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Teaser Calculator Guide

Adjust spreads in your favor. But only if you cross the right numbers — otherwise you're just paying more for nothing.

What Is a Teaser?

A teaser is a parlay where you move the spread in your favor. You give up some payout, but each leg has a higher chance of winning. The catch: all legs still need to hit.

The most common teaser is a 6-point NFL teaser. You get 6 points added to each spread. If a team is -7.5, they become -1.5. If a team is +2.5, they become +8.5.

NFL Teaser Strategy: The Wong Method

The "Wong Teaser" — named after Stanford Wong — is the gold standard for NFL teasers. It focuses on crossing the most common NFL margins of victory: 3 and 7.

Here's the strategy:

• Favorites of -7.5 to -8.5: Tease to -1.5 to -2.5. You cross both 7 and 3.
• Underdogs of +1.5 to +2.5: Tease to +7.5 to +8.5. You cross both 3 and 7.

These are the only two situations where 6-point NFL teasers have historically shown positive expected value. Everything else is a trap.

Why Key Numbers Matter

In the NFL, the most common margins of victory are:

Margin	Frequency
3	~15.5%
7	~9%
6	~6%
10	~6%
14	~5%

3 and 7 are king. A 6-point teaser that crosses both 3 and 7 captures the two most likely outcomes. That's where the value lives.

NBA Teasers

NBA teasers are less popular because basketball is a high-scoring game. The margins are different, and the key numbers don't carry the same weight.

That said, NBA teasers can work in specific spots:

• Focus on large spreads (8+ points)
• Cross key numbers like 5, 6, and 7
• Consider pace and scoring trends
• Home/away splits matter more than in the NFL

But honestly? NFL teasers are sharper. If you're going to tease, tease football.

Teaser Odds and Payouts

Legs	6-Point Odds
2	-110
3	+160
4	+250
5	+400

Notice something? The 2-team teaser pays -110 on each side. That's the same juice as a straight bet. The value isn't in the payout — it's in the adjusted spread.

When to Use Teasers

• NFL spreads near key numbers. -7.5 to -8.5 favorites or +1.5 to +2.5 underdogs.
• When you're confident in multiple picks. A teaser is still a parlay — you need all legs to win.
• Better value than standard parlays. Teasers give you better odds per leg than a regular parlay.

When to Avoid Teasers

• Teasing through 0. A -1 favorite teased to +5 is a different bet than a +2.5 dog teased to +8.5. The dynamics change.
• NBA without a clear edge. Most NBA teasers don't cross meaningful numbers.
• 3+ legs. The more legs, the worse the value. Stick to 2-team NFL teasers.

Pro Tips

1. Stick to 6-point NFL teasers. They're the only teasers with proven value.
2. Cross 3 and 7, always. If your teaser doesn't cross these numbers, it's probably not worth it.
3. Track your teaser ROI separately. Don't mix teaser results with straight bets.
4. Don't tease large favorites through 0. A -10 favorite teased to -4 is still laying points. The math doesn't work.
5. Shop for the best teaser odds. Some books offer better teaser pricing than others.

Try Our Teaser Calculator →

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a teaser and a parlay?

A teaser lets you adjust the spread in your favor. A parlay uses the spread as-is. Teasers have lower payouts but higher win probability per leg.

Can I tease totals (over/under)?

Yes, most sportsbooks allow you to tease totals. But the key number strategy doesn't apply the same way. Teasing spreads is generally sharper.

Are teasers worth it?

Only in specific situations — NFL 6-point teasers crossing 3 and 7. Everything else is usually negative expected value. Be selective.

For informational purposes only. Not legal gambling advice. Must be 21+ in your jurisdiction. Gamble responsibly.