What is a teaser bet?
A teaser bet is a type of parlay in sports betting where you adjust the point spread or total for each game in your favor, in exchange for lower odds. You’re ‘buying points’ to make each leg easier to win — but the overall payout is reduced accordingly.
How a teaser works
In American football, a common teaser moves each spread by 6 points. If Team A is a 10-point favorite, a 6-point teaser makes them 4-point favorites — easier to cover. If Team B is a 3-point underdog, the teaser makes them a 3-point favorite. You build a 2-leg (or more) teaser, and all legs must win. The payout is lower than an equivalent parlay at the original spreads.
Are teasers good value?
Teasers crossing key numbers (like 3 and 7 in American football, which are common winning margins) are considered the most valuable because the probability boost from crossing those numbers can outweigh the reduced payout. Teasers away from key numbers are typically poor value. Like all parlays, every leg must win — one incorrect pick eliminates the entire bet.