Who should make use of the comparison? – Both experienced and new hockey fans will be able to find the right hockey sportsbook
If you are an experienced hockey fan, who has been betting on the sport for many years using both retail and online, you will know that there is no shortage of options available. Almost every sportsbook that is licensed to operate in your state, will have some hockey coverage, but as you might already know from bitter experience, all operators are not the same.
This can mean that you can spend more time than you’d like going from sportsbook to sportsbook, checking out the hockey markets and seeing if they fit the bill. The thing is, after you’ve done this once, you learn two things; firstly, that some operators are better than others, and secondly, next time you want somebody else to do all of that legwork for you.
New sportsbook users
If you’re new to the world of betting on hockey, you won’t know any of this, but what you will know is that there is a lot of choice, and having no experience, you won’t have the first idea where to start. What you are looking for then, is an expert eye to guide you past all of the potentially expensive mistakes and give you some serious pointers about where you should be looking to place your first hockey sportsbook bet.
Again, you won’t want to go around each of the sportsbooks available in your state, not only because it will take you time and all you really want to do is get started, but also because you won’t really know what you are looking at, especially when it comes to the bonuses involved.
So, regardless of where you happen to be in terms of experience, using the best betting sites is a must. Make sure you read our reviews, they provide a valuable guide for newbies, or an excellent way for more experienced users to find exactly what they are looking for.
Operator checklist: 5 things we look for when rating hockey sportsbook operators
Here at the TheGruelingTruth.com we check out all of the operators you are likely to see when you are searching for new betting sites. We carry out detailed, objective examinations using a team of experts that are experienced bettors themselves and will be looking at all of the same things that you would look for yourself, and more besides. Here are five of the areas we routinely check out in depth for each operator we review, rate and report back on for you:
#1 Is the operator legit?
It’s the first question on your lips so it’s the first thing we check out as well. We see if the operator’s license is in order to operate in your state, and if their online reputation (or that of their parent company) raises any red flags.
#2 Will your money be safe?
We look at site encryption, if your payments are secure and how your funds are protected while they are with the operator, as well as how easy it is to deposit and withdraw from your hockey sportsbook account.
#3 Are the bonuses as good as they look?
All bonuses look good – they are designed to tempt you in after all – but are they really worth your while once you’ve signed up? And how much of that huge sum you saw when you signed up, is likely to be there at the end?
#4 Are customer support any good?
Almost all of your hockey sportsbook experience will be trouble free, but on the occasions when things don’t work how they should, you need customer support to give you quick and useful answers. We report back if this is the case over live chat, email and phone (if available).
#5 What else is in it for you?
Bonuses attract you in the short term, but if you intend on hanging around, we report back on other promotions, VIP programs and loyalty schemes – so you can judge for yourself if it’s worth staying or looking for somewhere new.
Editor’s recommendation – which is the best hockey sportsbook operator
When making a recommendation for the best hockey sportsbook, there are many things to take into account. They need to be the type of big name that inspires confidence from new bettors, have a large range of markets across not only hockey but other sports as well, and of course tick all of the boxes that we detailed in the previous section.
Currently, our highest rated operator is Caesars. As you know, they don’t come much bigger than this operator, and Caesars operates across a number of states. Even if sports betting is new where you are, you can be assured that they have the pedigree to do things right.
Our reviewers rated Caesars at 98 out of 100, which makes it outstanding according to all of the criteria we check, including having a generous and straightforward bonus. Depending on what offer you go for (we realize that hockey might not be the only thing you like to place a wager on) the bounty can be as high as $1000 if you choose to open an account.
Finding the right operator for you – how we can help you find the best hockey sportsbook in your state
By now, you know that finding the right hockey sportsbook might not be nearly as simple as you first hoped. Of course, you could just opt for the first one you see, or the one with the biggest bonus, but there is a chance that without doing any research, you could be making a time consuming, and possibly costly mistake. So, if you are looking for some guidance, but for some reason our editor’s recommendation is not right for you, there is an alternative.
As we mentioned earlier, here at TheGruelingTruth.com, we review all of the operators you are likely to see online. Not only that, but we also rate and compare them so you can see at a glance which operators are at the top, and which are the ones you might want to check out last of all. This can provide you with a handy shortlist for you to check, rather than going around each one individually, meaning you spend less time looking and more time doing what you wanted to do, which is betting on hockey.
5 ultimate tips for using the best operators – how to make the most of your new hockey sportsbook account
Once you’ve found the right operator for you, there are some things you need to know that are essential if you are to make informed decisions on placing the right hockey sportsbook bets. While this might seem like it is aimed only at beginners, it could also be worth remembering that in the betting world everyday is a school day and there might be something here that even the most experienced bettors find useful.
Analysis pre and post game
For all sports, but for hockey in particular, examining what has happened before can give you an insight into what might happen this time. Check the previous head-to-heads, the last few results for each team and look for any significant team changes that might affect the outcome.
Know your metrics
As a natural follow on from the last point, there are specific hockey metrics you need to know while the game is in progress; like what the Corsi and Fenwick percentages are, how the current score affects a team’s tactics (i.e. a team leading will be less offensive as they do not need to score again, whereas the opposite will apply for the other team) and how many goals you might expect from a game like this.
Use the Puckline
The Puckline is just another term for the handicap and sits at 1.5 regardless of which teams are playing. This can mean the potential for a value bet can be found there.
Who is in goal?
To some the goalie in hockey is every bit as important as the quarterback in football or the pitcher in baseball. For that reason, looking at who is in goal can vastly affect the odds you are looking at, so a good bet might not seem quite as good when you look a bit deeper.
Make the most of Power Plays
This is when one team is a player down after they have been penalized, and who this is (and when in the game it happens) can have a massive effect on the outcome.
Conclusion – helping your find the best hockey sportsbook by doing the legwork for you
After reading this guide, you now know that finding the right hockey sportsbook operator can be hard – but it doesn’t have to be. While you can spend hours looking for the right operator or , here at TheGruelingTruth.com we rate and review each of them, effectively doing your homework for you.
You can use this comparison if you are a new user looking for some expert guidance. You might be a seasoned bettor looking for a new hockey sportsbook or hockey betting apps and wanting to get going as quickly as possible. For easy reference, there is our editor’s recommendation, which should tick every box, or if you have a handy checklist you can decide for yourself.
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Hockey sportsbook FAQ
💭 Which is the best hockey sportsbook in my state?
Finding the best hockey sportsbook is not easy, as what makes something the ‘best’ will vary between each person. However, our expert team of reviewers will look at the same things you would, and report back and rate everything they find, so by checking out the latest reviews, you should find out everything you need to know.
🤔 Where can I find the biggest hockey sportsbook bonus?
Sportsbook bonuses are made to attract new customers, and to do this they will often offer large sums as a deposit match or risk-free bet. However, biggest does not always equal best, and by reading the latest hockey sportsbook reviews, you can see for yourself what the wagering requirements are before signing up.
💡How long do hockey sportsbooks take to pay out?
One of the most important things about betting online is knowing that when you want to withdraw your winnings, the operator won’t find any excuse to hold onto your money for a bit longer. By reading the latest hockey sportsbook reviews, you’ll be able to see easily which operators make the grade, and which ones you might be better off avoiding.
🗬 How do I know if a hockey sportsbook is licensed in my state?
With the different legislation in place for each state, it’s hard to know which operators are legit where you are. By using a reliable source like TheGruelingTruth.com to do your research for you, you can typically see from the reviews if a hockey sportsbook is licensed to operate in your state.
✔️ Which hockey sportsbook markets are the best to bet on?
Online sportsbooks will offer a range of markets for hockey, and with so much choice it can often be confusing. While what you bet on is up to you, there are some useful tips available in our free online hockey sportsbook guide here at TheGruelingTruth.com
