Successful sports betting isn’t just about picking winners — it’s about consistently getting the best possible odds. Line shopping — or comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks — is one of the simplest yet most effective ways to maximize long-term profitability. This article will break down why different sportsbooks offer different odds, how getting the best number improves your return on investment (ROI), and how to efficiently compare odds to ensure you’re making +EV bets.
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Line Shopping in Sports Betting: Compare Odds to Maximize ROI
Line shopping is the process of comparing odds across different sportsbooks to find the most favorable price for your bet. Since sportsbooks set their own odds, you’ll often find variations in the lines for the same event. Savvy bettors take advantage of these discrepancies to increase their expected value (EV) over time.
Why Do Different Sportsbooks Offer Different Odds?
Sportsbooks adjust their odds based on:
- Betting volume – If more money is coming in on one side, books adjust to balance their risk.
- Sharp action – Some books move lines based on respected bettors’ wagers.
- Market-making vs. follower books – Market-making sportsbooks like Pinnacle and Circa set original lines, while others copy or shade them based on their risk models.
- Promotions and marketing – Some books offer more aggressive odds to attract bettors.
Because of these factors, odds will rarely be identical across all sportsbooks, creating opportunities for bettors who shop around.
How Line Shopping Improves ROI
Consistently betting into better odds has a compounding effect on your long-term ROI. Let’s look at a practical example:
- At -110, you need to win 52.38% of bets to break even.
- At -105, you only need to win 51.22% to break even.
That 1.16-percentage-point difference might seem small, but over 1,000 bets at $100 per wager, it results in a difference of $1,160 in expected profits.
Now imagine consistently finding even greater differences, such as +120 vs. +130 on an underdog. Over time, line shopping becomes the difference between a winning and losing sports bettor.
CLV and Beating the Market
Another key benefit of line shopping is CLV). Beating the closing line — getting better odds than the final market price — is one of the strongest indicators of a profitable bettor.
For example, if you bet an NFL team at +3.5 (-110) but the line closes at +2.5 (-110), you’ve captured value, as those extra points matter in the long run. Line shopping increases your chances of consistently beating the market.
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How to Efficiently Compare Sportsbook Odds
Use Portfolio EV to Track +EV Bets Across Books
Manually checking odds across multiple sportsbooks can be time-consuming, but using the right tools makes it easy. Portfolio EV helps bettors:
- Identify +EV bets across sportsbooks.
- Track whether you’re beating the closing line consistently.
- Optimize bet sizing based on Kelly Criterion principles.
By leveraging Portfolio EV’s odds comparison and expected value calculator, bettors can ensure they’re getting the best price and long-term edge on every wager.
Open s at Multiple Sportsbooks
To take advantage of line discrepancies, you need access to multiple books. Some of the sharpest bettors have at least five sportsbook s to ensure they always get the best number.
Consider using:
- Market-making books (Pinnacle, Circa) for sharp odds.
- Mainstream books (DraftKings) for softer lines.
- Local/regional books that might offer unique odds based on their customer base.
Take Advantage of Promotions and Reduced Juice
Some sportsbooks offer:
- Reduced juice lines (e.g., -105 instead of -110).
- Odds boosts that occasionally provide +EV betting opportunities.
- Promotional pricing on popular events.
If a promo allows you to bet into +EV odds, it can be a valuable way to boost long-term profits.
Final Thoughts on Line Shopping for Long-Term Success
Line shopping is one of the simplest, most effective ways to maximize sports betting ROI. Even a small improvement in odds makes a significant difference over thousands of bets, turning marginal winners into long-term profitable bettors.
By comparing odds, using the right tools and maintaining s at multiple sportsbooks, you can consistently find the best prices and improve your expected value. Whether you’re a casual bettor or serious about growing your bankroll, making line shopping a habit is a must.
