If you're placing every bet at one sportsbook, you're leaving money on the table. Every single time.
This isn't advanced strategy. It's the most basic edge available to any bettor — and most people ignore it.
Here's what line shopping is, why it matters, and exactly how to set it up in 20 minutes.
What Is Line Shopping?
Line shopping means checking multiple sportsbooks before placing a bet to find the best available odds on the same pick.
Different sportsbooks set their own lines. For the same game, one book might have the favorite at -110 while another has it at -105. One might have the spread at -3.5, another at -3.
Those differences are real money over time.
Why It Matters More Than You Think
Let's say you bet $100 on a game at -110 odds. You need to win $110 to profit $100.
Now imagine you found that same bet at -105 at a different book. You only need to win $105 to profit $100.
That's a $5 difference on a single bet. Spread that across 100 bets a year and you've saved $500 — just by checking one extra app.
On spread bets, the difference is even sharper. Getting a line at -3 instead of -3.5 can be the difference between a push and a loss. That half-point has real value.
The math:
— Betting -110 consistently: you need to win 52.4% of bets to break
even
— Betting -105 consistently: you need to win 51.2% to break
even
— That 1.2% gap is enormous over a full season
Which Sportsbooks to Have Accounts At
You don't need accounts everywhere. You need accounts at the books with the most competitive lines. Here's a practical starting list:
The big three (have all of these):
- DraftKings — consistently competitive on spreads and totals, strong promos
- FanDuel — often the sharpest moneylines, best for player props
- BetMGM — frequently offers a half-point better line than the others on key numbers
Add these if your state has them:
- Caesars — best for futures, good alternate lines
- ESPN Bet — newer, runs aggressive odds boosts to acquire users
If you're serious:
- Pinnacle (where available) — lowest juice in the industry, the benchmark book that sharp money uses
You don't need to fund all of them heavily. Keep $50–$100 on each and move money as needed.
How to Do It in Practice
- Decide on your pick before you shop — don't let odds hunting change your reasoning
- Open 2–3 apps before placing any bet
- Find the best number — even a half-point or 5 cents of juice matters
- Place the bet, then note which book had the best line (you'll start to see patterns)
Takes 60 seconds. Worth every second.
One More Thing: Line Movement
Lines move. A spread that opens at -3 might be -4.5 by game time if sharp money comes in on one side.
If you like a line, betting early locks it in. If you think the public will push a line your way, waiting can get you a better number.
This is why having accounts at multiple books matters — sometimes the line has moved at one book but not yet at another.
The Bottom Line
Line shopping won't make a bad bettor good. But it will make any bettor's results better, because you're getting the best available price on every play.
Pete's Picks tracks every pick publicly — wins, losses, and the line we posted at. If you're following along, line shopping is how you make sure you're getting the same value we're tracking.
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Pete's Picks is for entertainment and informational purposes only. Nothing here constitutes financial or betting advice. Always confirm sports betting is legal in your jurisdiction. 21+ only.