Compare Sportsbooks Before You Place Your Bet

If you're serious about sports betting, you already know that where you place your bet can be just as important as the bet itself.

Different sportsbooks can post different spreads, totals, moneylines and player props on the exact same game.

That's why we believe every handicapper should shop the number before placing a wager.

At Lay The Points, our sportsbook reviews focus on the betting lines and markets available to bettors rather than simply ranking sportsbooks based on bonuses or flashy promotions.

Our goal is simple:

Help you find the information you need to make better betting decisions.

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Offshore Sportsbooks vs. Stateside Sportsbooks

The sportsbooks reviewed on this page — including BetOnline, SportsBetting.ag, BetUS, MyBookie, XBet, BUSR and BetPhoenix — are offshore sportsbooks.

They represent an alternative category to the stateside sportsbooks available to bettors in jurisdictions where regulated sports betting is legal.

For example, bettors in eligible states may have access to established sportsbooks such as Circa and Borgata, along with large retail-oriented platforms such as DraftKings and FanDuel.

These different types of sportsbooks can have very different approaches to setting lines, pricing wagers, promotions and betting markets.

That's why we don't believe bettors should automatically assume that one sportsbook will have the best number on every game.

The best sportsbook for a particular wager may simply be the sportsbook offering the best number.

Stateside Sharp Sportsbooks

Sportsbooks such as Circa have developed a reputation among serious bettors and professional handicappers for their role in the sports betting market.

For a handicapper, a sportsbook such as Circa can be particularly useful as a reference point when evaluating where the market is moving.

Borgata is another established stateside sportsbook available in regulated markets.

The important point isn't necessarily choosing one book over another.

It's comparing the numbers.

Retail Sportsbooks

DraftKings and FanDuel have become two of the biggest names in U.S. sports betting.

Their platforms offer enormous betting menus, player props, live betting, same-game parlays and numerous promotional offers.

For recreational bettors, the convenience and selection can be major advantages.

For handicappers, however, the same question always applies:

What number are they offering?

Offshore Sportsbooks

Offshore sportsbooks provide another set of numbers for bettors to compare.

The offshore books reviewed by Lay The Points offer betting markets across major professional and college sports, along with varying selections of props, parlays, futures and live betting.

That does not mean an offshore sportsbook is automatically better than a regulated stateside sportsbook.

It means that it is another market to compare.

And for a handicapper, having additional numbers to compare can be useful.

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Offshore Sportsbook Comparison

The sportsbooks below are offshore alternatives to regulated stateside sportsbooks.

We recommend comparing their numbers with stateside books such as Circa, Borgata, DraftKings and FanDuel before placing a wager.

 

What Matters to a Handicapper

This table isn't intended to declare one sportsbook the winner.

The purpose is to give you several places to compare the number.

Before betting, check the:

• Point spread

• Moneyline

• Game total

• Player props

• Alternate lines

• Live betting lines

A sportsbook may have the best number on one game and a worse number on the next.

That's why we believe line shopping is more important than loyalty to one sportsbook.

Don't just pick the team. Pick the number.

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Our Sportsbook Reviews

We've put together individual reviews of each sportsbook to help you understand what they offer and how they may fit into your betting strategy.

Our reviews look at the things that matter to sports bettors, including:

• Betting lines

• Point spreads

• Moneylines

• Game totals

• Player props

• Live betting

• Parlays

• Same-game parlays

• Futures

• Sports selection

• Horse racing where available

• Banking and withdrawal policies

• Promotions and rollover requirements

• Regulatory and jurisdictional considerations

BetOnline Sportsbook Review

BetOnline offers a broad selection of sports and betting markets, including the major U.S. professional sports.

Our review looks at BetOnline from a handicapper's perspective, with particular attention to betting lines, spreads, totals, props, parlays and live betting.

[READ THE FULL BETONLINE REVIEW →]

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SportsBetting.ag Sportsbook Review

SportsBetting.ag offers betting markets across major professional and college sports as well as international events.

Our review examines its sportsbook lines, props, futures, live betting, parlays and other wagering options.

[READ THE FULL SPORTSBETTING.AG REVIEW →]

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BetUS Sportsbook Review

BetUS offers a large selection of sports and wagering options, including spreads, moneylines, totals, props, parlays and live betting.

Our review looks at BetUS specifically from the standpoint of finding and comparing betting numbers.

[READ THE FULL BETUS REVIEW →]

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MyBookie Sportsbook Review

MyBookie offers a broad selection of professional, college and international sports.

Our review covers its betting lines, odds, player props, live betting, parlays, same-game parlays and futures.

MyBookie's current sportsbook displays real-time markets across football, basketball, soccer, tennis and other sports, illustrating the breadth of markets available on the platform.

[READ THE FULL MYBOOKIE REVIEW →]

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XBet Sportsbook Review

XBet offers betting on major U.S. sports and international events, with traditional spreads, moneylines and totals alongside props, live betting and same-game parlays.

Our review examines XBet through the eyes of a handicapper, with particular attention to available lines and live markets.

[READ THE FULL XBET REVIEW →]

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BetUSR / BUSR Sportsbook Review

BetUSR is now BUSR, so our review covers both names.

BUSR currently offers sports betting alongside casino and horse racing, with coverage that includes NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, soccer, tennis, golf, boxing and college sports. Its current site also advertises live in-game betting and a dedicated racebook.

Our review covers BUSR's betting lines, sports markets, props, live betting, parlays and horse racing.

[READ THE FULL BETUSR / BUSR REVIEW →]

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BetPhoenix Sportsbook Review

BetPhoenix offers betting across major sports including NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, UFC, boxing, soccer, tennis and college sports, along with horse racing.

Our review focuses on its betting numbers and the markets available to sports handicappers, including props, parlays, live betting and futures.

[READ THE FULL BETPHOENIX REVIEW →]

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Why Betting Lines Matter

The most important thing to understand about sports betting is that the team isn't the entire bet.

The number matters.

Imagine you're handicapping an NFL game and you believe the favorite is worth playing at -2.5.

You check several sportsbooks and find:

Circa: -3

DraftKings: -3

FanDuel: -3

BetOnline: -2.5

BetUS: -2.5

Your handicap hasn't changed.

The teams haven't changed.

The game hasn't changed.

But the bet has changed.

Getting -2.5 instead of -3 may be exactly what you were looking for.

The same principle applies to totals.

If you like an NBA game Over 224.5, you don't want to blindly accept Over 227.5.

And if you handicap a running back Over 74.5 rushing yards, you don't want to automatically bet Over 79.5 simply because that's the first number you see.

The number matters.

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Don't Just Pick the Team. Pick the Number.

This is one of the central ideas behind Lay The Points.

We're handicappers.

We're interested in finding an edge before the wager is made — and part of that process is determining whether the current line still offers value.

That's why our daily picks identify the line we're using.

But betting markets move.

A line available when we post a pick may not be available several hours later.

That's why we encourage readers to compare the line at multiple sportsbooks before making a wager.

You may find a better spread.

You may find a better price.

You may find a better total.

You may find a player prop that hasn't moved as much as the rest of the market.

Line shopping is part of handicapping.

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What We Look For in a Sportsbook

Our sportsbook reviews concentrate on the features that matter to bettors rather than simply repeating promotional information.

Betting Lines

How competitive are the spreads, totals and moneylines?

Sports Selection

Does the sportsbook cover the leagues and sports you actually bet?

Player Props

Are there enough player and game props to give handicappers additional markets?

Live Betting

How extensive are the in-game markets and how quickly do the lines change?

Parlays & Same-Game Parlays

What options are available for bettors who use multiple-leg wagers?

Futures

Does the sportsbook offer season-long markets and championship futures?

Banking

What deposit and withdrawal methods are available, and what restrictions apply?

Promotions

What are the actual terms behind the advertised bonus?

A large bonus doesn't automatically make a sportsbook better.

Always read the rollover requirements and other promotional restrictions before accepting an offer.

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Why Line Shopping Matters

You don't have to choose one sportsbook and use it for every wager.

In fact, serious line shoppers generally don't.

You might use a stateside sportsbook for one wager, find a better number at another regulated book on the next game, and discover that an offshore sportsbook is offering a number worth comparing on another market.

The important thing is knowing what you're betting.

Don't just ask: "Who is going to win?"

Ask:

"What number can I get?"

That's the philosophy behind Lay The Points.

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Use Our Picks — Then Shop Around

Our goal at Lay The Points is to provide free sports betting picks and handicapping information that you can use to make your own wagering decisions.

When we publish a pick, we identify the line we're using.

But the market can move.

That's why we recommend checking several sportsbooks before placing your wager.

You may find a better spread.

You may find a better total.

You may find a better moneyline.

Or you may find the exact number we're using.

That's your job as the bettor: find the best number available.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best sportsbook?

There isn't one sportsbook that is automatically best for every bettor.

The best sportsbook for you depends on the sports you bet, the markets you use, the lines available and the terms that apply in your jurisdiction.

That's why comparing sportsbooks is more useful than simply naming one winner.

Why should I compare sportsbook odds?

Different sportsbooks can post different spreads, totals, moneylines and prop prices.

Comparing several books gives you the opportunity to find a more favorable number or price before placing your wager.

What sportsbook has the best betting lines?

There is no sportsbook that has the best line on every game.

Lines move constantly, which is why serious bettors compare multiple sportsbooks rather than relying on one book for every wager.

What is line shopping?

Line shopping means comparing the odds and betting lines available at multiple sportsbooks before placing a wager.

For example, if one sportsbook has an NFL team at -3 and another has the same team at -2.5, the difference can be important.

Should I use an offshore sportsbook instead of a stateside sportsbook?

That's a decision each bettor needs to make based on their location, preferences and understanding of the applicable laws and risks.

Our purpose is to review the offshore books and explain what they offer—not to suggest that offshore sportsbooks are automatically better than regulated stateside sportsbooks.

Are offshore sportsbooks legal where I live?

Sports betting laws vary by state and jurisdiction.

Stateside sportsbooks operate under the regulatory framework of the jurisdictions where they are licensed. Offshore sportsbooks operate under different regulatory frameworks and should not be assumed to provide the same consumer protections as state-licensed U.S. sportsbooks.

Always check the laws and regulations that apply where you live before opening an account or placing a wager.

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Final Word

A sportsbook is a tool.

Your handicap determines which side you want.

The sportsbook determines the number you can bet.

The difference between those two things is where line shopping comes in.

At Lay The Points, we'll continue providing free sports betting picks, analysis and betting information.

You provide the discipline.

We'll help you find the points.

Don't just pick the team. Pick the number.