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The goal in first ten minutes (GIFT) betting market has become a hugely popular option among NHL bettors in recent times. If you want to learn everything there is to know about NHL GIFT betting, we’ve got you covered.
Many bettors don’t want to sit through a three-hour hockey game, so focusing on a small portion of the game can be a lot more exciting. That’s where the goal in first ten minutes market comes into play.
How to Bet on the Goal in First Ten Minutes Market
As the name suggests, goal in first ten minutes betting enables you to wager on a goal being scored within the first ten minutes of a game. Typically, both teams are involved in the bet, although some sportsbooks allow you to wager on individual teams.
It is worth noting that the opposite bet to a GIFT is an NGFT, which stands for No Goal First Ten. Naturally, the NGFT market enables you to bet on no goals being scored within the opening ten minutes of a game.
Here is an example of what a goal in first ten minutes bet looks like:
New York Islanders vs. Dallas Stars
- GIFT: -130
- NGFT: +100
With this example, the game total is set at 5.5, favoring the under. The bookies are offering odds of –130 for a goal in the first ten minutes, while you can get odds of +100 for no goal in the first ten minutes.
NHL Goal in First Ten Minutes Betting Tips
It’s time for us to reveal our top goal in first ten minutes betting tips. Now that you know how the market works, you can use the following tips to support your bets and enhance your chances of success.
Search for Helpful GIFT Trends
Thankfully, there are lots of websites that provide GIFT stats and trends. These sites offer information about which teams tend to score a goal in the first ten minutes and which teams are less likely to score early.
Not only can you utilize GIFT trends, but you can also use general scoring stats to aid your wagers. Teams with a high goals per game ratio will score more goals on average, heightening their chances of scoring in the first ten minutes.
Keep an Eye Out for Backup Goalies
Goaltenders often play a hugely important role in a team’s performance. First-choice goalies earn the right to start each game, while backup goalies are ready to step in if anything happens to the regular stopper.
With that in mind, you should always consider the goalie situation before betting on the goal in first ten minutes market. If a team is forced to use its backup goalie, the likelihood of an early goal being scored should increase.
Consider the Game Total
You can also use the game total as a rough guide when it comes to wagering on the GIFT market. A high game total means the bookies expect plenty of goals, while a low game total means the bookies expect a quieter contest.
