Line Shopping: Why Getting the Best Odds Matters More Than Picks

Two bettors make the exact same bet on the Chiefs -3. One profits $1,200 over the season. The other loses $400.

Same picks. Different odds.

Here's what happened: Bettor A checked three sportsbooks and found Chiefs -3 at -108. Bettor B opened his default app and bet Chiefs -3 at -110 without checking anywhere else.

That 2-cent difference in juice doesn't seem like much—until you realize it's the difference between profitability and losses over hundreds of bets.

This is line shopping. And it's the easiest, most guaranteed edge in sports betting.

Most bettors obsess over finding the "right" side. They spend hours researching matchups, analyzing trends, watching film. But they ignore the one thing that requires zero handicapping skill: getting the best price.

You could have the best picks in the world and still lose money if you're betting at the wrong odds. Conversely, you could have mediocre picks and still profit if you're consistently getting better numbers than everyone else.

Let's break down why line shopping matters more than your picks—and how to do it right.

---

What is Line Shopping?

Line shopping is simply comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks to get the best price before placing your bet.

Think of it like buying a TV. You wouldn't walk into the first store you see and pay whatever price they ask. You'd check Best Buy, Target, Amazon, and maybe Costco to find the best deal. The same TV, different prices.

Sports betting works the same way. The Chiefs -3 might be -110 at DraftKings, -108 at FanDuel, and -105 at BetMGM. It's the same bet—but the price varies by book.

Why do odds vary between books?

Different sportsbooks have different risk exposure, customer bases, and market-making strategies:

• Risk management: If a book has heavy action on one side, they might move the line to balance their exposure
• Customer base: Retail books (DraftKings, FanDuel) often have softer lines because their customers bet with emotion. Sharp books (Pinnacle, Circa) have sharper lines because their customers bet with math
• Market-making philosophy: Some books are more aggressive in moving lines, while others wait to see where sharp money goes
• Vig structure: Some books charge more juice (higher vig) than others

The result? The same game, the same line, but different prices at different books. Your job is to find the best one.

---

The Math That Changes Everything

This is where most bettors' eyes glaze over. But stick with me—the math is simple, and it's the difference between profit and loss.

Example 1: The -110 vs -108 Difference

Let's say you make 100 bets at $100 each over the course of a season. You win 52.4% of your bets (which is the break-even point at -110 odds).

But here's the kicker: You don't need to win 52.4% to profit at -108. You only need to win 51.9% to break even. That means if you're a 52.4% bettor, you're not just breaking even—you're making money.

Use our Fair Odds Calculator to see how removing the vig affects your break-even percentage.

Example 2: Getting a Better Number

Sometimes the difference isn't just the juice—it's the line itself.

You want to bet the Chiefs. Here are your options:

Sportsbook	Line	Odds
Book A	Chiefs -3	-110
Book B	Chiefs -2.5	-115
Book C	Chiefs -3.5	-105

Which is the best bet?

Book A (Chiefs -3 at -110) is the play. Here's why:

• Book B gives you a better line (-2.5 vs -3) but charges more juice (-115 vs -110). The extra juice often negates the half-point advantage
• Book C gives you better juice (-105 vs -110) but a worse line (-3.5 vs -3). The half-point you're giving up is worth more than the 5 cents you're saving in juice
• Book A gives you the best combination: the key number (-3) at standard juice

In NFL betting, the numbers 3 and 7 are "key numbers" because so many games land on those margins. Getting the right side of 3 is worth significantly more than getting the right side of 3.5.

To compare these options accurately, you need to understand the true probability of each. Use our Fair Odds Calculator to strip out the vig and see which bet actually has the most value.

Example 3: The Half-Point That Costs Thousands

Let's say you want to bet the Chiefs, and you have two options:

• Option A: Chiefs -2.5 at -110
• Option B: Chiefs -3 at -110

Which would you take?

Most bettors would say "it doesn't matter—they're both -110." But that's wrong. The half-point difference is massive.

Historically, about 15% of NFL games land on exactly 3 points. That means if you bet Chiefs -2.5, you win if the Chiefs win by 3 or more. If you bet Chiefs -3, you push if they win by exactly 3.

In reality, the value of getting -2.5 instead of -3 is worth roughly 2-3% in expected value. Over a season of 500 bets, that's thousands of dollars in additional profit.

This is why sharp bettors obsess over key numbers. Getting the right side of 3 or 7 is often worth more than getting better juice on a non-key number.

---

Why Most Bettors Don't Line Shop

If line shopping is so valuable, why don't more people do it?

Here are the five main objections—and why they're wrong:

1. Convenience

The objection: "Using one app is easier than checking multiple books."

The reality: The 2-3 minutes it takes to check prices is worth thousands of dollars annually. Set up accounts at 4-6 books, bookmark them, and check prices before every bet. It becomes routine quickly.

2. Bankroll Fragmentation

The objection: "I don't want my money spread across multiple accounts."

The reality: Bankroll spread is manageable with 3-4 books. Most serious bettors keep their main bankroll at one book and transfer smaller amounts to others as needed. The profit from line shopping far outweighs the minor inconvenience.

3. Bonuses and Promos

The objection: "I get VIP perks and bonuses at my main book."

The reality: Promos rarely offset the cost of bad odds. A $50 bonus doesn't help if you're losing $5 per bet by taking worse odds. Calculate the actual value: if you're saving $5 per bet through line shopping, that's $2,500 over 500 bets—far more than most VIP programs offer.

4. Ignorance

The objection: "I didn't realize how much it costs me."

The reality: Most bettors don't understand that -110 vs -108 is a 2% difference in break-even rate. They think "it's only 2 cents, who cares?" But over hundreds of bets, those 2 cents compound into real money. Now you know better.

5. Time

The objection: "Checking multiple books feels like work."

The reality: Use odds comparison tools (OddsJam, OddsShopper) to see all prices at once. Or manually check 3-4 books—it takes 30 seconds. The time investment is minimal compared to the value you're capturing.

---

How to Line Shop Effectively

Now that you understand why line shopping matters, here's how to do it right:

Step 1: Have Accounts at Multiple Books

You need a minimum of 4 sportsbooks, ideally 6-8 for maximum coverage. Mix of:

• Sharp books: Pinnacle, Circa, Bookmaker (these have the sharpest lines and lowest vig)
• Retail books: DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM (these often have softer lines but more vig)
• Reduced juice books: Bet365 in some markets (these offer -108 or better on standard lines)

Note: Not all books are available in all states. Check your local regulations.

Step 2: Know Your Key Numbers

Different sports have different key numbers where line shopping matters most:

• NFL: 3, 7, 6, 10, 14 (these are the most common margins of victory)
• NBA: Less important, but 5-7 point margins matter
• MLB: Runlines at -1.5 are key
• NHL: Pucklines at -1.5 are key

When you see a key number available at one book but not another, that's often the best bet—even if the juice is slightly worse.

Step 3: Check Prices Before Every Bet

Don't assume your default book has the best line. Prices change throughout the day as sharp money moves lines. What was the best price this morning might not be the best price this afternoon.

Options:

• Use odds comparison tools: OddsJam, OddsShopper, The Action Network (these aggregate odds from multiple books)
• Manually check 3-4 books: Takes 30 seconds, saves you money

Pro tip: TrueEdge will show best odds when we launch, automatically surfacing the best prices across books.

Step 4: Consider the Full Picture

Line + Juice = Total price. Sometimes -3 (-115) is better than -2.5 (-120). Sometimes it's not.

Use our Fair Odds Calculator to compare apples to apples. It removes the vig so you can see the true probability of each option.

---

The Sharp Bettor's Secret

Here's what professional bettors know that most recreational bettors don't:

Sharp books have lower vig and sharper lines. Retail books have softer lines but more vig.

The strategy: Use sharp books (like Pinnacle) as your "true odds" reference. Then find better prices at retail books (like DraftKings or FanDuel).

Here's how it works:

1. Check Pinnacle first. Their lines are the sharpest because they have the lowest vig and attract the sharpest bettors. Pinnacle's line is essentially the market's best estimate of true probability.
2. Compare to retail books. If DraftKings has a line that's better than Pinnacle's, you've found value. Retail books often have softer lines because their customer base bets with emotion, not math.
3. Bet at the retail book. You're getting a better number than the sharpest book in the world. That's called "finding +EV at retail books."

This is the secret to consistent profitability: Use sharp books to identify value, then capture that value at retail books.

For more on finding edge, see our guides on positive EV betting and what edge means in sports betting.

---

Real-World Line Shopping Example

Let's walk through a complete example from identification to bet placement:

The Setup

You identify Bills +3 as a value bet. Your model says the fair line should be Bills +1.5, meaning you're getting 1.5 points of value. It's Tuesday morning, and you're ready to bet.

The Shop

You check four sportsbooks:

Sportsbook	Line	Odds
DraftKings	Bills +3	-110
FanDuel	Bills +2.5	-108
BetMGM	Bills +3	-105
Pinnacle	Bills +2.5	-104

The Decision

BetMGM offers Bills +3 at -105. This is the best combination of line and juice:

• You get the key number (+3) instead of +2.5
• You get reduced juice (-105 instead of -110)
• You're getting a better number than Pinnacle (the sharpest book)

You bet at BetMGM.

The Result

By Sunday, the line has moved to Bills +1.5. You beat the closing line by 1.5 points AND got reduced juice. This is what positive Closing Line Value (CLV) looks like.

---

Line Shopping by Sport

Line shopping matters for every sport, but the strategy varies:

NFL

Most important sport to line shop. Key numbers (3, 7) matter hugely, and lines move significantly from open to close. Best to bet early in the week if you have edge—you'll often beat the closing line as sharp money moves it in your direction.

Example: Getting Chiefs -2.5 instead of -3 is worth 2-3% in expected value. Over a season, that's massive.

NBA

Lines move a lot due to injury news and late lineup changes. Player prop markets have significant variation between books—sometimes 10+ cents difference on the same prop. Check 4-5 books minimum for player props.

Example: LeBron Over 25.5 points might be -110 at one book and -125 at another. That 15-cent difference compounds over hundreds of bets.

MLB

Moneylines vary WIDELY between books—sometimes 10+ cents difference. Line shopping is essential, especially for heavy favorites where the juice difference compounds.

Example: Dodgers -180 vs -165 is massive. At -180, you need to win 64.3% to break even. At -165, you only need 62.3%. That 2% difference is worth thousands over a season.

NHL

Similar to MLB—moneyline variation is significant. Puckline at -1.5 varies in juice considerably between books. Always check multiple books before betting NHL moneylines.

Example: Bruins -1.5 might be -120 at one book and -135 at another. That 15-cent difference is significant over time.

---

Tools and Resources

Odds Comparison Sites

These tools aggregate odds from multiple sportsbooks so you can quickly see which book has the best price:

• OddsJam: Popular option with good coverage
• OddsShopper: Another solid option
• The Action Network: Good for line movement tracking
• TrueEdge: Will show best odds when we launch (automatically surfaces the best prices)

Calculating Fair Value

Before you can compare odds, you need to understand fair value:

• Fair Odds Calculator — Remove the vig to see true probability
• EV Calculator — Calculate expected value of any bet

Use these tools together: First, use the Fair Odds Calculator to remove vig. Then, use the EV Calculator to see if the bet has positive expected value.

---

Common Line Shopping Mistakes

Even bettors who understand line shopping make these errors:

1. Only Checking Your "Main" Book

Your default book rarely has the best odds. Always check at least 3 books before betting. The best price might be at a book you rarely use.

2. Ignoring the Juice

-3 (-115) might be worse than -3.5 (-105) depending on the key number. Don't just look at the line—consider the total price (line + juice). Use the Fair Odds Calculator to compare accurately.

3. Chasing Steam After It Moves

If the line moved, the value might be gone. Sharp money already took the edge. Bet BEFORE the line moves, not after. This is how you get positive Closing Line Value.

4. Not Having Enough Accounts

2 books isn't enough variance to capture value. You need 4-6 minimum. More accounts = more opportunities to find the best line.

5. Forgetting About Player Props

Often the biggest discrepancies are in props, not main lines. Player props can vary 10-20 cents between books. Always check multiple books for props.

---

How Much Can You Actually Save?

Let's get concrete about the dollar impact:

Conservative Estimate

• 500 bets per year
• Average of $5 saved per bet through line shopping
• Annual savings: $2,500

Aggressive Estimate (Prop Bettors)

• 1,000 bets per year
• Average of $8 saved per bet (props have more variance)
• Annual savings: $8,000

---

Frequently Asked Questions About Line Shopping

Q: Is line shopping legal?
A: Yes, completely legal. You're just comparing prices like any other purchase. There's nothing illegal about checking multiple sportsbooks to find the best odds before placing a bet.

Q: How many sportsbooks do I need?
A: Minimum 4, ideally 6-8 for maximum coverage. You want a mix of sharp books and retail books to capture the widest range of odds.

Q: Does line shopping work for parlays?
A: Yes! Parlay odds compound, so small differences in leg prices add up significantly. Getting -108 instead of -110 on each leg of a 3-leg parlay can increase your payout by 5-7%.

Q: What's the best odds comparison site?
A: OddsJam and OddsShopper are popular options. TrueEdge will include odds comparison at launch. These tools save significant time, especially for bettors making multiple wagers daily.

Q: Should I always take the best odds?
A: Usually yes, but consider betting limits. If a sharp book limits you to $50 and a retail book allows $500, the retail book might be better even at worse odds. Also consider withdrawal times and customer service.

Q: How do I know if I'm getting a good line?
A: Compare to Pinnacle (the sharpest book). If you're getting a better number than Pinnacle, you likely have value. Pinnacle is widely considered the sharpest book because they have the lowest vig and their lines are most efficient.

Q: Does line shopping matter for small bettors?
A: Absolutely. The percentage edge is the same regardless of bet size. $5 saved on a $100 bet is 5%—that's huge. Over a year, even small bettors can save hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Q: Can sportsbooks limit me for line shopping?
A: Not directly for line shopping, but sharp betting behavior (consistently beating the close) can get you limited. Line shopping itself isn't a red flag. However, if you consistently beat the closing line, some books may reduce your limits. This is why it's important to have multiple accounts.

---

The Bottom Line

Line shopping is the easiest, most guaranteed edge in sports betting. It requires zero handicapping skill—just the discipline to check prices before betting.

Key takeaways:

1. Line shopping is pure edge. Better odds = more profit. The math is simple.
2. 4-6 sportsbook accounts is the minimum for serious bettors. More accounts = more opportunities.
3. Use tools to compare quickly, or manually check before every bet. It takes 30 seconds and saves thousands.
4. Over a year, line shopping can save $2,500-$8,000 depending on bet volume. Over a decade, that's life-changing money.
5. Combine line shopping with edge finding. Use our Fair Odds Calculator to identify value, then line shop to capture the best price on that value.

The sportsbooks know this works. That's why they offer different odds. Your job is to take advantage of it.