First Period Hockey Bets
Ice Hockey is one of the most popular sports that bettors across the US love betting on. This is because of the competitive nature of the sport, and the high level on unpredictability which makes it exciting for bettors to place wagers on the game. One kind of betting in ice hockey is the first period hockey bet, which is the wager placed on the outcome of the first period of the game. While there are a number of different bets that are placed on the game like the money line bet, the hockey puck line bet and the grand salami bet as well as bets of outcomes of various facets of an individual game, the first period bet is probably the most popular, and the most risky, since bettors will be able to get the outcome of their bet within the first 20 minutes of the game.
Every professional NHL game is played in three periods. Each of these periods consists of 20 minutes each, and the first period and the last period are usually the most crucial parts of the game. It is during these two periods that the teams have the chance to take an early lead or bridge the gap between themselves and the other team. Since there are usually 5 or 6 goals scored during an average NHL match, the scoring typically begins in the first period, and the team that has an early advantage is generally considered favorites to win the game.
Understanding the Odds
All bookmakers that offer NHL hockey betting odds offer first period hockey bets and there are odds offered for the different kinds of outcomes that are possible in the first period of the NHL game. These odds are offered for the number of goals that will be scored in the first period. Based on the two teams, their previous records, their head to head statistics, the conditions of the day, the form of various players and a number of other factors, the sportsbook will come up with a figure for the number of goals in the first period, and various odds for different outcomes of the first period. Generally speaking the better odds are offered for the least likely outcomes, which means that the bettor will have to take a larger risk in order to have a bigger win for a first period hockey bet.
First Period Hockey Betting Tips
There are a number of factors that the bettor must consider when placing a first period hockey bet. It is a good idea to check out the various conditions affecting the two teams, their form during the current season, the team lineup for a particular match and most importantly the head to head statistics, and the first period statistics for the two teams before placing a first period bet. Like with any sport, it is possible that the teams in question will do something completely out of the blue, and so the higher risk wagers could work in certain games, but generally speaking, the various factors affecting the match speak for themselves, and so the lower risk outcomes are definitely more likely.
One thing to keep in mind when making a bet on an NHL game is to make the wager within ones means. This is probably the most common mistake that people make when making inherently risky bets like a first period hockey bet. Making a first period hockey wager that is worth more than one can afford could often mean that the bettor will end up losing more than one can afford. While there is a chance that the risk taken could come good, it is still not worth staking more than necessary. As with all sports bets, it is important to remember that any outcome in the first period of a hockey game is not predictable.