What Is A Teaser? Sports Betting Terms Explained

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Teasers, a popular betting strategy in football and basketball, empower bettors by adjusting point spreads to their advantage across multiple games. In this article, we’ll delve into the world of teasers, exploring their mechanics and how they can be a valuable tool for sports enthusiasts.

What is a Teaser Bet?

A teaser bet adjusts point spreads in favor of the bettor for one or more games. This adjustment provides a cushion of extra points, increasing the likelihood of a winning outcome.

How Teasers Work

To comprehend the mechanics of teasers, let’s explore an example within the context of NFL football:

Suppose you want to bet on two NFL games: Game A features the New England Patriots as favorites with a point spread of -7, and Game B showcases the Dallas Cowboys as underdogs with a point spread of +3.

By placing a teaser bet, you can adjust the point spreads in your favor. For instance, if you select a 6-point teaser, the new spreads become:

  • Game A: Patriots -1 (-7 adjusted by 6 points)
  • Game B: Cowboys +9 (+3 adjusted by 6 points)

The objective is for both teams to cover their adjusted spreads for the teaser bet to win.

Below you can see a couple more examples of this used in the NFL on both DraftKings Sportsbook and the FanDuel app.

DraftKings teasers with the NFL FanDuel teasers with the NFL

Teaser Variations

Teasers come in various point increments, allowing bettors to tailor their wagers to their preferences. In football, popular teaser point increments are 6, 6.5, 7, 10, or 14 points, depending on the sportsbook. In basketball, sportsbooks more commonly offer teasers of 4, 4.5, and 5 points.

Advantages of Teasers

Teasers offer several advantages for sports bettors:

  1. Point Spread Adjustment: Teasers allow bettors to move point spreads in their favor, increasing the likelihood of a winning bet.
  2. Risk Management: By reducing the risk associated with traditional point spread bets, teasers provide a buffer against unexpected outcomes.
  3. Flexibility: Bettors can combine multiple games into a single teaser, creating opportunities for larger payouts.
  4. Versatility: You can apply teasers to both football and basketball, making them a versatile betting strategy.

In conclusion, teasers are a valuable tool in the sports betting arsenal, offering bettors the ability to adjust point spreads and increase their chances of winning. Whether you’re an experienced bettor or new to sports wagering, understanding the mechanics of teasers can add depth to your betting strategy. Keep in mind that while teasers can enhance your betting experience, it’s crucial to assess the risk and potential rewards before placing your wagers.

To learn more about how to place a teaser yourself, check out our detailed video on how to place a teaser using FanDuel!

Looking for more information about the best sportsbooks offers? Go to our list of the top sportsbook promotions in your state.

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Eamonn KeenanEamonn Keenan
Eamonn Keenan, with a Digital Arts Degree from the University of Tampa, brings over a decade of sports betting experience to his role as Creative Director at BettingHero.com. Starting with Betting Hero in the Fall of 2020, Eamonn has been deeply involved in the industry, assisting customers with major sportsbook and casino operators like BetMGM, Caesars, DraftKings, and others. A self-proclaimed sports fanatic, he has a keen interest in professional hockey, MMA, NFL, NCAAB, NCAAF, and MLB. Eamonn enjoys researching teams and players to predict game outcomes, highlighting his passion for sports betting.