Half a point might not sound like much. But in sports betting, it's often the difference between a win, a loss, and a push.
Line shopping—comparing odds across multiple sportsbooks before placing a bet—is the single easiest way to improve your bottom line. It requires no handicapping skill, no special knowledge, and just a few extra minutes. Yet most recreational bettors don't do it.
Ohio has 16+ legal sportsbooks. That's 16+ different lines on every game. Let's talk about why that matters.
WHY LINES DIFFER BETWEEN BOOKS
You might assume all sportsbooks have the same lines. They don't. Here's why:
- Different customer bases - A book with more Browns fans will adjust lines to balance action differently than one with more neutral bettors
- Risk tolerance - Some books want balanced action; others will take positions
- Speed of adjustment - News affects lines, but not all books update at the same pace
- Competitive positioning - Some books intentionally offer better odds on certain markets to attract customers
Example: Same Game, Different Lines
| Sportsbook | Bengals Spread | Spread Odds | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| DraftKings | -3 | -110 | 47.5 |
| FanDuel | -2.5 | -110 | 47 |
| BetMGM | -3 | -105 | 47.5 |
| bet365 | -3 | -112 | 48 |
| Caesars | -3.5 | -110 | 47.5 |
In this example, if you like the Bengals, FanDuel has the best spread (-2.5 instead of -3). If you want -3 but better odds, BetMGM has -105 instead of -110. If you want the Over, bet365 has the lowest number at 48.
These differences happen constantly across every sport.
HOW MUCH DOES IT ACTUALLY MATTER?
Let's do the math on a common scenario:
The Impact of Better Odds
That $5 difference per bet adds up fast. And that's just on juice—not counting the extra wins from getting a half-point better on the spread.
💡 The Half-Point Rule
About 3% of NFL games land exactly on the spread. If you're taking +3 instead of +2.5, that half-point will turn a push into a loss roughly once every 33 games. Over a season of betting, that matters.
KEY NUMBERS IN EACH SPORT
Certain numbers matter more than others. In football, games land on 3 and 7 more than any other margins. In basketball, there's no equivalent—totals and spreads are more evenly distributed.
Key Numbers by Sport
When shopping lines around key numbers, even a half-point is massive. Getting +3.5 instead of +3 in football protects you against the most common margin of victory.
HOW TO LINE SHOP EFFICIENTLY
Have Accounts at Multiple Books
You need at least 3-4 sportsbooks to line shop effectively. In Ohio, the major options are DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, bet365, Caesars, and several others. Sign up for all of them—you'll get bonuses anyway.
Fund Multiple Accounts
Line shopping doesn't work if all your money is in one place. Spread your bankroll across your main books so you can always bet where the best number is.
Check Lines Before Every Bet
It takes 2-3 minutes to compare 4-5 books. Make it a habit. Never place a bet without checking at least 3 other options first.
Use Odds Comparison Tools
Sites like OddsShark, The Action Network, and others show real-time odds from multiple books. These save time compared to checking each app individually.
Act Fast on Outliers
When one book has a significantly different line, it usually corrects quickly. If you see value, bet it before it disappears.
WHICH BOOKS TO PRIORITIZE
Different sportsbooks tend to have strengths in different areas:
DraftKings
Often competitive on NFL and NBA spreads. Strong prop market depth. Good for parlays with frequent boosts.
FanDuel
Known for consistently offering half-point better spreads on select games. Strong same-game parlay odds. Good MLB lines.
BetMGM
Frequently offers -105 odds on spreads and totals instead of standard -110. Strong college sports coverage.
bet365
Excellent for live betting with fast line updates. Strong soccer coverage. Often has different totals than US-focused books.
Caesars
Good for futures markets and rewards program. Lines can be slower to move, creating opportunities.
LINE SHOPPING FOR DIFFERENT BET TYPES
Spreads
This is where line shopping matters most. A half-point on a spread directly affects your win rate. Always compare spreads across at least 3 books.
Totals
Totals vary less between books, but when they do differ, it can be significant. A total of 47 vs 47.5 in football matters around key numbers.
Moneylines
Moneyline odds can vary by 10-20 cents between books. On a -200 favorite, one book might be -190 while another is -210. That's real money.
Props
Prop lines vary the most. It's common to see player props differ by 1-2 points between books. Shopping props is essential.
Futures
Futures odds vary dramatically—sometimes by hundreds of points. A team at +2000 on one book might be +2800 on another. Always shop futures.
COMMON MISTAKES
- Only using one book - Convenience isn't worth the money you're leaving on the table
- Not funding multiple accounts - Having accounts means nothing if you can't bet where the best line is
- Shopping after placing the bet - Check first, bet second. Always.
- Ignoring the juice - A half-point doesn't help if you're paying -120 for it elsewhere
- Overcomplicating it - You don't need 10 accounts. 4-5 good books covers most situations.
✅ The Bottom Line
Line shopping is free edge. It requires no skill, just discipline. If you bet $100/game and make 200 bets a year, getting consistently better odds will save you hundreds of dollars—maybe more. There's no reason not to do it.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Lines differ between books—often by half a point or more
- Half points matter—they turn losses into pushes and pushes into wins
- Better juice adds up—-105 vs -110 saves real money over time
- Have 4-5 funded accounts—you need options to shop effectively
- Check before every bet—make it automatic, takes 2 minutes
- Props and futures vary most—always shop these extensively
📱 Compare Ohio Sportsbooks
See which Ohio sportsbooks offer the best odds, bonuses, and features. Sign up for multiple to maximize your line shopping edge. View our complete comparison.