Getting the best available odds on every bet is the single highest-impact habit for sports bettors. Here's the systematic process for doing it efficiently.
The Two-Minute Line Shopping Process
Before placing any bet:
- Identify the bet you want (team, spread/moneyline/total, market)
- Open 3-4 sportsbooks (or a line comparison tool)
- Check the price at each — spreads, half-points, and vig all vary
- Bet at the best available price
This process takes 2 minutes and generates 1-3% additional ROI with zero change in your picks.
What Price Differences Look Like
Half-point differences: Chiefs -3 at one book, Chiefs -3.5 at another. The half-point on a key NFL number matters in 15% of games.
Vig differences: -110 at most books, -105 at some. At -105, you keep significantly more when you win.
Moneyline differences: Underdog at +150 vs. +165 at different books. That 15-cent difference on a $100 bet is $15 per bet.
Prop differences: WR at 64.5 yards at one book, 67.5 at another. That 3-yard difference is enormous for a prop that settles near that range.
The Accounts You Need
Minimum viable set:
- DraftKings
- FanDuel
- BetMGM (or Caesars)
- One sharp or reduced-juice book (Pinnacle where available, Circa, or similar)
With these four accounts, you'll capture the best available price on 85%+ of bets. Adding more accounts increases coverage but with diminishing returns.
Using Tools to Streamline
Manually checking four apps before every bet is manageable. Tools like Oddible's line comparison feature automate this — showing you the best available price and which book has it without switching apps.
[See the best available odds on any bet with Oddible →]
