Teaser Betting – The Ultimate Guide
Sometimes overlooked by bettors, teasers are another way to put down a wager at the sportsbook — but with extra flexibility and additional advantages. They might seem complicated at first, but we’re here to change that. In our handy guide below, we’ll run you through all you need to know about teaser sports betting. And once you’re up to speed, you can use our site to compare sportsbooks, sign up, and try it out for yourself. Let’s jump in!
What is a Teaser Bet?
In sports betting, a teaser bet combines point spreads or totals on at least two games into a single wager, with the ability to change or ‘tease’ the spread or total. This type of bet is most popular on NFL and NBA markets. There are a couple of concepts to get your head around to understand how a teaser bet works.
First up is the idea of ‘buying’ and ‘selling’ points, where the bettors can adjust the point spread or total (over/under) for a given game in return for a different payout if the bet wins. Say you’re betting on Cowboys vs Giants, and the spread is 3.5. You bet on Cowboys who are the favorites. They need to win the match by at least 3.5 points for the bet to succeed. You can ‘buy’ points to move the line in your favor, reducing the spread to 1.5 points, for example. This makes the wager more likely to win, with the trade-off that the payout is reduced.
Second, you need to know how parlays work. With these wagers, you’re making several selections or ‘legs’ and combining them into one bet. Every leg has to succeed for you to receive a payout.
A teaser bet is essentially a parlay where the bettor can buy or sell points to move the spread or total in their favor across all selections. Let’s see it in action. Imagine the following parlay with odds of +350:
- Vikings -5
- Bills +8
- Packers -20
You could tease this bet by 5.5 points, changing the spreads to the following:
- Vikings +0.5
- Bills +13.5
- Packers -14.5
This reduces the odds — let’s say to +125 — and thus the payout, but the bet is substantially easier to win. It’s this control of the risk-vs-reward dynamic that makes teasers appealing to some bettors.
How Much to Tease
Of course, that raises the question of how many points to tease. It’s important to do your own research and analysis of each match to see where there could be value. For example, you may want to consider how you think each team will perform and whether the given spread is an accurate reflection of that.
There are also some good rules of thumb depending on the sport you’re betting on. For NFL bets, the most common teaser options are 6, 6.5, or 7 points. Teasing these numbers can be advantageous because they allow you to move through key point differentials, such as 3 and 7. These are common margins of victory in NFL games, so teasing through them can increase your chances of winning. For teasers on basketball, 4, 4.5, or 5 points are most common, although these bets can be riskier as NBA games tend to be higher scoring and have more unpredictable outcomes.
Pros and Cons of Teaser Sports Betting
Not sure if teasers are right for you? Here’s a quick summary of the benefits and drawbacks.
Pros & Cons
Positives
- Control Your Risk – Teaser bets allow you to adjust the game lines in your favor, reducing the risk of losing compared to parlays.
- Increased Probability of Winning – By teasing through key numbers (for example 3 and 7 in NFL), you can increase the probability of your bets winning.
- Higher Payouts Than Straight Bets – Just like with parlays, you’re combining multiple selections into one bet, and all must win for it to succeed. This increased risk means you’ll get a higher payout if your bet wins.
- Flexibility – You can pick which games and lines to include in your teaser, tailoring the bet to your analysis.
- Entertainment Value – Some bettors enjoy putting money down on multiple simultaneous games, which can add additional excitement to the betting experience.
Negatives
- Lower Payouts Than Parlays – While teaser bets offer higher payouts than straight bets, they usually provide lower payouts than standard parlays. This is due to the reduced risk from adjusting the lines.
- Can Be Difficult to Win – Despite the fact you’re moving the lines in your favor, teaser bets can still be challenging to win as each leg of the bet must succeed.
- Potential Pushes – If the final point spread or total lands on the teased number and the bet ties, this may be considered a loss depending on the sportsbook’s rules.
- Reduced Value – Sportsbooks often increase the vig on their teaser odds, making them less favorable than standard game lines.
How to Make a Teaser Bet
Once you’re ready to give it a try, betting on a teaser is simple — follow these steps:
- Use our site to compare sportsbooks and welcome offers. Click through to sign up and make your first deposit.
- Head to the markets by selecting your sport from the menu. Teasers aren’t available on every sport, and are most commonly used for betting on NBA and NFL.
- Make at least two picks across different matches. You’ll need to select point spreads, totals (over/under), or a mixture of both. These will appear in your betslip.
- Select the teaser option from within the betslip — this may be a separate tab or a box you need to check.
- Buy or sell points using the plus and minus buttons to adjust the spread or points total. The odds will update as you do so, letting you see the potential payout.
- Enter your desired stake, making sure to bet within your limits.
- Click to confirm the teaser.
That’s it! All you have to do now is wait for your selected games to play out. Remember, each leg of the teaser has to win for the bet to succeed. You can view your bet at any time from within your sportsbook account, where you’ll also be able to access early cash out if it’s available.
Pushes and Ties
As teasers require betting on point spreads and totals, it’s possible for one of your picks to land on the teased number, resulting in a push or tie. Some betting sites will count this as a loss, while others will simply remove the leg from your teaser and adjust the odds accordingly. Check your sportsbook’s house rules before you bet. You can also avoid a push by teasing the line to a decimal, such as +1.5 or -4.5.
Teaser Bet Tips and Strategies
As with all types of sports betting, you’ll want to consider your strategy if you want to make the most of your wagers. Understanding the fundamentals of teasers is the best place to start, but here are some of our top tips once you’re ready to put your new knowledge into action:
- Choose Wisely – Select your teaser bets carefully. Focus on games and point spreads or totals that offer the most value based on your analysis and research. Look for situations where teasing the lines will give you a better chance of winning.
- Tease Through Key Numbers – In sports like NFL football, key numbers like 3 and 7 are common margins of victory, and teasing through these numbers can be advantageous.
- Limit Your Selections – The more legs you add to your teaser, the harder it is to win. By sticking to three or four picks, you can limit your risk to a more reasonable amount.
- Stay Informed – Keeping up with the latest news and developments in your favorite sports is a good way to make informed bets.
- Bankroll Management – Set a budget before you bet, and be sure to only wager what you can afford to lose. You might consider betting stakes that are around 1–2% of your total bankroll. Avoid chasing losses and call it a day once you’ve hit your limit.
- Shop for the Best Odds – Different sportsbooks offer different teaser odds and options. Consider shopping around to find the most favorable odds and lines for your selections. Our odds comparison tools make it easy to browse prices at a range of bookmakers.
Alternate Game Lines
It’s also worth considering betting on alternate game lines rather than placing a teaser. These markets allow bettors to pick a different spread or total to the standard lines offered, with adjusted odds and payouts.
The benefit? Unlike a teaser, you can bet on these markets with just one selection. You can also combine alternate game lines into a parlay — this is the same as a teaser in practice, but you may find the odds to be more favorable due to less juice on the bet. Check your sportsbook’s rules around pushes too, as these may count as a loss as part of a teaser but simply be voided in a parlay.
Compare Sportsbooks, Sign Up, and Place Your Teaser Bet
Now you’ve reached the end of our teaser betting guide, all that’s left to do is give it a try. Here at BettingOdds, we’ve partnered with the best sportsbooks around to make your search easy. Simply browse our selection and the welcome offers available, then click through to sign up. Once you’ve made a deposit, you can head to the markets and pick teams for your teaser bet. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a teaser bet?
A teaser bet is a sports wager similar to a parlay. Placing one requires at least two point spread or totals (over/under) bets on different games. The key feature of a teaser is the bettor can then adjust the spreads or totals in their favor by a certain number of points in exchange for a reduced payout compared to a standard parlay.
Is a teaser different from a parlay?
Teasers and parlays are very similar. Both require multiple selections, but in a parlay, you’re taking the lines given by the bookmaker, whereas a teaser allows you to adjust the lines in your favor.
What is the best number of points to tease?
It depends on the sport you’re betting on. 6, 6.5, or 7 are common amounts for NFL teasers, while 4, 4.5, and 5 are popular for basketball. Teasing these numbers can be advantageous because they allow you to move through key point differentials in each sport, such as 3 and 7 in football. In any case, your own analysis is crucial. Teasing can be a valuable tool that provides an advantage if you think a team is undervalued or overvalued by the bookmaker.
Can you tease both sides of a game?
Yes, but not within the same teaser. A teaser bet requires at least two spreads or totals bets on different games. There are also very few scenarios where teasing both sides of a game is beneficial, so be sure to do plenty of research before placing such a bet.
Are teaser bets profitable in the long run?
Teaser bets can be profitable in the long run, but — as with any form of sports betting — there are no guarantees. For the best chance of making a profit, the usual advice applies, such as a deep understanding of the sport you’re betting on, ample research and analysis of each team, and disciplined bankroll management. Bettors may also want to consider that teasers often come with higher vig than other wagers.
Can I cash out a teaser bet?
Whether you can cash out a teaser bet depends on the rules of your sportsbook and can vary from site to site. To be sure, check the terms and conditions before you wager. You may also see an indication on your betslip if your teaser is eligible for early cash out.
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