Teaser
A parlay that lets you shift the point spread or total in your favor, in exchange for a smaller payout.
A teaser is a special kind of parlay that lets you move the point spread or total (over/under) a set number of points in your favor on every leg. The catch is that this friendlier line comes with a smaller payout than a standard parlay at the original odds. You’ll see teasers most often in NFL and NBA betting, where point-based scoring makes those line tweaks really matter.
Just like a regular parlay, a teaser needs all of its legs to win before it pays anything. What sets it apart is the built-in cushion of adjusted lines. Most sportsbooks offer standard teasers of 6, 6.5, or 7 points in football, and 4, 4.5, or 5 points in basketball. The more points you add, the smaller the payout, since every extra point makes each leg easier to hit.
Example
Say you place a two-team, 6-point NFL teaser with a $50 stake:
- Original line: Philadelphia Eagles -7.5 becomes Eagles -1.5 after the 6-point teaser adjustment.
- Original line: Under 48.5 in the Rams vs. 49ers game becomes Under 54.5 after the adjustment.
A standard two-team, 6-point teaser usually pays around -110 odds. If both adjusted legs win, your $50 bet returns roughly $95.45 ($45.45 profit). As a standard parlay at their original odds those same two picks could pay a lot more, but the teaser gives you a much better shot at winning by nudging each line 6 points your way.
Key Points
- Points move in the bettor’s favor: The whole point of a teaser is shifting spreads and totals to make each leg easier to land.
- Reduced payouts compared to standard parlays: Better lines come at a price – a lower payout. The more points you tease, the less you get back.
- All legs must win: Same as any parlay, every pick has to hit. One losing leg sinks the whole teaser.
- Most effective with key numbers in football: Experienced bettors often tease through key NFL numbers (like 3 and 7), since lots of games land on these margins, which makes the adjustment especially handy.
- Push rules vary by sportsbook: Some books treat a push on one leg as a loss for the whole teaser, while others drop that leg and recalculate the payout. Always check the house rules before you bet.