Line shopping means checking the same bet at several sportsbooks and placing it wherever you get the best number or price. For anyone who bets regularly, it's usually the easiest edge available. Yes, having two or three legal accounts is generally worth it.
Books set their own lines, so they don't always match. One app might have a team at -3 (-110) while another has -2.5 (-115) or -3 (-105).
Worked example (same bet, different juice):
Getting a better number can matter even more. In the NFL, a lot of games land on 3 and 7. Getting +3.5 instead of +3 turns some losses into pushes and some pushes into wins.
Downsides to keep in mind: - More apps to manage, plus deposits and withdrawals in more places - It's easier to lose track of spending, so track your total across all books - Only use sportsbooks licensed in your state
Easy way to start: before every bet, check two or three apps. It takes about 30 seconds.
How many sportsbook accounts do you have, and do you actually shop every bet? Have you noticed one book that's often off-market on certain sports?
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-MY-RESET.
Books set their own lines, so they don't always match. One app might have a team at -3 (-110) while another has -2.5 (-115) or -3 (-105).
Worked example (same bet, different juice):
- $100 at -110 wins $90.91
- $100 at -105 wins $95.24
- That's $4.33 more per winning bet
Getting a better number can matter even more. In the NFL, a lot of games land on 3 and 7. Getting +3.5 instead of +3 turns some losses into pushes and some pushes into wins.
Downsides to keep in mind: - More apps to manage, plus deposits and withdrawals in more places - It's easier to lose track of spending, so track your total across all books - Only use sportsbooks licensed in your state
Easy way to start: before every bet, check two or three apps. It takes about 30 seconds.
How many sportsbook accounts do you have, and do you actually shop every bet? Have you noticed one book that's often off-market on certain sports?
21+. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-MY-RESET.