Line Shopping Guide: How to Find the Best Odds and Maximize Betting Profits

Line shopping is the practice of comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks before placing a bet, then taking the best available price. It is the single most effective way for sports bettors to improve their long-term results without changing anything else about their handicapping process. The concept is straightforward: if you are going to bet on the Chiefs -3, you should place that bet at the sportsbook offering the best odds rather than accepting whatever price your default book posts.

Despite being one of the simplest strategies in sports betting, line shopping is underused by the majority of recreational bettors. Most people open one app, place their bet, and move on. That convenience comes at a cost. Over hundreds and thousands of bets, the difference between taking -110 and -105 on the same wager adds up to a significant amount of money. Professional and semi-professional bettors treat line shopping as non-negotiable because the math is clear: getting the best price is the easiest edge available.

This guide explains how line shopping works, why the odds differ between sportsbooks, how to shop effectively across different bet types, and the impact it has on your bottom line over time.

What Is Line Shopping?

Line shopping means checking the odds at multiple sportsbooks before you place a bet and then wagering at the book offering the best price. It is the sports betting equivalent of comparing prices at different stores before making a purchase. The product is the same (a bet on a specific outcome), but the price varies depending on where you buy it.

Every legal US sportsbook sets its own odds. While the numbers are often similar, they are rarely identical. One book might list the Bills at -3 (-110) while another has them at -3 (-105) and a third posts -2.5 (-115). Each of those prices represents a different cost to you and a different potential return. A line shopper checks all three and makes an informed decision about which price offers the best value.

Line shopping applies to every bet type: point spreads, moneylines, totals, player props, futures, and live bets. The degree of price variation differs by market, but meaningful differences exist in all of them.

Why Line Shopping Matters

The impact of line shopping compounds over time. On any single bet, the difference between -110 and -105 feels minor. Over a full season of betting, it can be the difference between a profitable year and a losing one.

The Compounding Effect

Consider a bettor who places 500 spread bets per year at an average stake of $100. If they always bet at -110, they need to win 52.38 percent of their bets to break even. If they consistently find -105 through line shopping, that break-even threshold drops to 51.22 percent.

That 1.16 percentage point difference may sound small, but it is enormous in practice. Most winning sports bettors operate on a margin of 2 to 5 percent above the break-even line. Lowering the bar by over a full percentage point through nothing more than price comparison is a massive edge.

Direct Impact on Expected Value

Every bet has an expected value based on the true probability of the outcome and the odds being offered. When you take a better price, you directly increase the expected value of your bet without needing to be any better at picking winners.

If you believe a team has a 55 percent chance of covering the spread, that same handicapping opinion produces different expected values at different prices:

Odds	Implied Probability	Your Edge (at 55%)	EV per $100 Bet
-115	53.49%	1.51%	+$2.83
-110	52.38%	2.62%	+$5.00
-105	51.22%	3.78%	+$7.38
-100 (even)	50.00%	5.00%	+$10.00

The same 55 percent opinion is worth $2.83 per bet at -115 but $7.38 at -105. Over 500 bets, that gap translates to roughly $2,275 in additional profit from line shopping alone.

How Odds Differ Between Sportsbooks

Understanding why sportsbooks post different numbers helps you predict where to find the best prices.

Different Risk Models and Liability

Each sportsbook runs its own risk management operation. Their odds reflect not only their estimate of the true probability but also the bets they have already taken and the liability they are trying to balance. A book that has received heavy action on the Chiefs might move their line to -3.5 to attract bets on the other side, while a book with balanced action keeps the line at -3.

Market Makers vs. Retail Books

Some sportsbooks (often called market-making books) set their own lines based on sophisticated models and sharp bettor input. Others (retail books) largely copy lines from the market makers and adjust based on their own customer action. Retail books sometimes lag behind market movements, creating brief windows where they offer stale but favorable prices.

The Vig Varies

The vig, or juice, is the sportsbook's built-in margin on every bet. Standard vig on a spread bet is -110 on each side, meaning the book collects $110 to pay out $100. But not all books charge the same vig. Some offer reduced juice at -105 or even -104 as a standard feature. Using a vig calculator can help you understand exactly how much the juice costs you and compare the true odds across different books.

A sportsbook offering -105 on both sides of a spread charges roughly half the margin of one charging -110 on both sides. Over time, that reduced vig directly improves your return.

Promotional Pricing

Sportsbooks sometimes offer boosted odds or profit boosts on specific bets as promotional tools. A standard -110 line might be temporarily offered at +100 or better through a boost. While these promotions come with limits and conditions, they represent genuine value when available.

How to Line Shop Effectively

Line shopping is a process, not a one-time action. Here is how to build it into your betting routine.

Step 1: Maintain Accounts at Multiple Sportsbooks

You cannot shop if you only have one store. The foundation of line shopping is having funded accounts at several legal sportsbooks. Most experienced bettors maintain accounts at four to eight books. You do not need to deposit large amounts at each one. Even a small balance lets you take advantage of a favorable line when it appears. Check sportsbook reviews to evaluate which books are available in your state and which offer competitive pricing.

Step 2: Use Odds Comparison Tools

Manually checking every sportsbook app before every bet is time-consuming. Odds comparison tools aggregate lines from multiple sportsbooks into a single view, showing you the best available price instantly. These tools cover spreads, moneylines, totals, and sometimes props and futures.

Many odds comparison sites also offer alerts that notify you when a line at a particular book moves to a threshold you set. This is especially useful for bettors who identify bets in advance but want to wait for the best price.

Step 3: Check Odds Before Every Bet

This sounds obvious, but consistency matters. It is easy to fall into the habit of opening your favorite app and placing a quick bet. Build the habit of checking at least two or three books every time, even if it adds an extra minute to the process. That minute is often the most profitable minute in your betting day.

Step 4: Factor in Reduced Juice Options

Some sportsbooks offer standard reduced juice, typically -105 on spreads and totals. If the line is the same across books, the reduced juice book is always the better option. Make sure you are aware of which books in your rotation offer reduced vig and prioritize them when lines are otherwise identical.

Step 5: Consider Line Movement and Timing

Odds change throughout the day and week as money comes in and information becomes available. Understanding line movement patterns helps you time your bets to capture the best number. Sometimes the best line is available early in the week when openers are first posted. Other times, late movement creates opportunities at books that are slow to adjust.

Line Shopping by Bet Type

The value of line shopping varies by market. Some bet types show wide price variation across books, while others are tighter.

Point Spreads

Spread markets are typically the tightest because they receive the most betting volume and attention from sharp bettors. However, half-point differences are common and extremely valuable on key numbers. In the NFL, the difference between -3 and -2.5 is significant because so many games are decided by exactly three points. Getting a half point on a key number can change the outcome of your bet in a meaningful percentage of cases.

Spread Difference	Estimated Win Rate Change (NFL)	Impact Over 200 Bets ($100 each)
-3 to -2.5	+2.5% to +3.0%	+$500 to +$600
-7 to -6.5	+1.5% to +2.0%	+$300 to +$400
Standard half-point	+0.5% to +1.0%	+$100 to +$200

Moneylines

Moneylines show the widest variation among standard bet types, particularly for underdogs and heavy favorites. A team that one book lists at +180 might be +195 or even +200 elsewhere. On a $100 bet, the difference between +180 and +200 is $20 in additional profit on a win, for the exact same bet.

Favorites also vary, though less dramatically. A -200 favorite at one book might be -185 at another. Over time, consistently taking the shorter price on favorites saves a meaningful amount.

Totals (Over/Under)

Totals behave similarly to spreads. The numbers are usually close across books, but half-point differences matter, especially around key numbers like 41, 44, and 47 in NFL totals. The vig on totals can also vary, so check the juice even when the number is the same.

Player Props

Props offer the most line shopping value of any standard market. Sportsbooks price props with less precision than sides and totals because the volume is lower and the data models are less refined. It is common to see player prop lines differ by a full point or more across books, and the juice can vary wildly.

A quarterback's passing yards might be set at over 275.5 (-110) at one book and over 272.5 (-115) at another. If you are betting the over, the lower number at a slightly higher vig may still be the better overall value. This kind of analysis is routine for serious prop bettors.

Futures

Futures prices can differ enormously between sportsbooks. A team might be +800 to win the championship at one book and +1200 at another. Because futures are long-term bets with higher vig, line shopping here has an outsized impact. Always compare futures prices across at least three or four books before placing the bet.

The Math Behind Line Shopping

The financial impact of line shopping is concrete and measurable. Here is how it plays out across different volumes of betting.

Annual Bets	Avg Stake	Without Line Shopping (-110)	With Line Shopping (avg -106)	Additional Profit
100	$50	Break-even requires 52.38%	Break-even requires 51.46%	~$90 at 54% win rate
500	$100	Break-even requires 52.38%	Break-even requires 51.46%	~$925 at 54% win rate
1,000	$100	Break-even requires 52.38%	Break-even requires 51.46%	~$1,850 at 54% win rate

These numbers assume the line shopper finds an average improvement of 4 cents (from -110 to -106) across their bets. In practice, some bets will offer no improvement while others will offer significantly more, especially on moneylines and props.

The key takeaway is that line shopping does not require you to pick more winners. It lets you extract more profit from the same winning percentage.

Best Practices for Line Shopping

How Many Sportsbook Accounts Do You Need?

There is no magic number, but four to six is a practical range for most bettors. Having fewer than three limits your ability to find meaningful differences. Having more than eight becomes difficult to manage and fund across multiple platforms. Focus on a mix of market-making books, reduced-juice books, and the major retail books available in your state.

Organize Your Bankroll Across Books

Keep track of your balance at each sportsbook and your total bankroll across all of them. Some bettors use a simple spreadsheet to monitor deposits, withdrawals, and current balances. The goal is to always have enough funds available at the book offering the best line. If your bankroll is concentrated at a single book, you may see a better price elsewhere but be unable to take it.

Set a Quick Comparison Routine

Before placing any bet, develop a routine: check the line at your top three or four books, compare, and then place the bet at the best price. With practice, this takes under a minute and becomes second nature. Using an odds comparison tool reduces this to seconds.

Track Your Savings

Tracking the difference between the odds you took and the average market odds helps you quantify the value of your line shopping. Over time, this data reinforces the habit and shows you which books consistently offer the best prices for different bet types.

Understand Closing Line Value

Closing line value (CLV) measures whether you got a better price than the closing line, which is the final odds posted before a game starts. The closing line is considered the most efficient price because it incorporates all available information and betting action. Consistently beating the closing line is a strong indicator of long-term profitability, and line shopping is one of the most direct ways to achieve positive CLV.

Common Line Shopping Mistakes

Only Using One Sportsbook

This is the most fundamental mistake and the easiest to fix. Every bet placed at a single book without checking alternatives is a bet where you may have left money on the table. Even if you have a preferred book for its interface or promotions, always compare before you bet.

Only Shopping Spreads

Many bettors line shop for spreads but accept whatever moneyline or prop price their primary book offers. This leaves significant value uncaptured, especially in player prop markets where price discrepancies are largest.

Ignoring Reduced Juice Books

If two books have the same spread but one charges -110 and the other charges -105, the -105 book is objectively better. Yet many bettors overlook reduced juice because the difference per bet feels small. Over hundreds of bets, reduced juice alone can swing your results by thousands of dollars.

Not Acting on the Best Line

Some bettors check multiple books but then place the bet at their usual book anyway because it is convenient or because the other book has a smaller balance. This defeats the purpose entirely. If you are going to do the work of comparing, follow through and bet at the best price.

Waiting Too Long

Lines move throughout the week. If you identify a favorable line early but wait to place the bet, you may lose that edge. Sharp bettors often move lines quickly, and a number that was available Monday morning may be gone by Tuesday afternoon. When you see the best price, take it.

Not Accounting for Alternate Lines

Most sportsbooks offer alternate spreads and totals at adjusted prices. Sometimes buying a half point at one book is cheaper than the standard line at another. Compare not just the primary line but also alternates that might give you the number you want at a better price.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is line shopping in sports betting?

Line shopping is the practice of comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks before placing a bet, then wagering at the book offering the best price. Just as you might compare prices at different stores before buying a product, line shopping ensures you are getting the most favorable odds available. It applies to all bet types including spreads, moneylines, totals, props, and futures.

How many sportsbook accounts do I need for effective line shopping?

Most experienced bettors maintain accounts at four to six legal sportsbooks. This range provides enough variety to find meaningful price differences without becoming unmanageable. At minimum, you should have accounts at three books. Include a mix of market-making books, reduced-juice books, and the major retail books available in your state.

Which bet types benefit most from line shopping?

Player props and moneylines show the widest price variation across sportsbooks, making them the most rewarding to shop. Futures also vary significantly between books. Spreads and totals tend to be tighter, but half-point differences on key numbers (like 3 and 7 in the NFL) still carry meaningful value. In short, every bet type benefits, but props and moneylines benefit the most.

Can line shopping make a losing bettor profitable?

Line shopping alone cannot turn poor handicapping into a profitable strategy, but it can push a break-even or slightly losing bettor into profitable territory. The difference between consistently betting at -110 and averaging -106 through line shopping lowers your break-even win rate by roughly one percentage point. For bettors operating near that margin, this improvement is the difference between a winning and losing year.

Is line shopping legal?

Yes. Line shopping is completely legal in all US states where sports betting is legal. Having accounts at multiple licensed sportsbooks and choosing where to place your bets is a normal and expected part of legal sports betting. Sportsbooks compete on odds precisely because they know bettors compare prices.

How much does line shopping improve your ROI?

The improvement depends on how many bets you place and how aggressively you shop. A bettor placing 500 bets per year at $100 each who averages 4 cents better through line shopping (for example, -106 instead of -110) can expect roughly $900 to $1,000 in additional profit at a 54 percent win rate. The savings are larger on moneylines and props where price gaps are wider. For higher-volume or higher-stakes bettors, the gains scale proportionally.

What tools can I use to compare odds across sportsbooks?

Odds comparison websites and apps aggregate lines from multiple sportsbooks into a single view, letting you instantly see which book offers the best price. These tools cover standard markets (spreads, moneylines, totals) and increasingly include props and futures. Many also offer alerts when lines move to levels you specify.

Does line shopping work for live and in-game betting?

Line shopping is more difficult for live betting because odds change rapidly during games and you have less time to compare across books. However, some odds comparison tools offer real-time feeds, and having multiple apps open during a game lets you quickly spot the best in-game price. The principle is the same, though the execution window is much shorter.