Whats A Teaser Bet

 

Teaser Betting Rules
by Trevor Whenham - 12/31/2009

What is a Teaser Bet? Covering the most basic question first, a teaser is a parlay bet using a modified point spread. For example in a “3-team 6-point teasers” using Jets/Colts o43, Patriots -3, and Jags +4 what you end up with is a parlay on Jets/Colts o37, Patriots +3 and Jags +10 as each spread is modified six points. As you read this. A teaser is a type of sports bet that allows you to adjust the point spread on multiple games, but requires you to win every game to cash the bet. The sportsbook isn’t giving you those six points for free, though, adjusting your payout based on how many points you’re buying and how many games you picked.

Teasers aren't the first tool that most serious bettors look at to make a profit. In the right situations, though, they can be both profitable and a lot of fun. One reason why bettors don't always embrace them is the confusion over teaser betting rules. The rules are at least a little bit different at each different sportsbook, and those seemingly small differences can make a big impact on the bottom line if you aren't aware of them. Here's a look at the important teaser betting rules that you need to be aware of.
Before we get to the nitty-gritty, we really should look at a definition of teasers. A teaser, like a parlay, is a bet on multiple games - two or more - and you must be correct in all of the games in order to cash your ticket and make a profit. They are most common in football and basketball - the sports most often bet against the spread. What makes teasers special, though, is that you get to adjust the point spread. A typical football teaser, for example, is six points. That means that you get to take six points off the spread of a favorite, and add six points to the spread of an underdog. For example, a -10 favorite would become -4 in a six-point teaser, while a +10 underdog would be +16. Now for those teaser betting rules:
Number of points - The first thing you need to be aware of is the number of points added to each game. The standard is typically six in football and 4.5 in basketball, but those can vary widely. As any sports bettor knows, even just a half point in a spread can make a big difference. You can find football teasers as low as five points and as high as 20, and basketball anywhere between four and 16. You need to know the number of points you have, and make sure that the adjusted spreads are favorable for you.
Payout - The payout in a teaser is fixed - it doesn't change based on the teams involved. Each sportsbook sets their own payouts, though, and they can vary widely. When you are making a teaser bet you need to shop around to find the best price for the number of teams you are betting. Some books generally have better teaser payouts than others, but they won't necessarily have better payouts for all of the possible teams involved. Over the long run a difference in payout can obviously make a big difference to the bottom line, so looking for the best payout is crucial.
Ties - This is the single biggest rule that you need to be aware of - how the book handles ties. There are four different ways that a book can handle it if one of your games ends exactly on the number. Some books treat a tie as a win. Others reduce the number of teams in the teaser by one - if you bet a four-team teaser and have a tie and three wins then it will pay off like a three-game teaser. Others will treat a teaser with a tie as no action - they'll return your bet - as long as you win your other bets. Finally, some books will treat a tie as a loss. Each of those is a very different situation, and can affect your return significantly. You need to be aware of what the book offers, and make sure that it fits your needs. There isn't necessarily one situation that is better than another, but you need to make sure that the potential return adequately reflects the risk you are taking.
Maximums - There are two potential issues you may need to consider here. First, the maximum amount you can bet on a teaser may to too low for you. Many books minimize their risk in teasers by making the maximum bet much lower than it is for a straight bet. Some books also put a maximum on the amount they will pay out for a teaser. That could mean that a large bet on a teaser with several teams involved which should pay out for more than the maximum will return less than the stated odds. Over the long term that's a real problem.
Different online books have different strengths when it comes to teasers. Here's a couple of sportsbooks that do well on many fronts, though:
5Dimes - 5Dimes offers a wide range of teaser options, with football teasers available from everything from five points to 20, and basketball from 4.5 to 16. They also offer two different options for ties - they can either be counted as winners, or the number of teams in the teaser can be reduced by one. The reduce option pays a little better than the win option. 5Dimes also offers prices that are competitive with most books in most situations, and better in many.
Bookmaker - Though Bookmaker offers fewer options than 5Dimes, and is less generous with ties (they treat them as no action if the rest of the bets are a win), their prices are attractive when you are involving more teams.

Most Recent Sports Betting 101

Teaser bets are a great way to enhance your point spreads wagers, because you choose the points spread action, not the bookmaker. All you need to do is choose two or more markets, pick your spreads, and the bet slip will calculate the new odds!

Table of contents

  • How do they work?

What Is A Teaser Bet Fanduel

How do they work?

Teaser

Teasers are advanced parlay wagers that give you more control over the line. Essentially, you are adding extra points to either team. The odds will change as you change the point spread.

A teaser bet is easy to place, but first, you’ll need to understand how a regular point spread bet works.

At the best betting sites, you can bet the point spread on NFL games or a range of sports. These are like handicap wagers where the underdog is given a points advantage, while the favorite is given a points handicap.

What Is A Super Teaser Bet

A Teaser Bet Example

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+105) are taking on Green Bay Packers (-125) in the NFL Play-Offs.

That means you can get odds of -120 on the Packers when the team starts with a -3 point handicap. Tampa Bay are the underdogs with a +3 point head-start. As such, their odds of +100 to win are slightly lower than the regular moneyline odds (+145).

Additionally, you like the look of the Buffalo Bills (-105) against Kansas City (-115).

You decide to back Tampa Bay and the Buffalo Bills in a parlay bet for total odds of +290.

However, you can now improve your position by including your parlay in a teaser bet.

Typically, an online sportsbook will give you three standard teaser options for football. Here are standard options for two teams:

  • 2-team 6-point teaser
  • 2-team 6.5-point teaser
  • 2-team 7-point teaser

In basketball, where games can be closer, the teaser options are smaller. Typically, basketball teasers may look like this:

  • 2-team 4pt teaser
  • 2-team 4.5pt teaser
  • 2-team 5pt teaser

However, you can normally back more than two teams and wager on Super Teasers where the point spread can be 10 points or higher.

What Is A Teaser Bet In Basketball

In our example, we go for a 2-team six point teaser. The Buccaneers and Buffalo Bills now both have +9 point advantages. The odds have dropped to -120 but you have improved both teams’ chances of winning.

On the flipside, maybe you don’t like the odds on the hot favorite. By using teasers, you can wipe out the favorites’ handicap and give them a huge head-start in points. Your potential payout is lower but the likelihood of winning is greater.

How to place a Teaser Bet

It’s easy to place a teaser bet at your favorite sportsbooks. First, open the sportsbook lobby and then find the sport and market you want to wager on.

Once you find the game you want to bet on, click on the result you want under the ‘spreads’ tab and it will automatically be added to your bet slip.

What Is A Teaser Bet Nfl

As you add more selections, the ‘Teaser’ option will appear in your bet slip. Next, open your bet slip and select the teaser odds you want. These will be available in a drop-down menu.

If you’re happy with the teaser odds, type in your stake and hit the Place Bet button. Your potential winnings will also be displayed.

Remember, if you’re looking for other types of wagers to place, we have a comprehensive list of betting guides for you to read. Get the skinny on parlays, systems, and Over/Under bets all in one place.

Is a Teaser Bet a good bet?

At first glance, a teaser bet seems like a great idea. This reason is that you can increase the spread and improve your chances of winning.

What Is A Reverse Teaser Bet

However, good sports betting strategy is about choosing the right wagers to place. Teasers can be great wagers if you know key numbers on the teams taking part. Look at the form of the teams taking part and assess factors like home advantage and injuries.

At sportsbooks, you can place a wide range of bets, from basketball teasers and college football wagers to props bets on your favorite players. But good bets are subjective.

What Is A Betting Teaser Card

For example, in the NFL and college football, you might want to back the underdog and use the teaser bet to improve the number of points they begin with.

But first, look at their point spread to begin with. If the underdog has a spread of +6 and the teaser is +6.5, their new spread is +12.5. That’s enough of a cushion to withstand two touchdowns and still win you the bet.

Sometimes, a better option is to open up the Spread Alternative market under your chosen games. Here you’ll find a massive range of alternative spreads to wager on. For instance, for the Buffalo Bills v Kansas City game, you may find spreads for +3.5/-3.5 to +8/-8. You can, of course, combine several picks in one parlay.

What Is A Teaser Bet Nba

You can bet to win on teaser bets at all good betting sites. Simply choose your favorite sports bet, find spreads and totals, or enjoy teaser cards on NFL, NBA, and a lot more.

Best Sportsbooks For Teaser Bets

The top online sportsbooks offer hundreds of markets and bonuses to use on games of your choice. Choose sports betting sites like PointsBet and Unibet in regulated states. You can even enter a special promo code when you sign up to claim an exclusive welcome bonus.