What Is a Teaser Bet?
A teaser is a type of parlay where you adjust the point spread or total in your favor in exchange for reduced odds. Popular in NFL and NBA betting, teasers let you “buy” extra points for more comfortable margins.
How teasers work:
- Select 2-6 games
- Choose how many points to add (6, 6.5, 7, 10, or 13)
- All legs must win for the teaser to pay
- Odds are reduced compared to a standard parlay
How the Calculator Works
- Select teaser points - How many points to buy (6, 6.5, 7, 10, or 13)
- Select number of legs - How many games (2-6)
- Enter your stake - Amount to wager
- The calculator shows the odds and potential payout
Standard Teaser Odds
| Points | 2-Team | 3-Team | 4-Team | 5-Team | 6-Team |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6 | -110 | +160 | +260 | +400 | +600 |
| 6.5 | -120 | +140 | +240 | +360 | +500 |
| 7 | -130 | +120 | +200 | +320 | +450 |
| 10 | -200 | -110 | +120 | +180 | +250 |
| 13 | -350 | -170 | -110 | +110 | +150 |
Detailed Teaser Examples
Example 1: Standard 6-Point, 2-Team Teaser
Game 1: Chiefs -7.5 → becomes -1.5 Game 2: Bills -3 → becomes +3
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Teaser Points | 6 |
| Odds | -110 |
| Stake | $110 |
| Payout | $210 |
| Profit | $100 |
Both adjusted spreads give you much more comfortable margins while only requiring -110 juice.
Example 2: 6.5-Point, 3-Team Teaser
Game 1: Eagles -7 → becomes -0.5 Game 2: 49ers -3.5 → becomes +3 Game 3: Cowboys +1 → becomes +7.5
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Teaser Points | 6.5 |
| Odds | +140 |
| Stake | $100 |
| Payout | $240 |
| Profit | $140 |
Example 3: 7-Point, 4-Team Teaser
Game 1: Ravens -10 → becomes -3 Game 2: Bengals -7.5 → becomes -0.5 Game 3: Over 48.5 → becomes Over 41.5 Game 4: Under 51 → becomes Under 58
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Teaser Points | 7 |
| Odds | +200 |
| Stake | $50 |
| Payout | $150 |
| Profit | $100 |
The Wong Teaser Strategy
The mathematically optimal teaser strategy, named after Stanford Wong, focuses on 6-point, 2-team NFL teasers that cross through key numbers:
Rules
- Only 6-point teasers (some include 6.5)
- Only 2-team teasers (lowest house edge)
- Must cross through both 3 and 7
- Only use:
- Favorites of -7.5 to -8.5 (teased to -1.5 to -2.5)
- Underdogs of +1.5 to +2.5 (teased to +7.5 to +8.5)
Why These Numbers?
In the NFL, the most common margins of victory are 3 and 7 (field goals and touchdowns). By crossing through both numbers, you capture the highest concentration of game outcomes.
| Original Line | Teased Line | Crosses Through |
|---|---|---|
| -7.5 | -1.5 | 7, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 |
| -8 | -2 | 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 |
| -8.5 | -2.5 | 7, 6, 5, 4, 3 |
| +1.5 | +7.5 | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| +2 | +8 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 |
| +2.5 | +8.5 | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
Historical Win Rates
Wong teasers at -110 have shown historical win rates of approximately:
- Individual leg win rate: ~74-76%
- 2-team teaser win rate: ~55-57%
- Break-even at -110: 52.4%
- Expected edge: ~2-5%
Teasers vs Parlays
| Feature | 2-Team Teaser | 2-Team Parlay |
|---|---|---|
| Point adjustment | +6 to +13 | None |
| Odds (6pt) | -110 | ~+264 |
| Win probability | ~55-60% | ~27% |
| Risk level | Lower | Higher |
| Potential payout | Lower | Higher |
| Best for | NFL key numbers | Any sport |
| Edge potential | Possible (Wong) | Very difficult |
Payout Comparison ($100 stake)
| Bet Type | Odds | Payout | Win Prob (est.) | EV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-team teaser (6pt) | -110 | $191 | 55% | +$5 |
| 2-team parlay | +264 | $364 | 27% | -$2 |
| 3-team teaser (6pt) | +160 | $260 | 40% | +$4 |
| 3-team parlay | +596 | $696 | 12.5% | -$13 |
Teaser Bet Rules by Sportsbook
Push Rules (Important!)
Different sportsbooks handle pushes differently:
| Rule Type | Description | Effect |
|---|---|---|
| Reduce | Push reduces legs by 1 | 3-team becomes 2-team payout |
| Lose | Push = loss | Entire teaser loses |
| Win | Push = win | Most favorable for bettor |
| No action | Push voids the bet | Stake returned |
Always check your sportsbook’s push rules before placing teasers.
Ties in NFL
If a teased line lands exactly on the number (e.g., team wins by exactly 3 after teasing from -9 to -3), this is a push. Half-point lines eliminate this possibility.
When to Use Teasers
Best Situations
- NFL spreads through key numbers (3 and 7)
- 6-point teasers with 2 teams - best mathematical value
- Games with spreads between 1.5 and 8.5 - crossing through 3 and 7
- Totals around 49-51 in NFL (crossing through key totals)
- Thursday/Monday night games - more data available
When to Avoid
- Large spreads (14+) - unlikely to change the outcome
- 3+ team teasers - house edge increases significantly
- NBA teasers - less valuable than NFL due to higher scoring and fewer key numbers
- Non-key number crossings - moving from -5 to +1 doesn’t capture key margins
- Early week lines - wait for line movement to settle
Common Teaser Mistakes
1. Too Many Legs
Each additional leg reduces your win probability dramatically:
- 2-team: ~55%
- 3-team: ~40%
- 4-team: ~28%
- 5-team: ~18%
- 6-team: ~12%
2. Not Crossing Key Numbers
A 6-point teaser from -4 to +2 crosses through 3 but not 7. This captures only one key number.
3. Using Large Teaser Points
10 and 13-point teasers have such reduced odds (-200, -350) that the mathematical edge disappears.
4. Ignoring Totals
NFL totals around 49-51 can be excellent teaser legs when teased through 49 (7 touchdowns).
NFL Key Numbers Explained
In order of frequency as margins of victory:
| Margin | Frequency | Scoring Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | ~15% | Field goal |
| 7 | ~10% | Touchdown |
| 10 | ~6% | TD + FG |
| 6 | ~5% | Two FGs or TD (no XP) |
| 14 | ~5% | Two TDs |
| 4 | ~4% | FG + safety |
| 1 | ~4% | XP difference |
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if one leg of a teaser pushes?
Rules vary by sportsbook. Most reduce the teaser by one leg (3-team becomes 2-team payout). Some books treat a push as a loss.
Are teasers profitable long-term?
The Wong teaser strategy (6-point, 2-team, crossing 3 and 7) has shown historical win rates around 55-57% at -110 odds, suggesting possible long-term profitability.
Can I tease totals?
Yes, most sportsbooks allow teasing totals by the same number of points as spreads.
What’s the best number of teams for a teaser?
2-team teasers have the lowest house edge. Each additional team reduces your win probability significantly.
Do teasers work in the NBA?
NBA teasers are less profitable than NFL teasers due to fewer key numbers and higher scoring variance.
What’s the difference between a teaser and a pleaser?
A teaser moves lines in your favor (reduced odds). A pleaser moves lines against you (enhanced odds). Pleasers are much harder to win.