Teasers and Sweethearts

A teaser is a combination of two or more football/basketball spreads/totals where you choose a better line on each pick in exchange for a lower payout. Generally you can tease football lines 6, 6.5, or 7 points and basketball lines 4, 4.5, or 5 points.

Example: Eagles -8 and Chargers +2. A 2-team, 7-point teaser would give Eagles -1 and the Chargers +9. However, the payout would be 10/13 (versus 13/5 on a typical parlay).

Why are teaser payouts so much lower? Because it is the only bet type where balanced action can still result in losses for the book.

Example: Minnesota -6 vs. Jacksonville, total 46. Using 7-point teasers, there are four plays that can be made employing this game alone:

Jacksonville +13 and Over 39
Jacksonville +13 and Under 53
Minnesota +1 and Over 39
Minnesota +1 and Under 53

If the final score is Minnesota 27-16, every one of the teasers is a winner.

Of course, it is also possible for the house to do extremely well by offering teasers.

Example: Green Bay -7 vs. St. Louis, total 51. Using 7-point teasers, there are four plays that can be made employing this game alone:

St. Louis +14 and Over 44
St. Louis +14 and Under 58
Green Bay Pick and Over 44
Green Bay Pick and Under 58

If the final score is Green Bay 45-17, the only win for bettors is Green Bay/Over. Any game where both the spread and total fall outside teaser range is good for the books.

The third possibility is where either the spread or total "pays both ways" but the other line does not.

Example: Pittsburgh -10.5 vs. Washington, total 35. Using 7-point teasers, there are four plays that can be made employing this game alone:

Washington +17.5 and Over 28
Washington +17.5 and Under 42
Pittsburgh -3.5 and Over 28
Pittsburgh -3.5 and Under 42

If the final score is Pittsburgh 16-7, both plays with the under are winners. In this case, if the action is balanced, the house makes a profit.

You may also be interested in another type of teaser called a sweetheart teaser. Sweetheart teasers give you even more points in your teaser (say 10 or 13), but you must pick more teams, the payouts are further reduced, and pushes make your bet a loser.

Can we tease you with another edition of Bodog's "Guide to Sports Betting"? Keep your eyes out for the next edition.