Line shopping
The same bet pays different amounts at different sportsbooks, and taking the best one is the simplest way to get more for the same bet.
Key points
- $100 at -105 wins $95.24; at -110 it wins $90.91. The gap is $4.33 on one bet.
- Half a point on a spread or total decides the bet when the game lands on that number.
- At -105 you need to win 51.2% of bets to break even, against 52.4% at -110.
On this page
Why the best price matters
Each sportsbook sets its own prices. The same team can be -110 at one book and -105 at another. You need the same result either way, so the better price pays more when you win and costs nothing extra when you lose.
$4.33 sounds small. Over 200 bets a season, with half of them winning, a $4.33 gap per win is about $433. The win rate you need also drops: 51.2% at -105 against 52.4% at -110, as shown in our vig guide.
This week's biggest price gaps
These are the moneylines where the four books we compare differed most at the last update, measured as what a $100 bet wins at the best and worst price.
| Bet | Best | Worst | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nevada Wolf Pack to win (college football) | +1025 at MyBookie: $1,025.00 | +900 at Bovada: $900.00 | $125.00 |
| Northern Illinois Huskies to win (college football) | +1050 at BetUS: $1,050.00 | +943 at MyBookie: $943.00 | $107.00 |
| UTEP Miners to win (college football) | +1250 at BetUS: $1,250.00 | +1150 at MyBookie: $1,150.00 | $100.00 |
| Mississippi State Bulldogs to win (college football) | +850 at BetUS: $850.00 | +750 at Bovada: $750.00 | $100.00 |
| Minnesota Golden Gophers to win (college football) | +890 at MyBookie: $890.00 | +800 at Bovada: $800.00 | $90.00 |
Moneylines on upcoming games at MyBookie, Bovada, BetOnline and BetUS, updated Oct 31, 3:31 PM ET.
Big gaps show up most on long shots, where a few points of price are worth many dollars. On favorites the gaps are smaller in dollars but just as real.
Shop the number, not just the price
On spreads and totals the line itself can differ. Take the most points on a spread, the lowest total on an over and the highest total on an under, then compare the price.
The same underdog at two books
- Book A
- +6.5 (-105)
- Book B
- +7 (-110)
- Loses by 7
- A loses, B pushes
- Better bet
- Book B
The extra half point beats the cheaper price when the game can land on that number. Our odds pages mark the best line on this rule.
In football, half points on 3 and 7 are worth the most because those margins come up most often. The point spread guide shows how often this week's spreads sit on them.
How to shop in under a minute
- Open the sport's odds page, such as NFL odds. Each game shows MyBookie, Bovada, BetOnline and BetUS side by side.
- Find your bet. The best price on each side is highlighted in yellow when at least two books post it.
- Check the line too on spreads and totals: the highlighted cell is the best line first, then the best price.
- Tap the price to open that sportsbook, and check the price there before you bet. Prices move.
You need an account at more than one book to do this. Our sportsbook comparison shows how often each one had the best price.
What line shopping can't do
A better price raises what you win; it doesn't make a losing bet a winner. It also can't protect a price from later moves. If the market turns against your team after you bet, your price may end up worse than the close. Our closing line value guide explains how to check.
Frequently asked questions
What is line shopping?
Comparing the price and line for the same bet at several sportsbooks and taking the best one.
How much does line shopping save?
On a $100 bet, -105 instead of -110 wins $4.33 more. On long shots the gap per bet is often much bigger.
Do I need several sportsbook accounts?
Yes. You can only take a price at a book where you have an account.
Which sportsbook has the best prices?
It changes from game to game. The table above shows this week's biggest gaps, and our odds pages mark the best price on every game.
21+ only. Sportsbook offers and availability vary by location. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-MY-RESET.