Bets on esports have recently secured their spot on bookmaker websites. This was inevitable, as the popularity of esports tournaments has hit peak levels. Numerous competitions in computer games with substantial prize pools are held.
The above applies to e-hockey as well. Gamers from around the world compete in the EA Sports NHL game. Naturally, bookmakers are taking note, adding more matches and tournaments to their lines. While you could once only bet on match outcomes, bettors now have access to markets on individual periods, a variety of handicaps and totals in both pre-match and live betting. Let’s dive deeper into how to bet on e-hockey, what to consider, and which strategies are effective based on the available betting options.
What is E-Hockey?
For some bettors, wagering on NHL 20 or 21 might feel unfamiliar. Many have played the game, but betting on it isn’t always clear. When betting on traditional hockey teams, we factor in elements like player fatigue, schedule density, motivation, and league standings.
So, what should you prioritize when betting on e-hockey? First, understand that real players control the teams. It uses the EA Sports platform, with bets mainly on NHL versions from 2019, 2020, and 2021. When you check a bookmaker’s line, you’ll mostly see offerings for these editions.
Match Duration. Each period in the digital NHL lasts 1.5 minutes. You can bet live on events in upcoming segments, with the full game running 4.5 minutes. It’s wise to choose bookmakers that provide links to live streams. Sometimes, watching the action unfold can help you spot key moments that lead to profitable bets.
A new version of the NHL simulator is released each year, so keep in mind the nuances of technical plays and how gamers handle them. For bettors, though, the focus is on bookmaker odds and margins.
What Betting Options Are Available for E-Hockey at Bookmakers?
Modern bookmaker offerings include up to 50 options for digital hockey. You can bet on markets like:
- Outcomes (Team 1 win, Team 2 win, Draw);
- Totals;
- Handicaps;
- Individual totals;
- Bets on periods.
To confirm this, let’s look at a popular bookmaker’s lineup and find bets on NHL 21:
No doubt, bookmakers will expand their options in the future, drawing even more bettors to digital hockey battles.
Bets on Draws in Periods
A fascinating and effective betting strategy for e-hockey is wagering on draws in periods. After analyzing the bets, we’ve found that odds for a draw in the first period often exceed 3. For the second and third periods, odds can be even higher, but these bets typically appear only in live. Few bookmakers list them for all periods upfront.
The idea is that not every team wins the first period. Sometimes, opponents play cautiously or fail to create scoring chances early on. That’s when betting on a draw in a period at odds of 3 or more makes sense:
Here, we see odds at 3.2. You could watch the first period, and if there are few chances, bet on a draw in the second. The key is to catch higher odds. Rest assured, draw odds will always be generous, so even winning a bit less than half your bets can keep you in profit.
Predicting the outcome of every period is tough, but you don’t need to. Just pick evenly matched games, like the example above, and place your bets.
Over Total in Live
Often, periods in e-hockey matches end scoreless. However, that doesn’t mean the next ones will be goal-free. Frequently, teams ramp up after a slow start, unleashing a flurry of attacks.
Bettors who sense this pattern can cash in on over total bets. Your goal is to select games where the over total odds in live are at least 3, especially when teams have scored just one goal or none, with more than a period left.
Wait a bit for odds to hit, say, 3.5, then place your bet. Ensure the teams are motivated and creating opportunities. It’s likely they’ll heat up and score multiple times in the remaining time.
In this e-hockey betting strategy, odds are crucial. Betting at high odds gives you room for error. Of course, frequent mistakes will drain your bankroll, so choose games wisely. Use available statistics from some bookmakers, focusing on teams that often go over totals, preferably in the latter halves of matches.
On the Positive Handicap for the Trailing Team
Another solid e-hockey betting method is live bets on the positive handicap for the losing team. In live markets, find a game where one team trails by 1 or 2 goals. Check the odds for +0.5 or +1.5 handicap. If it’s over 3, go for it. Like this:
As seen, nearly a full period remains, and the odds for the handicap (+1.5) on the losing team have risen to 3.2. You’d win if they cut the deficit to the minimum. This won’t happen every game, but winning even a third of these bets can put you ahead if you bet flat. Wait for odds to climb to at least 3.5.
Is it worth diving into stats of previous matches? From our view, no. It’s better to watch the game closely and note scoring chances from the trailing team. The main thing is for them to stay motivated and avoid major errors.
How Much to Bet?
A key aspect of these e-NHL betting strategies is managing bet sizes. We recommend two approaches: standard flat betting and a modified flat with a catch-up element.
Standard Flat. This is straightforward. Fix a percentage of your current bankroll and use it for each bet. For this scenario, 3-4% works best. So, if your bankroll divides into 25 or 33 parts, that’s your bet size. Aim for a 40% success rate to earn about 20% on your turnover—a solid result.
Modified Flat. Add a catch-up twist. Start with 3% for your first bet. If the next three lose, use 4% of your current bankroll for the following three. This light catch-up means winning just one in the second series recoups your losses. The next win brings a nice profit.
If the second series also loses, start a third with 5% per bet. The goal is to end up ahead overall. Once you do, reset to 3%. This blends flat betting with catch-up—more risky but potentially more rewarding. Switch to it only after mastering standard flat and achieving consistent profits over time.
Margin. Don’t overlook bookmaker margins on odds. Many operators lower odds for e-hockey and hike margins compared to traditional sports. Look for bookmakers with margins around 6-7% specifically for e-hockey—that’s reasonable these days.
Conclusions
We’ve covered what betting on e-hockey entails, seen the markets bookmakers offer, and explored effective strategies for digital hockey. They’re quite promising.
