The “Both Teams to Score” (BTTS) bet in hockey isn’t as popular as in football. This is because the odds for the “Yes” option are usually much lower. Hockey games are generally more high-scoring — it’s rare to see matches where one of the teams fails to score at all. Nevertheless, it’s important to understand how this market works and whether there are effective strategies for using it.
Rules for BTTS Bets in Hockey
The “Both Teams to Score” (BTTS) market in hockey works exactly the same as in football. The bookmaker offers two options — “Yes” and “No.”
If you choose “Yes,” the bet wins if neither team finishes with zero goals. When selecting “No,” the bet wins if at least one team remains goalless.
Unlike football, where cup matches may have extra time, bookmakers rarely specify this rule in hockey. In overtime, scoreless teams can only get there with a 0–0 result, and the game ends as soon as one team scores — which means “BTTS – No” wins. If the regular time ends in a scoring draw, “BTTS – Yes” wins.
Types of BTTS Bets in Hockey
The main distinction is that you can bet on the entire match or on specific periods. Period bets are available in both pre-match and live formats — an important advantage for bettors using progressive (chase) strategies.
BTTS (Yes/No) is often included in combined bets such as:
- BTTS + Home team to win;
- BTTS + Total Under 4.5;
- BTTS + Away team handicap +1.5.
Example from a Bookmaker’s Line
Let’s look at a specific example. In a KHL regular season game, Sibir Novosibirsk faces Neftekhimik Nizhnekamsk.
The bookmaker offers the following options:
- BTTS – Yes — 1.21;
- BTTS – No — 4.04;
- 1st period: BTTS Yes – 3.62, No – 1.25;
- 2nd period: BTTS Yes – 2.94, No – 1.36;
- 3rd period: BTTS Yes – 3.04, No – 1.34.
This suggests the bookmaker’s analysts don’t expect a very high-scoring match, as 1.21 is quite a high coefficient. Usually, similar markets offer odds between 1.07 and 1.15.
The high odds for the “Yes” option per period open up opportunities for long-term strategies and chase betting.
BTTS Betting Strategies in Hockey
Because this market isn’t very popular, bookmakers rarely apply a margin lower than 7%. That’s a significant drawback. In our example, the bookmaker’s margin is 7.4%. Therefore, consistent profit is difficult without proper analysis.
When analyzing matches, pay attention to:
- the form of each team’s main attacking lines;
- the skill and current performance of goaltenders;
- head-to-head statistics;
- recent scoring patterns for both teams.
In low-scoring leagues, about one in every eight or nine games ends with at least one team failing to score. In the NHL, MHL, and leagues in Germany or Switzerland, that happens roughly once every 11–12 matches.
Accumulator (Express) of 3–5 Events
With low odds but high success rates, BTTS bets can be effectively used in accumulators. Here are some approximate combinations:
- 1.20 × 1.20 × 1.20 = 1.728;
- 1.15 × 1.15 × 1.15 × 1.15 = 1.749;
- 1.10 × 1.10 × 1.10 × 1.10 × 1.10 = 1.61.
These provide acceptable odds for consistent strategy-based play. However, remember that in accumulators, the bookmaker’s margin compounds as well — which can lead to losses over time.
Single Bets (Ordinaries)
Another option is to use singles with low odds. To stay profitable with odds like 1.15–1.20, you’ll need to win at least 10 out of 11 bets — not easy even for experienced bettors. Still, with strong analytical skills, it’s achievable.
Opposite Approach
Some bettors take the opposite route and bet on BTTS – No*with odds between 4.00 and 5.50. This requires precise match selection — typically games featuring strong defenses or low motivation. However, since an underdog’s goal in hockey is often random, this strategy carries high risk.
Chase (Martingale) Strategy
One of the most practical methods for BTTS hockey betting is chasing “Yes” per period. Using our example odds (3.62, 2.94, and 3.04):
- Bet $10 on BTTS in the 1st period. If both score — win $10 × 3.62 = $36.20, net profit = $26.20.
- If it loses, bet $10 again on the 2nd period. If it wins — $10 × 2.94 = $29.40, net profit = $9.40.
- If both lose, bet $15 on the 3rd period. If it wins — $15 × 3.04 = $45.60, net profit = $10.60.
If all three lose, you can either accept the $35 loss or continue the series in another match. The key is knowing when to stop to avoid heavy losses. With odds around 3.00, it’s not necessary to double each bet — increasing by 1.4–1.5× is usually enough.
Formula for chase calculations:
S = (P + L) / (K – 1), where
- S – the amount of the next bet;
- P – the desired profit for the series;
- L – the total amount already wagered;
- K – the odds of the next selection.
This formula makes the approach more predictable and structured.
Be cautious, however — many bookmakers limit maximum bets for players using chase systems. Find one that allows this strategy.
Pros and Cons of BTTS Betting in Hockey
The main drawback is the high bookmaker margin, typically 8–10%. This is due to the market’s low popularity and one-sided nature.
As a result, the main BTTS market offers low odds unsuitable for long-term profit. However, betting by periods rather than on the whole match changes the picture. In many less prolific leagues, BTTS (Yes) per period provides strong odds that can be used effectively in both singles and chase strategies — without the need to double your stake each time.
