Key Points
- A teaser lets you move the point spread 6, 6.5, or 7 points in your favor on 2+ games.
- In exchange for the favorable spread, you receive lower payout odds.
- NFL teasers through key numbers (3 and 7) can be mathematically defensible.
- Basketball teasers are generally unfavorable due to lack of key number structure.
- "Wong Teasers" (6-point teasers crossing 3 and 7) are a legitimate strategy.
What is a Teaser?
A teaser is a type of parlay where you move the point spread (or total) in your favor by a set number of points, typically 6, 6.5, or 7 points in the NFL, and 4, 4.5, or 5 points in the NBA. All legs must still win for the teaser to pay out.
Example (NFL 6-point teaser):
- Chiefs -7 becomes Chiefs -1
- Eagles -3 becomes Eagles +3
You're moving each spread 6 points in your favor. In exchange, instead of a standard parlay payout (+260 for two teams), a 6-point teaser on two NFL games pays around -120 at most US books.
How Teasers Are Priced
Standard NFL teaser payouts vary by book:
| Teams | 6-point Teaser | 6.5-point | 7-point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | -120 | -130 | -140 |
| 3 | +180 | +140 | +100 |
| 4 | +300 | +240 | +180 |
The more points you move and the more teams you add, the lower the payout.
The Math Behind Teasers
The key question: is moving the spread 6 points in your favor worth accepting a lower payout?
In the NFL, the answer depends entirely on which numbers you're crossing.
Moving through 3 and 7 (the most common winning margins) substantially increases your win probability. A team at -8.5 becomes -2.5 after a 6-point tease, crossing both 7 and 3.
Wong Teasers
Sports betting researcher Stanford Wong popularized what are now called "Wong Teasers": 6-point NFL teasers on teams where the spread crosses through both 3 and 7:
Ideal teaser candidates:
- Favorites between -7.5 and -8.5 → teased down to -1.5 to -2.5 (crosses 7 and 3)
- Underdogs between +1.5 and +2.5 → teased up to +7.5 to +8.5 (crosses 3 and 7)
Research suggests these specific crosses have win rates high enough to generate positive expected value on standard teaser payouts.
NBA Teasers: Proceed With Caution
Unlike the NFL, the NBA lacks dominant key numbers. Games end at high scores with many possible margins, making teaser math much less favorable. Most betting analysts advise against NBA teasers as a standard strategy.
Teasers vs. Parlays
| Parlay | Teaser | |
|---|---|---|
| Spread movement | None | +6 points per leg |
| Payout | Higher | Lower |
| Win probability | Lower | Higher |
| Best use | Entertainment | Crossing key numbers |
When Teasers Make Sense
- NFL, crossing through 3 and 7: The only mathematically defensible teaser scenario
- Reducing liability on a strong play: Taking a -10 team down to -4 for insurance
- Not for NBA, baseball, or hockey: Key number structure doesn't support teaser math