockey tournaments can I bet on?

Beyond the NHL and European leagues like the SHL, Liiga and DEL, you can bet on the IIHF World Championship, won by Finland in 2026, and international events such as the World Cup of Hockey, which returns in 2028. Outright winner markets open well ahead of each tournament.

Where bookmakers differ: markets, limits and competition coverage

Operators vary in how they price and cover ice hockey, even on the same game. The main differences are market depth, how many leagues and tournaments are covered, the range of in-play and player prop markets, and how quickly live prices update. Licensing matters too: in Great Britain, look for regulation by the Gambling Commission. This is what customers typically weigh up when choosing where to bet, rather than any single price. It is general information, not a recommendation of one operator over another.

Further reading and related topics

For the detail behind ice hockey betting markets, see the Betway betting rules and the Cash Out guide. To follow live games, visit in-play betting, and for season-long markets see NHL betting.