Teaser Bets Explained
Everything you need to know about teaser bets — how they work, optimal strategy, and when they actually make sense for your bankroll.
By
Eric Pauly
Feb 26, 2026
7 min read
What Are Teaser Bets?
A teaser bet is a type of parlay where you get to adjust the point spread or total in your favor — but at the cost of reduced odds. Think of it as buying points across multiple selections bundled into one wager. Every leg of your teaser must win for the bet to pay out, just like a parlay, but you're getting more favorable numbers on each pick.
Teasers are most commonly used in NFL and NBA betting. The standard NFL teaser gives you 6 extra points on each selection, while NBA teasers typically offer 4 to 5 points. The tradeoff is straightforward: you get better numbers, but the payout is lower than a standard parlay at the original lines.
If you've ever looked at a spread and thought "I like this team, but not at -7.5" — teasers exist to solve exactly that problem. But like everything in sports betting, there's a right way and a wrong way to use them.
article Summary
TL;DR: Teaser bets let you move point spreads/totals in your favor across multiple games. The standard 2-team, 6-point NFL teaser at -110 is the only consistently +EV teaser strategy. Focus on crossing key numbers (specifically 3 and 7 in the NFL), and avoid teasers in the NBA and college football where key numbers don't exist the same way.
How Teaser Bets Work
Here's the mechanics. A standard 2-team, 6-point NFL teaser typically pays around -110 (meaning you risk $110 to win $100). You pick two or more games and move each spread or total by 6 points in your favor.
Example: Say the Kansas City Chiefs are -7.5 and the Buffalo Bills are +1.5 this week. In a 6-point teaser, those lines become Chiefs -1.5 and Bills +7.5. Both adjusted lines need to cover for your teaser to win.
You can also tease totals. If a game has a total of 47.5, you could tease the under to 53.5 or the over down to 41.5. Most sportsbooks let you mix spreads and totals in the same teaser.
The number of points you can tease varies by sport and sportsbook:
NFL: 6, 6.5, 7, 10, or 13 points (6-point is standard)
NBA: 4, 4.5, 5, or 6 points
College football/basketball: Available at some books, same general structure
More points means a worse payout. A 10-point NFL teaser pays significantly less than a 6-point one. And adding more legs increases the payout but also increases the probability of losing — same dynamic as parlays.
The Only Teaser Strategy That Actually Works
Let's cut to it: the "Wong teaser" is the gold standard, and it's backed by decades of data. Named after Stanford Wong, who published research on it in the early 2000s, the strategy is simple:
Only bet 2-team, 6-point NFL teasers
Only tease through the key numbers of 3 and 7
Only bet at -110 or better odds
The logic is rooted in NFL scoring patterns. A huge percentage of NFL games are decided by 3 points (field goal) or 7 points (touchdown). When you tease a -7.5 favorite down to -1.5, you're crossing through both 3 and 7. When you tease a +1.5 underdog up to +7.5, same thing.
The numbers that matter most:
Tease favorites of -7.5 to -8.5 down through 3 and 7 → becomes -1.5 to -2.5
Tease underdogs of +1.5 to +2.5 up through 3 and 7 → becomes +7.5 to +8.5
Historical data shows these specific teasers win at rates above 72%, which at -110 odds makes them profitable long-term. That's the breakeven point — you need to win about 72.4% of 2-team teasers at -110 to profit.
When to Avoid Teasers
Teasers aren't a magic button. Here's when they don't make sense:
NBA teasers: The NBA doesn't have key numbers the way the NFL does. Games aren't regularly decided by 3 or 7 points. The scoring is too high-variance and the margins are more evenly distributed. NBA teasers are generally -EV.
3+ leg teasers: Every leg you add decreases your win probability significantly. A 3-team teaser at +180 needs to hit about 64% of the time to break even, but the math rarely supports that with real-world win rates. Stick to 2-team.
Teasers at bad odds: If your book offers 2-team teasers at -120 or worse, the edge disappears. You need -110 or better. Some books have moved to -115 or -120 as a standard — avoid those for teasers.
Teasing totals: While it's technically allowed, the key-number advantage doesn't apply to totals the same way it does to spreads. Totals are more variable and harder to predict within a 6-point window. Most sharp teaser bettors stick to sides only.
College football: More variance in talent level, more blowouts, and the key numbers of 3 and 7 aren't as sticky. The Wong teaser research was done on NFL data specifically.
Pros and Cons of Teaser Bets
Pros:
Lower variance than parlays. You're getting better numbers on each leg, so the swings are less dramatic.
Proven +EV strategy exists. The Wong teaser is one of the few betting strategies with a solid mathematical foundation and historical evidence supporting it.
Good for risk-averse bettors. If you prefer higher hit rates over big payouts, 2-team teasers fit that profile.
Available at every major sportsbook. No hunting for niche markets — teasers are standard.
Cons:
Low payouts. At -110 for a 2-team teaser, you're grinding small edges. This isn't a get-rich-quick play.
All legs must win. One loss kills the whole ticket, just like a parlay.
Limited profitable spots. The Wong strategy only applies to specific spreads. You might find 0-2 qualifying teasers per NFL week.
Books are wise to it. Some sportsbooks have adjusted teaser odds to -115 or -120, eroding the edge. Shop around.
How to Place a Teaser Bet
The process is straightforward on any major sportsbook:
Add two or more selections to your bet slip (spreads or totals)
Look for the "Teaser" option on your bet slip — it's usually next to "Parlay" and "Straight"
Select your point adjustment (6 points is standard for NFL)
Enter your stake and confirm
A few tips on execution:
Line shop. Different books offer different teaser odds. The difference between -110 and -115 matters over hundreds of bets.
Check for ties. Some books push (refund) on ties, others count ties as losses. "Ties win" or "ties push" books are more favorable — this matters more than you'd think.
Bet early in the week. NFL lines move throughout the week. The best teaser numbers are often available on Tuesday or Wednesday when lines first open.
Teaser bets are one of the few areas where recreational bettors can find a genuine mathematical edge — if they're disciplined about when and how they use them. Stick to the Wong strategy, shop for the best odds, and think of teasers as a grind, not a gamble.
Teaser Bets FAQ
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