Line Shopping and Why It Matters
If I could give you only one piece of advice for prop betting, it would be this: line shop.
Line shopping means checking multiple sportsbooks for the best price on the same bet. It is the easiest, most reliable way to improve your profitability—and most bettors don't do it.
The Power of Line Shopping
Let's look at a real example:
Jayson Tatum Over 26.5 Points
| Sportsbook | Odds | Break-Even % |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | -115 | 53.49% |
| Caesars | -112 | 52.83% |
| FanDuel | -110 | 52.38% |
| BetMGM | -108 | 51.92% |
Key Insight
If you bet at DraftKings (-115), you need a 53.49% win rate to break even. If you bet at BetMGM (-108), you only need 51.92%. That's a 1.57% difference in your required win rate.
Over hundreds of bets, that difference is the gap between being a professional and going broke.
The Math of Line Shopping
Let's calculate the actual dollar impact:
Scenario: $100 Bet on Tatum Over 26.5
| Sportsbook | Odds | Profit if Win | Difference from Best |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | -115 | $86.96 | -$5.63 |
| Caesars | -112 | $89.29 | -$3.30 |
| FanDuel | -110 | $90.91 | -$1.68 |
| BetMGM | -108 | $92.59 | $0.00 (Best) |
By betting at DraftKings instead of BetMGM, you're leaving $5.63 on the table on a single $100 bet.
Warning
Over a season of 500 bets at $100 each, that's potentially $2,815 in unnecessary losses—not from bad picks, but from bad process.
Why Most Bettors Don't Line Shop
- Convenience - It's easier to use one app
- Loyalty - "I always bet at DraftKings"
- Ignorance - They don't know prices vary
- Laziness - It takes an extra 2 minutes
None of these are good reasons. Professional bettors line shop on every single bet.
How to Line Shop Effectively
Step 1: Have Multiple Accounts
At minimum, you should have accounts at:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- BetMGM
- Caesars
- Any state-specific books available to you
Tip
Sign up for all available sportsbooks in your state. Even if you don't use them regularly, having the option to shop for better lines is invaluable.
Step 2: Check Prices Before Every Bet
Before placing any bet:
- Identify the prop you want to bet
- Check the price at 3-4 books minimum
- Bet at the book with the best price
- Log which book you used and why
Step 3: Use Line Shopping Tools
Several tools can help you compare lines quickly:
- The Sharp App (sharp.app)
- OddsJam
- Oddsboom
- Action Network
These tools aggregate odds from multiple books so you can see the best price instantly.
Line Shopping: Beyond Just Odds
Sometimes line shopping isn't just about odds—it's about the line itself.
Example: Patrick Mahomes Passing Yards
| Sportsbook | Line | Odds |
|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | 285.5 | -110 |
| FanDuel | 282.5 | -115 |
| BetMGM | 287.5 | -105 |
If you want to bet the Over:
- FanDuel offers 282.5 at -115 (lower line, higher juice)
- BetMGM offers 287.5 at -105 (higher line, lower juice)
The "best" option depends on your projection. If you project Mahomes at 290 yards, the lower line at FanDuel might be better despite the higher juice.
Key Insight
Line shopping isn't just about finding the best odds—sometimes it's about finding the best line. A 3-point difference in the line can be more valuable than a 5-cent difference in odds.
The Compound Effect
Let's see how line shopping compounds over time:
| Bets Per Year | Avg Savings Per Bet | Annual Savings |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | $3.00 | $300 |
| 250 | $3.00 | $750 |
| 500 | $3.00 | $1,500 |
| 1,000 | $3.00 | $3,000 |
And this assumes only $3 savings per bet. On many props, the difference can be $5-10 or more.
Tip
Pro Tip: Track your line shopping savings. Create a column in your bet log for "Best Available Odds" vs "Odds I Got." Seeing the cumulative savings will motivate you to keep shopping.
Common Line Shopping Mistakes
Mistake 1: Only Checking 2 Books
Check at least 3-4 books. The best price is often at a book you wouldn't expect.
Mistake 2: Ignoring Small Differences
A 5-cent difference (-110 vs -115) seems small but compounds dramatically over hundreds of bets.
Mistake 3: Not Checking Alternative Lines
Sometimes a different line at the same book offers better value than the main line at another book.
Mistake 4: Waiting Too Long
Good lines get bet down quickly. When you find value, act fast.
Use our EV Calculator to see how line shopping affects your expected value📝 Exercise
Instructions
Practice the math of line shopping and understand its impact on your profitability.
Scenario: You want to bet $100 on Luka Doncic Over 32.5 points.
| Sportsbook | Odds |
|---|---|
| DraftKings | -118 |
| FanDuel | -110 |
| BetMGM | -115 |
| Caesars | -108 |
You find a prop at -110 at DraftKings and -105 at BetMGM. Which should you bet?
How many sportsbook accounts should a serious prop bettor have?