How to Bet on Hockey

Even though four games were played over the weekend, tonight marks the official start of the National Hockey League for the majority of fans. There are four games on Thursday's schedule, including a pair of nationally televised games on Versus.

Hockey betting trails the other three major sports by a substantial margin, something that can work to the benefit of hockey bettors, as the oddsmakers don't spend nearly the same amount of time creating odds on hockey as they do for football or basketball and are more likely to post a bad number.

Baseball bettors will find that wagering on hockey works on the same principles and should have no trouble making the transition to betting on the NHL.

Those who have never placed a wager on a hockey game can learn the basics of betting "The Coolest Game on Ice" by reading How to Bet on Hockey.

Photo: New Jersey's Dainius Zubrus works over New York's Brandon Dubinsky in a game last season.. (Photo by Jim McIsaac/Getty Images)