A teaser lets you move every line in your parlay by a set number of points, usually 6 to 7 in football. -7.5 becomes -1.5, and an over 44.5 becomes over 38.5.
In exchange, the payout is fixed and much lower than a normal parlay. A common 6-point table pays -120 for two teams and +160 for three.
Teasers are most valuable when the points move a line through key numbers like 3 and 7.
How it works
A teaser works like a parlay, with one big difference: you move every point spread and total in your favour before the bet is placed. In exchange, the sportsbook pays a fixed price from its teaser table instead of multiplying the odds.
Football is where teasers are most common, because so many NFL games end with margins of 3 or 7. Moving a line through those key numbers turns a lot of narrow losses into wins. In basketball, scores are spread more evenly, so the same points are worth less, and teaser prices reflect that.
Things to know before betting one:
- Every leg must win. A teased leg that loses sinks the whole bet, just like a parlay.
- Price tables vary. A two-team, 6-point teaser might pay -110 at one sportsbook and -130 at another. That difference matters a lot over time.
- Ties and pushes. Rules differ. Some sportsbooks drop a pushed leg, others grade the whole teaser as a loss.
Teasers that move lines through 3 and 7 in the NFL are the ones most bettors consider worth looking at. Teasing a favorite from -8.5 to -2.5, or an underdog from +1.5 to +7.5, crosses both.
Examples
- Example 1
A two-team, 6-point NFL teaser at a typical price of -120: you risk $120 to win $100 if both legs cover.
- Example 2
Eagles -8 teased 6 points becomes Eagles -2, and Bears +1.5 becomes Bears +7.5. Both lines now cross 3 and 7.
- Example 3
A total of 47.5 teased 6 points: the over becomes over 41.5, and the under becomes under 53.5.
Common questions
Are teasers a good bet?
Most teasers carry a big margin for the sportsbook. They're most worth considering in the NFL, when the points move a line through 3 and 7.
What happens if a teaser leg pushes?
Rules vary by sportsbook. Some drop the leg and pay the smaller teaser, while others count a push as a loss. Check before you bet.
How many points can you tease?
Football teasers are usually 6, 6.5 or 7 points, and basketball teasers 4, 4.5 or 5. More points means a lower payout.