If you’ve ever looked at sportsbook menus, you’ve probably seen “teasers” listed alongside parlays. While parlays combine multiple bets for bigger payouts, teasers let you adjust the point spread or total in your favor by a set number of points.
That sounds great — more points for your side should mean more wins, right? But as with everything in betting, there’s a tradeoff: reduced payouts and hidden sportsbook edge.
This guide breaks down teasers in sports betting, how they work, when to use them, and why they’re especially popular in the NFL.
What Are Teasers in Sports Betting?
A teaser is a type of parlay that allows you to shift the point spread or total by a fixed amount (commonly 6, 6.5, or 7 points).
- NFL Example:
- Original lines: Chiefs -8.5, Ravens +2.5.
- 6-point teaser: Chiefs -2.5, Ravens +8.5.
To win, both legs must cover. Like a parlay, if one leg loses, the entire teaser loses.
How Do Teaser Payouts Work?
Because teasers give you better lines, the payouts are smaller than traditional parlays.
- 2-team, 6-point NFL teaser → usually pays -110.
- Add more legs → payout increases, but probability decreases.
Sportsbooks adjust payouts based on the number of teams and points teased.
Why Bettors Use Teasers
- Protection Against Key Numbers
- In the NFL, moving lines across 3 and 7 (the most common margins of victory) is extremely valuable.
- Control
- Bettors feel more comfortable with extra cushion.
- Entertainment
- Like parlays, teasers can make multiple games exciting at once.
The Most Popular Sport for Teasers: NFL
NFL games have lower scoring and predictable key numbers (3, 7, 10). That makes teasers especially useful.
Example:
- Line: Eagles -8.5.
- 6-point teaser: Eagles -2.5.
Now, instead of needing a 9+ point win, you just need them to win by a field goal.
The Wong Teaser Strategy
Named after Stanford Wong (a pseudonym for a betting legend), the “Wong Teaser” is the most famous strategy.
- Tease NFL favorites down through -7 and -3.
- Tease NFL underdogs up through +3 and +7.
Why?
- NFL games land on 3 or 7 over 20% of the time.
- Moving across both numbers gives a strong probability edge.
Example:
- Line: Saints -7.5.
- 6-point teaser: Saints -1.5.
Now they just need to win outright.
Teasers in NBA Betting
While teasers exist for NBA totals and spreads, they’re far less effective than NFL teasers because:
- Basketball scoring is higher and more volatile.
- Key numbers don’t exist the way they do in football.
Still, some bettors use NBA teasers for entertainment, combining multiple adjusted totals.
Risks and Downsides of Teasers
- Hidden Juice — Sportsbooks build in extra hold on teaser pricing.
- False Security — Extra points don’t always help if you’re betting bad teams or mispriced lines.
- Too Many Legs — Adding more legs increases risk, even with adjusted numbers.
Smart Teaser Strategies
1. Stick to NFL
Teasers work best when you can cross key numbers. Avoid NBA teasers unless for fun.
2. Look for Low-Total Games
In lower-scoring NFL games, every point is worth more. Teasers in games with totals under 45 are especially valuable.
3. Don’t Force It
Only play teasers when they align with strong projections. If you wouldn’t bet the straight line, don’t use a teaser to justify it.
4. Shop for Best Payouts
Some books offer -120 for 2-team teasers, others -110. Over the season, that difference matters.
Teasers and The TPC Score™
At The Pick Club, teaser value is integrated into TPC Score™. A game rated TPC 7 might rise to TPC 8 when teased across a key number.
💡 Example Club Assistant™ prompts:
- “Show me NFL teaser legs that cross both 3 and 7 with TPC Score™ ≥ 7.”
- “Compare teaser value at -110 vs. -120 pricing across sportsbooks.”
Common Mistakes Bettors Make With Teasers
- Teasing Through Zero — Waste of points.
- Using Totals Too Often — Less predictable than sides.
- Overvaluing Big Favorites — Teasing a -14 to -8 is far less valuable than teasing -8.5 to -2.5.
- Bankroll Mismanagement — Teasers feel “safer” but carry same parlay-style risks.
Conclusion
Teasers in sports betting can be powerful tools — especially in the NFL when crossing key numbers like 3 and 7. But they’re not magic. Sportsbooks still hold the edge, and careless use of teasers leads to long-term losses.
The smartest way to use teasers is selectively, with strong projections, and with tools like TPC Score™ that highlight true value.
👉 Want daily insights on when teasers actually make sense? Join The Pick Club Today and let The Club Assistant™ do the heavy lifting.
Nick Travers is Senior Editor of The Pick Club, with 10+ years of experience in sports betting analysis and predictive modeling.