In sports betting, a Teaser allows you to “buy points” to shift the spread or total in your favor. But simply moving the line isn’t enough; you need to move it through the right numbers.
The difference between a winning and losing teaser strategy often comes down to “Key Numbers” (margins of victory like 3 and 7 in the NFL). Our Teaser Line Adjuster visualizes exactly where your new line lands for various point options (6, 6.5, 7, 10), helping you identify the most mathematically advantageous spots on the board.
| Teaser Pts | Movement | New Line |
|---|
This tool eliminates the mental math errors that occur when adding or subtracting points from negative spreads. Here is how to configure it:
- Select Bet Type:
- Spread / Under: Choose this if you are betting a Point Spread (e.g., -7.5) or a Total UNDER. In this mode, the calculator adds points to your line (moving -7.5 to -1.5).
- Total (Over): Choose this if you are betting a Total OVER. In this mode, the calculator subtracts points (making the target score lower and easier to hit).
- Enter Original Line: Input the current line from the sportsbook. Use a minus sign for favorites (e.g., -8.5).
- Select Teaser Points: Choose the standard adjustment for your sport (e.g., 6.0 for Football, 4.0 for Basketball).
- Analyze the Table: The comparison table shows you the adjusted line for every common teaser format. Look for the green highlights indicating you have crossed a Key Number.
Related Tools: Teasers are essentially parlays with modified odds. To calculate the payout of a standard multi-leg bet, use our Parlay Calculator. If you are trying to guarantee a profit on the final leg of a teaser, use the Hedge Calculator.
The most famous teaser strategy was developed by author Stanford Wong. It involves teasing a favorite down or an underdog up, specifically crossing through the numbers 3 and 7.
Example 1: Teasing the Favorite (Basic Strategy)
The Green Bay Packers are -8.5 favorites.
- The Move: You take a 6-point teaser.
- Adjusted Line: -2.5.
- Why it works: You have crossed through 7 (a touchdown) and 3 (a field goal). Now, the Packers only need to win by a field goal for you to win the bet, rather than needing to win by two scores.
Example 2: Teasing the Total (The Danger Zone)
The Total for a game is set at 48.0. You want to bet the Over.
- The Move: You take a 6-point teaser on the Over.
- Adjusted Line: 42.0.
- Analysis: While 42 is easier to hit than 48, math suggests teasing totals is rarely profitable compared to spreads. The variance in scoring is too high compared to the fixed value of points bought.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
It depends on the sportsbook. In a standard 2-team teaser, if one leg pushes and the other wins, the bet is usually treated as “No Action” (money refunded). However, some books classify a tie as a Loss in teasers. Always check the house rules.
What are the “Key Numbers” in NFL betting?
The most frequent margins of victory in the NFL are 3 points (approx. 15% of games) and 7 points (approx. 9% of games). A “Basic Strategy Teaser” is designed to capture these specific numbers.
Can I tease across 0 (Zero)?
Yes, but it is mathematically inefficient. For example, teasing a line from -3 to +3 burns value because games rarely end in a tie (margin of 0). You are essentially paying for a number that rarely helps you.
What is a “Sweetheart” or “Pleaser”?
A Sweetheart Teaser (often called a Monster Teaser) gives you 10 or 13 points, but usually requires 3 or 4 teams and pays significantly lower odds (often -120 or -130). A Pleaser is the opposite: you give away points to get much higher odds.