What is a Teaser Bet? How To, Types, Examples

What is a Teaser Bet?

A teaser bet is a sports bet that lets the bettor modify the point spread or total for a game in their favor, but with lower potential winnings.

A teaser bet allows the bettor to choose multiple teams and adjust the point spread or total in their favor by a specific number of points, increasing their chances of winning. However, the payout is lower because of the higher likelihood of winning.

Teaser bets are a favorite choice for sports bettors looking to improve their odds of winning while being comfortable with lower payouts.

How Does a Teaser Bet Work?

Original Spread

In order to improve your chances of winning a bet, you may need to adjust the point spread or total by a specific number of points. The ability to adjust the spread varies based on the sportsbook and the type of bet being placed.

One way to adjust the odds in a football game is by teasing the original point spread of -7 by adding 6 points to make it -1. In basketball, you can tease the original total of 220 by subtracting 4 points to make it 216.

Remember that increasing or decreasing the number of points in a bet will decrease the odds. Teaser bets are typically used to adjust the original spread in favor of the bettor, but this adjustment results in a lower payout.

Potential Payouts

The payout for a teaser bet can vary based on factors such as the number of teams, the point spread or total, and the particular sportsbook providing the bet.

In general, teaser bets with more teams and larger point spreads or totals will have lower potential payouts. For instance, a two-team teaser with a six-point adjustment may have a payout of -110, requiring a $110 risk to win $100. On the other hand, a four-team teaser with a 10-point adjustment could have a payout of +200, resulting in a $200 win on a $100 bet.

Margins of Victory

Bettors typically aim to work with standard margins of victory when placing teaser bets, such as:

1. Football: In football, the most common margins of victory are 3, 4, 6, 7, and 10 points. Bettors often try to adjust the point spread by 6 or 7 points to get a better chance of winning.
2. Basketball: In basketball, the most common margins of victory are 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, and 14 points. Bettors often try to adjust the point spread by 4, 5, or 6 points to get a better chance of winning.
3. Baseball: In baseball, the most common margins of victory are 1 and 2 runs. Bettors often try to adjust the run line by 1 run to get a better chance of winning.
4. Hockey: In hockey, the most common margins of victory are 1 and 2 goals. Bettors often try to adjust the puck line by half a goal to get a better chance of winning.

Types of Teaser Bets

Two-Team Teasers

To recap, a two-team teaser is when you choose two teams and then adjust the point spread or total in your favor by a set number of points, typically 6. This adjustment can improve your chances of winning the bet.

To illustrate, suppose the New York Giants are facing off against the Dallas Cowboys with a point spread of -3.5 in favor of the Giants. If you opt for a two-team teaser bet and shift the point spread by 6 points to your advantage, the revised point spread would be +2.5 in favor of the Giants. This allows the Giants to lose by up to 2 points and still result in a winning bet for you.

In order to win a two-team teaser bet, both teams need to either cover the adjusted point spread or have the total score of the game fall within the adjusted total. The payout for a two-team teaser bet will vary depending on the specific sportsbook that is offering the bet.

Six-Point Teasers

A six-point teaser is a sports bet where the point spread or total is adjusted by six points in favor of the bettor for each selection. While this can improve the bettor’s likelihood of winning, it also reduces the potential payout.

For instance, if the initial point spread in a football game favors Team A by -7 with a total of 42, a six-point teaser could modify the point spread to -1 for Team A and the total to 36. This requires Team A to win by at least one point and for the total game score to be 36 or lower for the teaser bet to be successful.

A six-point teaser is a versatile betting option that can be used in various sports such as football, basketball, and hockey. Bettors can choose two or more teams or totals, with each selection being adjusted by six points in their favor.

Reverse Teasers

A reverse teaser is a sports bet that works in the opposite way of a regular teaser. Instead of allowing the bettor to adjust the point spread or total in their favor, a reverse teaser adjusts the point spread or total against the bettor’s favor.

In a typical teaser, a bettor can lower a 7-point spread to 1 point in their favor. However, in a reverse teaser, that same 7-point spread can be increased to 13 points against the bettor’s favor. This requires the team to win by more than 13 points in order to cover the spread and secure a win for the bet.

7-Point Teasers

A seven-point teaser is a sports bet similar to a six-point teaser, but it gives the bettor the option to adjust the point spread or total by an extra point.

A seven-point teaser allows the bettor to shift the point spread or total by seven points in their favor for each selection in the teaser, improving their odds of winning while reducing the potential payout when compared to a six-point teaser.

For instance, if the initial point spread for a football game is -7 in favor of Team A, a bettor using a six-point teaser could change the spread to -1 for Team A. With a seven-point teaser, the bettor could adjust the spread to a pick’em, indicating there is no spread and the team only needs to win the game outright.

In comparison, with a seven-point teaser, the bettor has the option to change a total from 42 to 49, but with a six-point teaser, the total can only be adjusted to 48.

In general, a seven-point teaser provides bettors with an extra point of adjustment compared to a six-point teaser, potentially improving their chances of winning. However, this increased advantage also results in a slightly lower potential payout.

Super Teasers

In sports betting, a “Super Teaser” is a type of parlay bet that requires bettors to accurately predict the results of a minimum of three games or events. Contrary to a standard teaser, a Super Teaser provides greater point spreads or more significant adjustments to the point spread.

In a football game, a basic teaser could let a bettor change the point spread by six points, while a super teaser might allow for up to a 14-point adjustment or more. While this increases the difficulty of winning, it also comes with the potential for larger payouts.

How to Place a Teaser Bet

– Step 1: Choose the game or games you want to bet on- Step 2: Select the teams and point spreads for your teaser bet- Step 3: Determine the amount you want to wager- Step 4: Place the bet with your sportsbook or online betting platform

• Choose a reputable sportsbook: Choose a reputable sportsbook that offers teaser bets. This could be an online sportsbook or a brick-and-mortar sportsbook.
• Select the sport and game: Choose the sport and game you want to bet on. Make sure you understand the rules of the game and the point spread or total.
• Select your teams or totals: Choose the two or more teams or totals you want to include in your teaser. Make sure you understand the point spread or total for each selection.
• Decide on the number of points to adjust: Decide on the number of points you want to adjust the point spread or total in your favor for each selection. This could be 6 points or 7 points, depending on the type of teaser you want to place.
• Determine the wager amount: Decide on the amount of money you want to wager on your teaser bet.
• Place your bet: Place your teaser bet by inputting your selections, the number of points you want to adjust, and the amount you want to wager. Confirm your bet and wait for the game to finish to see if you’ve won or lost.
• Monitor your bet: Monitor your bet to see if you’ve won or lost. You can usually track your bet in real-time on the sportsbook’s website or mobile app.
• Collect your winnings: If you win your teaser bet, collect your winnings according to the sportsbook’s payout rules. If you lose, your wagered amount will be deducted from your account.

Are Teasers a Good Bet? Risks and Benefits

Teaser bets, similar to other forms of sports betting, have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the key risks and rewards associated with teaser bets:

Risks

• Lower payouts: One of the biggest risks of teaser bets is that the payouts are lower compared to other types of bets, such as straight bets or parlays. This is because teaser bets offer a higher chance of winning due to the adjusted point spread or total.
• More difficult to win: Even though teaser bets offer a higher chance of winning, they are still difficult to win because the bettor needs to correctly predict the outcome of multiple games with an adjusted point spread or total.
• Temptation to add too many selections: Bettors may be tempted to add too many selections to their teaser bet, which can increase the difficulty of winning the bet.

Benefits

• Higher chances of winning: The main benefit of teaser bets is that they offer higher chances of winning because the point spread or total is adjusted in the bettor’s favor.
• Lower risk: Teaser bets can be less risky than other types of bets because the point spread or total is adjusted in the bettor’s favor.
• Flexibility: Teaser bets offer flexibility because the bettor can adjust the point spread or total in their favor. This means that the bettor can tailor the bet to their preferences and betting style.

Teaser Betting Strategies

Basketball Games & 4-Point Teaser Option

Below are a few strategies for placing four-point teaser bets in basketball, which is the standard number of points to tease.

1. Betting on underdogs: One strategy is to use four-point teasers to adjust the point spread in favor of underdogs. This can increase the chances of winning the bet while reducing the risk. For example, if a team is a five-point underdog, using a four-point teaser can adjust the spread to nine points, making it easier for the underdog to cover the spread.
2. Adjusting totals: Another strategy is to use six-point teasers to adjust the total in a game. This can be particularly useful in games where you expect a high-scoring affair or a low-scoring game. For example, if the total for a game is set at 200, using a four-point teaser to adjust the total to 204 can make it easier for the over to hit or the under to hit.
3. Combination bets: A third strategy is to combine multiple four-point teasers to create combination bets. This involves selecting multiple games and adjusting the point spread or total in your favor for each game. This can increase the payout of the bet, but it also increases the risk. It’s important to be selective with your picks and not add too many selections to your combination bet.
4. Monitoring line movements: It’s important to monitor line movements in basketball games to determine whether it’s advantageous to use a four-point teaser or not. For example, if the line moves in favor of the team you want to bet on, it may not be necessary to use a teaser. On the other hand, if the line moves against the team you want to bet on, using a four-point teaser can be a good way to adjust the spread in your favor.

Football Games & Field Goal Margin of Victory for a 6-Point Teaser Bet

Here are some strategies for using a six-point teaser bet in football when betting on the margin of victory, specifically with respect to field goals:

1. Adjusting the point spread: One strategy is to use a six-point teaser to adjust the point spread to push the margin of victory beyond a field goal. This can be especially useful when betting on a favorite that is expected to win by less than a touchdown. For example, if a team is favored by 3.5 points, using a six-point teaser to adjust the spread to -3 points can make it easier for the favorite to cover the spread and win by more than a field goal.
2. Betting on underdogs: This can be especially useful in games where the underdog is expected to lose by a field goal or less. For example, if an underdog is a 3-point underdog, using a six-point teaser to adjust the spread to +9 points can make it easier for the underdog to cover the spread or even win outright.
3. Adjusting totals: A third strategy is to use a six-point teaser to adjust the total for a game involving teams that are known for their field goal kicking abilities. This can be especially useful in games where the weather conditions are not favorable for scoring touchdowns. For example, if the total for a game is set at 42 points, using a six-point teaser to adjust the total to 48 points can make it easier for the over to hit or the under to hit.