Line shopping means checking the odds at several sportsbooks and placing your bet wherever the price is best. It requires no handicapping skill, no model and no risk. It is the single easiest way to improve your betting results, and most bettors still do not do it.
Why prices differ between books
Every sportsbook sets its own odds. Some copy the market quickly; some are slow; some shade prices toward what their customers like to bet. On any given game, you will find different spreads, totals and prices across books:
| Book | Packers spread | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Book A | −3 | −120 |
| Book B | −3 | −110 |
| Book C | −2.5 | −115 |
| Book D | −3 | −105 |
The same bet costs anywhere from −105 to −120, and Book C even offers a better number. (Why sportsbook odds differ.)
How much is line shopping worth?
Taking −105 instead of −110 lowers your break-even win rate from 52.38% to 51.22%. For a bettor who wins 52%, that alone turns a losing record into a winning one.
On moneylines and props, gaps are often bigger. Getting +160 instead of +140 on an underdog raises your payout by more than 8%.
Over a season, consistent line shopping commonly adds 2–4% to your ROI, which is more than most bettors' entire edge. (Line shopping math.)
Line shopping the number and the price
There are two things to compare:
- The number: −2.5 vs −3, total 44 vs 45.
- The price: −105 vs −115.
Sometimes a better number at a worse price is the better bet, especially through key numbers like 3 and 7 in the NFL. (What a half-point is worth.)
How to line shop efficiently
Manually
Open accounts at several legal books, then check each app before every bet. It works but it is slow, and prices change while you are checking.
With an odds screen
An odds screen shows every book's price for every market on one page and highlights the best. The OddsHype odds screen is free for every signed-up user and includes only the books licensed in your state. (How to use an odds screen.)
How many books do you need?
More books means better prices. Going from one book to three captures most of the benefit; going to five or more adds steady value, especially on props. (How many sportsbooks you should have.)
Line shopping is the foundation of +EV betting
+EV betting is line shopping taken to its logical end: instead of just taking the best available price, you compare it to the fair price and only bet when the best price beats fair. (What is +EV betting?.)
Frequently asked questions
Is line shopping worth it?
Yes. It costs nothing but a few seconds per bet and typically adds several percentage points of return over a season.
Do sportsbooks mind line shopping?
Books know customers compare prices. Consistently taking off-market prices can lead to limits, but simply choosing the best of several normal prices is how most smart bettors operate.
How do I line shop quickly?
Use an odds screen that shows every legal book's price side by side and highlights the best one.