Understanding Teasers in Sports Betting: Strategies and Best Practices

Teasers are one of the most misunderstood but potentially profitable bet types in sports betting. They allow bettors to adjust point spreads or totals in their favor, offering greater control over their wagers. However, while teasers provide flexibility, they also come with trade-offs, particularly lower payouts and increased risk from combining multiple bets.

In this guide, we’ll break down what teasers are, how they work when to use them, and the best strategies to maximize your chances of success.

What is a Teaser Bet?

A teaser bet is a type of parlay where the bettor adjusts the point spread or total in their favor by a set number of points. However, like a standard parlay, all legs must win for the bet to be successful.

Teasers are most common in football (NFL and college football) and basketball (NBA and college basketball) since these sports feature point spreads and totals that can be adjusted.

Example of a 6-Point Teaser (NFL)

Let’s say you want to bet on two NFL games:

• Kansas City Chiefs (-7) vs. Denver Broncos
• Dallas Cowboys (-5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles

If you place a 6-point teaser, both spreads move in your favor:

• Kansas City Chiefs (-1) instead of -7
• Dallas Cowboys (+1) instead of -5

This means the Chiefs only need to win by 2+ points, and the Cowboys can win or lose by just 1 point for your bet to win.

Since you’re gaining a significant advantage on the spreads, the payout is lower than a traditional parlay, but teasers offer a strategic edge when used correctly.

Types of Teasers

Teasers come in different forms, each offering unique advantages and trade-offs. While standard teasers are the most common, variations like Wong teasers, totals teasers, and sweetheart teasers cater to different betting styles and risk preferences. Understanding the differences between these teaser types can help you choose the best option for your betting strategy.

Standard Teasers

The most common teasers adjust point spreads by 6, 6.5, or 7 points in football and 4, 4.5, or 5 points in basketball.

The more points you add, the lower your payout.

Wong Teasers (NFL)

Named after gambling expert Stanford Wong, these teasers focus on crossing key numbers like 3 and 7 in the NFL.

Example: If a team is favored by -7.5, a 6-point teaser moves the spread to -1.5, meaning they only need to win by 2+ points.

Wong teasers have historically been one of the most profitable strategies for NFL betting.

Totals Teasers

Instead of adjusting spreads, these move Over/Under totals.

Example: A game total of 48 points with a 6-point teaser becomes 42 (Over) or 54 (Under).

Most bettors avoid totals teasers because spreads are more predictable than totals.

Sweetheart Teasers

A bigger teaser (10-14 points) but requires at least 3 or 4 teams in the parlay.

Example: A 10-point teaser on three teams turns:

• Packers -10 → Pick ‘Em (0)
• Chiefs -7 → Chiefs +3
• Ravens -6 → Ravens +4

The trade-off? Extremely low payouts and all legs must win.

Best Strategies for Betting Teasers

Not all teaser bets are created equal. While adjusting the spread in your favor may seem like a guaranteed advantage, certain strategies maximize value while others provide little to no edge. Understanding when and how to use teasers effectively can turn them from a casual betting option into a serious tool for improving long-term profits. Below are the best strategies to help you make the most out of teaser bets.

Focus on Key Numbers in Football

In NFL and college football, most games are decided by common margins like 3, 7, 10, and 14 points. A good teaser crosses these key numbers, making it easier to cover the adjusted spread.

Good teaser example:

• Move a -7.5 favorite down to -1.5 (crossing 7 and 3).
• Move a +2.5 underdog up to +8.5 (crossing 3 and 7).

Bad teaser example:

• Moving a -12 favorite to -6 doesn’t cross any key numbers and has less value.

Avoid Teasing Totals

Teasing totals (Over/Under) is generally less profitable because point movements don’t follow the same key number patterns as spreads.

It’s harder to predict game pace and scoring fluctuations than team performance.

Stick to 6-Point NFL Teasers (Wong Teasers)

Studies show that 6-point teasers crossing key numbers (3 and 7) have the best return.

Avoid 7-point teasers unless absolutely necessary to reduce payout without much-added value.

Limit the Number of Teams in a Teaser

The more teams you add, the harder it is to win (just like parlays).

2- or 3-team teasers offer the best balance of value and risk.

4+ team teasers are mostly for casual bettors, as they increase risk significantly.

Compare Teaser Payouts Across Sportsbooks

Different sportsbooks offer different payouts for teasers. A 6-point teaser at one book may pay -120, while another offers -110 for the same bet. Always shop for the best odds before placing a teaser.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

While teasers can be a powerful betting tool, they are often misused by casual bettors. Many make the mistake of teasing the wrong numbers, selecting too many teams, or ignoring key strategy principles. To maximize your chances of success, it’s essential to recognize the most common pitfalls and learn how to avoid them. Let’s break down the biggest mistakes bettors make when using teasers.

Teasing Across Different Sports

Stick to teasing within the same sport (e.g., NFL only or NBA only).

NFL and NBA spread move differently, combining them weakens teaser value.

Using Teasers for Big Favorites

If a team is favored by -13.5, teasing them down to -7.5 doesn’t cross key numbers (7 and 3). It’s not a smart move.

Instead, look for -7.5 to -1.5 or +2.5 to +8.5 adjustments.

Overusing 10-Point ‘Sweetheart’ Teasers

The payout is too low for the risk (all teams must win).

Example: A standard 3-team parlay pays +600, but a 10-point teaser on three teams may only pay – 110- not worth it.

Final Thoughts

Teasers offer a strategic way to adjust spreads and increase your chances of winning, but they require careful selection of games and point adjustments. When used correctly, particularly with Wong teasers in NFL betting, they can be a valuable tool in your betting arsenal.

To maximize success, stick to 6-point NFL teasers, cross key numbers (3 & 7), limit the number of teams, and avoid total teasers. By following these best practices, you can gain an edge over casual bettors who use teasers recklessly.

Now that you understand how teasers work, are you ready to add them to your betting strategy?