Line Shopping

Line Shopping

We all have our favorite sportsbook due to great lines, promotions, user friendly interface and app experience, to name a few popular reasons.

This is understandable. However, having access to multiple sportsbooks is critical for a wide range of reasons. Most importantly, prices and lines can vary drastically across the sportsbook market, as each bookmaker posts their own odds.

We recommend depositing money into multiple sportsbooks, allowing you to take full advantage of promotional welcome offers while accessing the best prices available for your bets. This practice is known as 'increasing your outs' which is crucial for building profit!

Line shopping alone is estimated to have a +$1,000 impact on the average sports bettors' bankroll annually. This article will examine multiple markets and show how pricing and lines can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook.

Line Shopping Examples

NFL Week 18 Money Line Example:

If you like the Bengals to win on the money line, you would want to bet them on DraftKings sportsbook or BetRivers at -122. Most of the market has it at - 125 or -130.

If you like the Steelers to win the game on the money line, currently, mid-week, the best numbers are at BetMGM, Bet365 or FanDuel at +110. Other books around the market have it from +105 to as low as +102.

This is just one example of how the books vary in pricing. If you can access only one or two sportsbooks, you are limited to the best line or pricing. This is the story for every game, fight, and future bet, which is why increasing your outs is key.

NFL Week 18 Spread Example:

Mainly around the market, the Bengals are favourites of -1.5. However, you may have an account with three popular books with it at -2. If you were to bet this line, you would want it at -1.5 on the Bengals, and we suggest betting it at BetRivers.

The same goes for the Steelers; if you like them, we want to bet them at +2. I only see three +2s in the market at popular books like DraftKings, Caesars and Bet365.

Future Market Example:

Super Bowl LIX winner odds as of Jan 4, 2025

Chiefs +375 best odds DraftKings (lines vary from +340 to +360)

Lions +470 bets odds FanDuel (lines vary from +400 to +450)

Ravens +700 best odds DraftKings (lines vary from +650 to +675)

Bucs +4000 best odds DraftKings (lines vary from +2500 to +3500)

For this future market example, why wouldn’t you have an account with DraftKings, as it seems to have the most consistent best odds around the market?

UFC Fight Night (Jan 11th) Example:

In the main event, two ladies will headline the return of the UFC after its break. Amanda Ribas is the market favourite around all sportsbooks, however. The pricing varies from book to book.

The best market number on Ribas is -188 currently at Betway. The market varies from as high as -218 at a more significant book.

If you like the underdog, Dern, the best current market number is +180 at DraftKings. FanDuel and Betway have it as low as +150. If you like Dern, why wouldn’t you bet it at DraftKings? Oh, yeah, because you only have access to ONE SPORTSBOOK.

I could go on forever in each sport, example after example. My challenge to you, the reader, is to check next time you place a wager on multiple books to see the difference.

User Experience

Here at HotTakes, we have tried all the sportsbook apps and can say some are more user-friendly. Some we find freeze at times or log you out, and some of the layout isn’t user-friendly. Although pricing is the most important factor, good user experience is always desirable too.

Promotions

The best promotions are typically offered upon sign-up, such as large first time deposit matches or free bets, but there is still many promotions to take advantage of throughout the year. You should be looking to maximize on-going promotional offers such as:

Boosted odds (that are +EV)

Profit boosters (typically requires SGP of 3+ legs)

Risk-free bets (bet credit rebate on loss)

And many more

Deposit and Withdrawal

Most sportsbooks have different options for depositing and withdrawing. For some users who enjoy bank transfers or PayPal, this payment option isn’t available on all sportsbooks.

Books also vary in withdrawal speed, especially the smaller ones. Be cautious when picking one. Our home page has a section called sportsbooks, so review that section for trusted sportsbooks in the industry.

Conclusion

Overall, after reading this, you should know that having access and money in multiple accounts is an essential tool when betting on sports. Please visit our sportsbook section on the home page to get reviews and ratings on some we have partnered with.