Understanding and Betting Teasers

Teasers are a form of bet similar to parlays. They are quite popular in basketball and football betting. Each team selected must win for the bettor to win the wager. If even one of the teams loses, then the entire bet is lost.

The main difference between parlays and teasers is that in a teaser the bettor may move the spread in any direction they like on a game. 

In a teaser bet on a football game, the better may move the bet 6, 6.5, 7, and with some sportsbooks 10 points in any direction. The payoff is lowered with each extra half-point that the bettor takes, however. In basketball teaser bets, the point spread can be moved 4, 4.5, or 5 points.

Teaser bets require that at least two teams be included in the bet. Each bet can include up to 6 teams, although some sportsbooks have increased the limit to 10. In most cases, a tie counts as a loss in a teaser. Some sportsbooks will remove a tie from the teaser, and reduce the number of teams.   It is best to check the rules at your chosen sportsbook before placing a bet.

Usually the odds improve as you increase the number of teams in the bet. For example a two team, four point basketball teaser would offer 10-to-11 odds, while if you increase the number of teams to five you would get 9-to-2 odds. The odds decrease as you increase the spread.

There is a lot of debate about the value of teasers – some believe that they are not worthwhile, as one loss means that the whole bet is lost. Others believe that they are useful, as many games tend to fall close to the spread, and those few extra points can increase the chances of winning.