Line shopping: getting the best price on every bet
Line shopping means checking several sportsbooks before betting and taking the best price. A bet at −105 instead of −110 needs to win about 1.2% less often to break even.
Reviewed Oct 14, 2026
Answer first
90s| Price | Break-even win rate | Profit on $100 win |
|---|---|---|
| −120 | 54.5% | $83.33 |
| −115 | 53.5% | $86.96 |
| −110 | 52.4% | $90.91 |
| −105 | 51.2% | $95.24 |
| +100 | 50.0% | $100 |
Key numbers
Line shopping in four numbers
In short
Key takeaways
- Every price improvement lowers the win rate you need, with no extra skill.
- Books post different spreads and prices on the same game.
- Half points around NFL key numbers are worth the most.
- Accounts at several licensed books make shopping easy where you live.
Progress
One bet, three books
- 1
Book A: Team −3 −110
Needs 52.4% to break even
- 2
Book B: Team −2.5 −115
Wins if margin is 3
- 3
Book C: Team −3 −105
Same line, better price
- 4
Pick
Book B near key numbers, otherwise Book C
Same team, three prices. The best choice depends on the number and the juice.
Season effect of a better price on 200 bets of $100
| Average price | Win rate 52% | Season result |
|---|---|---|
| −110 | 104 wins | About −$545 |
| −105 | 104 wins | About +$305 |
Same picks, same wins. Only the price changed.
Why prices differ
Books set lines with different models, customers and risk. One may shade a popular team; another may move faster on sharp money.
Gaps are usually small on big games and wider on props, futures and smaller leagues.
Sequence
Shopping a line
Step 01
Pick your bet
Team, total or prop.
Step 02
Check three or more books
Note line and price.
Step 03
Convert to break-even
Lower is better.
Step 04
Bet the best
Place it before the price moves.
Step 05
Track results
Compare your price to the closing line.
Shopping props and futures
Player props and futures often show the biggest gaps, sometimes 20 to 50 cents on the same market.
Those markets are where shopping adds the most value per bet.
Staying legal
Only licensed sportsbooks in your state are legal and protect your money. Offshore sites are not regulated and offer no recourse.
Many states have several licensed apps, which makes shopping easy.
Floor rules
Shopping terms
Know before you sit
- Juice
- The book’s fee built into the price.
- Break-even rate
- Win rate needed to neither win nor lose.
- Closing line
- The final price before the event.
- Steam
- A sudden line move across books.
A simple shopping routine
Before each bet, open three licensed apps and check the same market. Note the best price and the best line.
Most bettors find that one book has the best price on a few markets and another on others. Over a season the gains add up without changing any picks.
Shopping alternate lines
Alternate spreads and totals let you move a line for a different price. Comparing alternate lines across books is another way to find value.
Check whether the price change for each half point is fair, especially around key numbers.
Common mistakes
- Using one book for everything
- One book cannot have the best price on every bet.
- Ignoring small gaps
- Five cents of juice adds up over a season.
- Chasing moved lines
- A line that already moved may no longer be worth betting.
- Using offshore books for price
- Unlicensed books offer no protection for your money.
Keep reading
Related pages
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01Basics
What is line shopping?
Comparing odds and lines at several sportsbooks before placing a bet, then taking the best one.
How much does line shopping help?
Moving from −110 to −105 lowers your break-even rate from 52.4% to 51.2%. Over many bets that is a big difference.
Is line shopping legal?
Yes. Holding accounts at several licensed sportsbooks in your state is legal and common.
02Practice
How many books should I use?
Three or more gives a good spread of prices. More books mean more chances at the best line.
Which bets benefit most?
Props, futures and smaller markets, where gaps between books are often largest. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Are odds comparison sites useful?
Yes, they show prices side by side. Always confirm the price in the sportsbook app before betting.
03Risks
Will books limit me for shopping?
Some books limit customers who consistently beat their prices. It is a business decision, not a legal issue.
Do retail sportsbooks differ in price?
Yes. Casino counters in the same city can post different lines. Rules differ between licensed sportsbooks, so read the house rules.
Is the best price always right?
Usually, but check the rules too, such as how props settle if a player does not play.
Sources
- American Gaming Association — Sports betting Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026US legal sports betting data
- New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement · accessed Oct 14, 2026Sports wagering rules
- Nevada Gaming Control Board · accessed Oct 14, 2026Approved games and gaming revenue reports
- National Council on Problem Gambling — Help and resources Not from a registry (Reference source, not an official registry) · accessed Oct 14, 2026Free, confidential help: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER