Online Field Hockey Betting Guide
Introduction to Field Hockey Betting - Field Hockey is one of the two most common types of hockey – the other being ice hockey. There are alternative forms of hockey such as roller hockey and street hockey, but it is field hockey and ice hockey that have the largest fan bases and attract the most attention. In terms of the number of people playing the game, Field hockey is actually believed to be the third highest team sport in the world – after soccer and cricket. Despite this, there are actually comparatively few full-time, professional players.
Field hockey is particularly popular in India, where the game was introduced in the late 19th Century by British servicemen. Internationally, the game is governed by the International Hockey Federation (FIH), with responsibility for the rules of the game being held by The Hockey Rules Board. Betting on field hockey is nowhere near as wide spread as some other sports, but most of the biggest online bookmakers will offer markets on major matches.
Where To Bet On Field Hockey Online
Formats of Field Hockey Games
Field hockey is played by two teams of eleven (plus substitutes) and has both male and female versions. Although many countries around the world have domestic leagues and tournaments, the international game has a far higher profile.
There are many regular international field hockey tournaments. The annual Hockey Champions Trophy has been contested since 1978 (1987 for the women) by the top ranked teams in the world and is considered a prestigious competition within the sport. Once every four years teams compete for the Hockey World Cup and the Women’s Hockey World Cup. Hockey tournaments also feature at both the Olympic Games and the Commonwealth games.
Field Hockey Bets and Wagers
Betting on field hockey at field hockey betting websites is somewhat limited when compared to other sports that have bigger online betting audiences. The range of bets available is usually quite small, and we’ve listed some of the most common betting types below.
Match Betting (Fixed Odds). As with most team sports, the match bet is the most commonly used wager at field hockey betting sites. A match bet means selecting which of the two teams you believe will win the game and placing a wager at pre-agreed odds. These odds will be presented in one of two formats – the fractional odd or the decimal odd. Fractional odds are those such as 2/1 or 5/2, while decimal odds would be 2.0, 2.5 and so on. A bet at 2/1 of 1 unit would return 2 units and the original stake. A bet at 2.0 of 1 unit would return 2 units including the original stake.
Moneyline Bet. As with match betting, the moneyline bet is where you select which team you think will win a match. For moneyline bets, an online bookmaker will set the line for the two teams. For example, Team A could be at -400 with Team B at +200. In this instance, a $4.00 bet on Team A would return winnings of $1.00, while a $1.00 bet on Team B could return $2.00 of winnings.
Futures/Outright Bets. In field hockey, this sort of bet will usually be placed on the outcome of an international tournament, such as The Hockey World Cup. An outright bet would mean predicting the overall winner of the tournament and placing your wager accordingly. If your prediction is correct, then your bet wins.
Prop Bets/Specials. These sorts of bets are also a little limited in field hockey, but there will be some markets offered by the larger online bookmakers for major hockey tournaments. An example of a prop bet might be a wager on the top scorer in the tournament.
Online Field Hockey Betting Strategy
The strategy for online field hockey betting is similar to that for many other team sports. Although you don’t necessarily need an in-depth understanding of the game to be successful at field hockey betting, some knowledge is obviously useful. Specifically, it is good to follow the form of players and teams going into a major tournament and making your bets according to that information.
As betting on field hockey at online sports betting websites is not as widespread as other sports and the betting markets a bit more limited, it is that much harder to find a value bet. Profitable field hockey betting requires a degree of patience, but be prepared to get that wager on when the time is right.
Using a trustworthy field hockey wagering site for your field hockey bets should be considered essential. It also pays to utilise good money management skills with your betting bank.