Teaser Betting Explained: Complete Guide to Adjusting Point Spreads
Get better odds with teaser bets. Learn how teasers work, when to use them, NFL key numbers, and smart teaser betting strategies.
What Is Teaser Betting?
A teaser is a parlay where you adjust the point spread or total in your favor by 6, 6.5, or 7 points in exchange for lower odds. You must win every leg to cash, just like a regular parlay.
Why teasers exist: They’re parlay bets with adjusted spreads. Sportsbooks offer them because the reduced odds and extra points balance out—most teasers are still -EV for bettors who don’t understand key numbers.
Simple Example
Original spreads:
- Chiefs -7.5
- 49ers -6.5
- Bills -5.5
6-point teaser:
- Chiefs -1.5 (7.5 points moved in your favor)
- 49ers +0.5 (6.5 points moved in your favor)
- Bills +0.5 (5.5 points moved in your favor)
Cost: All 3 legs must win at reduced odds (usually -130 for 2-team, 6-point teaser).
How Teaser Odds Work
Standard Teaser Payouts
| Teams | Points | Odds | Breakeven Win Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 teams | 6 points | -130 (-110 to -135) | 56.5% |
| 2 teams | 6.5 points | -135 (-120 to -150) | 57.4% |
| 2 teams | 7 points | -140 (-130 to -155) | 58.3% |
| 3 teams | 6 points | +140 (+130 to +155) | 41.6% |
| 3 teams | 6.5 points | +120 (+100 to +140) | 45.5% |
| 3 teams | 7 points | +100 (+90 to +120) | 50.0% |
Breakeven win rate = The percentage of bets you need to win to break even.
Example 2-team, 6-point teaser at -130:
- Risk $130 to win $100
- Need to win 130 times for every 100 losses
- Win rate: 130 / (130 + 100) = 56.5%
Higher win requirement than straight bets: Straight bets at -110 require 52.4% win rate. 2-team teaser at -130 requires 56.5%. You need significantly higher win rate to profit.
The “Wong Teaser” (Winning Strategy)
What Makes It Special
Stanford Wong discovered that 2-team, 6-point teasers on NFL spreads crossing key numbers (3 and 7) are +EV when priced at -130 or better.
Key Numbers in NFL
Why 3 and 7 matter:
- Field goals = 3 points
- Touchdowns = 7 points (6 + extra point)
- These are most common margins of victory
NFL final margin distribution (approximate):
- 3 points: 15% of games
- 7 points: 10% of games
- 6 points: 5% of games
- 4 points: 4% of games
Wong Teaser Rule
Cross BOTH key numbers:
- Original spread: -9, -8, +2.5, +1.5
- After 6-point teaser: -3, -2, +8.5, +7.5
Don’t tease:
- -7.5 (moves to -1.5, doesn’t cross 7)
- +2.5 (moves to +8.5, doesn’t cross 3)
Example Wong teaser:
- Chiefs -9 → -3 (crosses 7)
- 49ers -8 → -2 (crosses 7)
- Bills +1.5 → +7.5 (crosses 3)
Why it’s profitable: Buying 6 points that cross key numbers dramatically increases win probability enough to overcome the -130 price.
Wong teaser only works with:
- 2 teams only
- 6 points (not 6.5 or 7)
- NFL spreads (not totals)
- Odds of -130 or better
- Spreads that cross both 3 and 7
Teaser Betting by Sport
NFL Teasers (Most Profitable)
Best: Wong teasers (2-team, 6-point, crossing 3 and 7) Good: 3-team teasers crossing key numbers Bad: 6-point teasers not crossing 3 or 7
Example profitable teaser:
- Chiefs -9 → -3
- Cowboys -8 → -2
Example bad teaser:
- Chiefs -7.5 → -1.5 (doesn’t cross 7)
- Cowboys +3.5 → +9.5 (doesn’t cross 3)
NBA Teasers (Usually -EV)
NBA doesn’t have key numbers like NFL.
Problem: Points come in increments of 1, 2, 3—not concentrated like NFL.
NBA teaser reality:
- 6 points doesn’t cross magic numbers
- High-scoring games mean 6 points is less valuable
- Win rate improvement doesn’t justify reduced odds
Verdict: Avoid NBA teasers unless you find specific value.
College Football Teasers
Similar to NFL: Key numbers (3, 7) apply
Difference: More variance (wider spreads, bigger mismatches)
Caution: Don’t tease 20-point spreads. 6 points doesn’t help enough.
Teaser vs. Straight Bets: Which Is Better?
Math Comparison
Scenario: You like Chiefs -9 (-110) and Bills -8 (-110).
Option A: Straight bets
- Bet $100 on each ($200 total)
- Each needs 52.4% win rate to break even
- Expected value depends on your edge
Option B: 2-team, 6-point teaser
- Chiefs -9 → -3
- Bills -8 → -2
- Bet $130 to win $100 (at -130)
- Need 56.5% win rate to break even
If your original spread analysis:
- Chiefs -9 has 58% win rate
- Bills -8 has 57% win rate
Teaser win rate (crossing key numbers):
- Chiefs -3: 68% (10% boost)
- Bills -2: 66% (9% boost)
Both legs win probability: 0.68 × 0.66 = 44.9%
Problem: 44.9% < 56.5% required. Even with win rate boost, teaser is -EV in this example.
When teaser is +EV:
- Original spreads already +EV (you had edge)
- Crossing key numbers boosts win rate significantly
- Teaser odds aren’t too inflated
Smart Teaser Betting Strategies
1. Focus on NFL Spreads Only
NBA, MLB, soccer teasers are generally -EV.
Stick to NFL: Key numbers make teasers occasionally profitable.
2. Only Use 2-Team, 6-Point Teasers
3-team teasers require ~58% win rate per leg (very hard to achieve consistently).
2-team at -130: Requires 56.5% per leg (achievable on NFL with Wong teasers).
3. Cross Both 3 and 7
Spread must cross BOTH key numbers to get win rate boost.
| Original Spread | After 6-Point Teaser | Crosses 3? | Crosses 7? | Wong Teaser? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| -9 | -3 | ✅ | ✅ | Yes |
| -8 | -2 | ✅ | ✅ | Yes |
| -7.5 | -1.5 | ✅ | ❌ | No |
| +1.5 | +7.5 | ✅ | ✅ | Yes |
| +2.5 | +8.5 | ❌ | ✅ | No |
4. Shop for Best Teaser Odds
Different books offer different teaser prices.
Comparison:
- Book A: 2-team, 6-point at -130
- Book B: 2-team, 6-point at -135
- Book C: 2-team, 6-point at -120
Book C is best: Lower juice = lower breakeven win rate.
5. Use Teasers to Reduce Risk
Instead of risking $100 on straight bet, teaser 2 teams for $130.
Example:
- You like Chiefs -9 but want less variance
- Tease Chiefs -9 to -3 with another solid spread
- Reduced variance (more likely to cover)
- Higher win rate requirement (trade-off)
6. Avoid Totals Teasers
Total teasers are almost always -EV.
Problem: No key numbers in totals. 6 points doesn’t help enough.
Exception: Sometimes NFL totals teasers crossing 37 or 44 can be marginal +EV (rare).
Common Teaser Mistakes
1. Teasing Without Crossing Key Numbers
Teasing spreads that stay on same side of key numbers.
Example:
- Chiefs -7.5 → -1.5 (doesn’t cross 7)
- 49ers +2.5 → +8.5 (doesn’t cross 3)
Result: Win rate doesn’t increase enough to justify -130 odds.
Rule: If teaser doesn’t cross 3 AND 7, it’s -EV. Don’t do it.
2. Using Wrong Sports
NBA teasers, MLB run line teasers, soccer teasers are almost always bad bets.
Stick to: NFL spreads only.
3. Too Many Legs
4-team teasers require 60%+ win rate per leg (impossible to maintain).
Rule: Never exceed 3 teams. 2 teams is ideal.
4. Teasing Totals
“Let me tease this NFL total from 47.5 to 41.5.”
Problem: No key numbers. 6 points is meaningless for totals.
5. Ignoring Teaser Juice
-130 teaser needs 56.5% win rate. -140 needs 58.3%.
Many bettors think: “I’m getting free points, so I must be +EV.”
Reality: Points come at a price. Calculate if win rate boost justifies it.
6. Teasing College Football Big Spreads
Teasing -28 to -22 (still huge favorite).
Problem: 6 points doesn’t matter when spread is that big.
College football rule: Only tease when original spread is between -7.5 and +7.5 (spreads within 14 points total).
Teaser vs. Parlay vs. Straight Bets
| Bet Type | Win Probability (typical) | Payout | Risk | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Straight bet | 52-55% | 1.91x (-110) | Low | Consistent profits |
| 2-team parlay | 25-30% | 2.65x (+165) | High | Big wins (high variance) |
| 2-team, 6-point teaser | 45-50% | 1.77x (-130) | Medium | Reduced variance |
| Wong teaser (NFL) | 50-55% | 1.77x (-130) | Medium | +EV spots only |
Advanced Teaser Concepts
1. Buying Hooks vs. Teasers
Buying hook moves spread 0.5 points for extra juice.
Example:
- Chiefs -7.5 (-110) → Chiefs -7 (-120)
- Costs extra $10 on $100 bet
Teaser:
- Chiefs -7.5 → Chiefs -1.5 (6 points)
- Costs -130 instead of -110
Comparison: Teaser gives 6 points for $20 extra. Hook buying gives 0.5 points for $10 extra.
Verdict: Hook buying is usually better value unless teaser crosses key numbers.
2. Sweetheart Teasers
Some books offer “sweetheart” teasers with extra points for worse odds.
Example:
- 4 teams, 10 points each
- Odds: +100 (even money)
Problem: 4-team parlays with extra points are still -EV. Win rate doesn’t increase enough to justify +100.
3. Cross-Sport Teasers
Mixing NFL and NBA in same teaser.
Problem: Don’t do it. Key numbers only apply to NFL.
Teaser Betting FAQ
Are teasers ever profitable? Yes, specifically 2-team, 6-point NFL teasers crossing both 3 and 7 (Wong teasers) at -130 or better odds. Most other teasers are -EV.
What happens if one teaser leg pushes? That leg is removed, and parlay becomes single bet. 2-team teaser with one push = straight bet on remaining leg at reduced odds.
Can I tease totals? Technically yes, but it’s almost always -EV. Totals don’t have key numbers like NFL spreads.
What’s “Wong teaser”? 2-team, 6-point NFL teaser that crosses key numbers 3 and 7. Named after Stanford Wong, who proved these are mathematically +EV at -130.
Why are 3 and 7 key numbers in NFL? 3 (field goal) and 7 (touchdown + extra point) are the most common margins of victory, accounting for ~25% of all games.
Can I tease NBA spreads? You can, but it’s rarely profitable. NBA doesn’t have key numbers, so 6 points doesn’t boost win rate enough to justify reduced odds.
Teaser Betting Summary
Teaser bets let you move point spreads 6-7 points in your favor by combining 2-3 teams into a parlay with reduced odds. The only profitable teasers are “Wong teasers”—2-team, 6-point NFL teasers crossing key numbers 3 and 7 at -130 or better.
Key takeaways:
- Only use teasers on NFL spreads (not totals, NBA, MLB)
- Focus on 2-team, 6-point teasers (avoid 3+ teams)
- Must cross BOTH key numbers 3 and 7 to be +EV
- Shop for best teaser odds (-130 or better)
- Most teasers are -EV—only Wong teasers work
- Calculate if win rate boost justifies reduced odds
The truth: 99% of teasers are sucker bets. Books love them because they look easy (“free points!”) but the math kills you. Only Wong teasers are +EV, and finding enough of them is tough.
Better alternative: Find value in original spreads instead of teasing them. If a spread is wrong, bet it straight. If it’s slightly off, maybe buy a half-point. Only tease when you specifically cross NFL key numbers 3 and 7.
