Sports Teaser Calculator: Move the Lines in Your Favor

Teasers let you adjust point spreads across multiple games—but at reduced odds. Our calculator determines when buying those points is worth the price, revealing which teaser combinations offer genuine value.

What Is a Teaser Bet?

A teaser is a parlay where you "buy" extra points on each spread, moving lines in your favor. A 6-point NFL teaser moves a -7 to -1 or a +3 to +9. The catch: all legs must win, and payouts are reduced compared to standard parlays.

Quick Answer: Standard 6-point, 2-team NFL teaser pays -110 (bet $110 to win $100). Key strategy: Cross key numbers (3, 7) with favorites of -7.5 to -8.5 and underdogs of +1.5 to +2.5. These "Wong teasers" have historically been profitable. Random teasers = negative EV. Strategic teasers crossing 3 and 7 = potential edge.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Sports Teaser Calculator →

Enter spreads and teaser points to evaluate bet value.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Original Spreads: Each game's line

2. Select Teaser Points: 6, 6.5, 7, etc.

3. View Adjusted Lines: New spreads after teaser

4. Calculate Win Probability: Estimated chance

5. Determine Value: +EV or -EV teaser

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Game 1 Spread	Original line	-7.5
Game 2 Spread	Original line	+2.5
Teaser Points	Points bought	6
Adjusted Spread 1	After teaser	-1.5
Adjusted Spread 2	After teaser	+8.5
Combined Probability	Both win	72%
Teaser Odds	Payout	-110
Expected Value	Profit/loss %	+3.2%

Teaser Basics

How Teasers Work

Standard parlay: Fixed spreads, multiplied odds
Teaser: Adjusted spreads, reduced odds

Example:
Game 1: Team A -7.5
Game 2: Team B +2.5

6-point teaser:
Game 1: Team A -1.5 (moved 6 points)
Game 2: Team B +8.5 (moved 6 points)

Both must win (ties usually lose)
Payout: -110 (standard 2-team)

Teaser Point Options

Points	2-Team Odds	3-Team Odds
6	-110	+160
6.5	-120	+140
7	-130	+120
7.5	-140	+100
10	-200	-110

Sports Differences

NFL: 6-point teasers most common
NBA: 4-point teasers standard
(Because NFL/NBA scoring differs)

NFL key numbers: 3, 7
NBA key numbers: Less defined

The Wong Teaser Strategy

What Makes a Good Teaser

Wong teasers (named after Stanford Wong):
Favorites: -7.5 to -8.5 teased to -1.5 to -2.5
Underdogs: +1.5 to +2.5 teased to +7.5 to +8.5

Why these ranges?
Cross both 3 AND 7
Most NFL games decided by 3 or 7
Maximum value from points bought

Optimal Teaser Legs

Original Line	Teased To	Crosses
-7.5	-1.5	7 and 3
-8	-2	7 and 3
-8.5	-2.5	7 and 3
+1.5	+7.5	3 and 7
+2	+8	3 and 7
+2.5	+8.5	3 and 7

Why Key Numbers Matter

NFL margin of victory frequency:
3 points: ~15% of games
7 points: ~9% of games
Combined: ~24% of games

Crossing these = significant win % boost
Lines not crossing these = minimal value

Mathematical Analysis

Break-Even Win Rate

2-team teaser at -110:
Need 52.38% combined win rate to break even

Each leg needs: √0.5238 = 72.4% win rate

Standard spread: ~50% win rate
6-point teaser boost: varies by line

Calculating Leg Win Probability

Simple estimate:
+3% win rate per point at key numbers
+1-2% win rate per point elsewhere

-7.5 → -1.5 (6 points crossing 3 and 7):
50% base + ~15% boost = ~65%

Random line teaser:
50% base + ~8% boost = ~58%

Expected Value Calculation

Wong teaser (both legs optimal):
Leg 1: 68% to cover
Leg 2: 70% to cover
Combined: 68% × 70% = 47.6%

Wait, that's below 52.38% break-even!

Actually, optimal Wong teasers:
Leg win rates closer to 73-75%
Combined: 73% × 73% = 53.3%
EV: +1.8% (positive!)

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Classic Wong Teaser

Games:

• Patriots -7.5
• Bills +2

6-point teaser (-110):

Patriots -1.5 (crosses 7 and 3)
Bills +8 (crosses 3 and 7)

Estimated probabilities:
Patriots cover -1.5: 73%
Bills cover +8: 74%

Combined: 73% × 74% = 54%
Break-even: 52.4%
Edge: +1.6%

This is a good teaser

Example 2: Bad Teaser

Games:

• Cowboys -3
• Eagles -6

6-point teaser (-110):

Cowboys +3 (doesn't cross 7)
Eagles 0 (PK, crosses 3 only)

Estimated probabilities:
Cowboys cover +3: 62%
Eagles cover PK: 58%

Combined: 62% × 58% = 36%
Break-even: 52.4%
Edge: -31%

This is a terrible teaser

Example 3: 3-Team Teaser

Games:

• Chiefs -8, Lions +1.5, Packers -7.5

6-point teaser (+160):

Chiefs -2 (good)
Lions +7.5 (good)
Packers -1.5 (good)

Estimated: 72% × 72% × 71% = 36.8%
Break-even at +160: 38.5%
Edge: -4.3%

Even good lines, 3-team is marginal

Example 4: Comparison to Parlay

Same games, standard parlay:

Chiefs -8 (-110): 50%
Lions +1.5 (-110): 50%

Parlay odds: +260
Combined: 25%
EV: 25% × 3.60 - 75% × 1 = -15%

Teaser at +100 (7-point, 2-team):
Chiefs -1: 72%
Lions +8.5: 73%
Combined: 52.6%
EV: 52.6% × 2 - 47.4% = +5.2%

Teaser much better than parlay here

Teaser Strategy Principles

Do Teaser

✓ Crosses both 3 AND 7
✓ Favorites -7.5 to -8.5
✓ Underdogs +1.5 to +2.5
✓ 2-team teasers preferred
✓ Standard -110 or better odds

Don't Teaser

✗ Random spread selections
✗ Lines not crossing key numbers
✗ Heavy favorites (-10 or more)
✗ 3+ team teasers (usually)
✗ Basketball (less value)
✗ Playoff/bowl games (sharper lines)

Bankroll Management

Teasers are still parlays
All legs must win
Variance is high

Recommended:
1-2% of bankroll per teaser
Track results over time
Confirm you're selecting Wong spots

Common Mistakes

1. Random Teaser Selection

Mistake: Teaser favorite games regardless of number Problem: Most lines don't benefit from 6 points Fix: Only teaser Wong-approved lines

2. Too Many Legs

Mistake: 4-team or 5-team teasers for bigger payout Problem: Probability compounds against you Fix: Stick to 2-team teasers

3. Wrong Sport

Mistake: Apply NFL teaser strategy to NBA Problem: NBA scoring doesn't have same key numbers Fix: NFL teasers only (or use sport-specific strategy)

4. Sweetheart Teasers

Mistake: 10+ point teasers for "sure things" Problem: Reduced odds negate extra points Fix: Standard 6-point teasers offer best value

Frequently Asked Questions

Are teasers better than straight bets?

Rarely. Only Wong teasers on specific lines have positive expected value. Random teasers are worse than straight bets.

Why 6 points specifically?

Crosses two key NFL numbers (3 and 7) at optimal cost. 7-point teasers cost more than the extra point is worth.

Do ties win or lose in teasers?

Usually ties lose (the whole teaser). Some books push on ties. Check rules before betting.

Can I teaser totals?

Yes, but less studied. Over/under teasers don't have the same key number advantage.

Why not 3-team teasers?

Mathematics. Three 72% events = 37.3% combined. Payouts rarely compensate. 2-team is optimal.

Do teasers work in basketball?

Less effectively. NBA margins are more distributed. Fewer key numbers. NFL is preferred.

Pro Tips

• Only Wong teasers: -7.5 to -8.5 favorites, +1.5 to +2.5 underdogs

• Stick to 2-team: 3+ team destroys EV

• NFL only: Key numbers make the strategy work

• Shop for -110: Better odds improve everything

• Track results: Confirm you're selecting right

Related Calculators

• Parlay Calculator - Standard parlay odds
• Sports Spread Calculator - Point spread analysis
• Sports Hedge Calculator - Hedging strategy
• Expected Value Calculator - EV analysis
• Kelly Criterion Calculator - Optimal sizing

Conclusion

Teasers let you buy points—but only certain combinations offer genuine value. Our calculator identifies Wong teaser opportunities where crossing key numbers justifies the reduced payout, separating profitable teasers from costly mistakes.

Calculate Teaser Value Now →

Not all teasers are created equal. Moving a -3 to +3 wastes points; moving -7.5 to -1.5 crosses two key numbers with proven value. Our calculator does the math, showing when buying points pays and when you're just paying the casino.