Teaser Calculator: NFL & NBA Point Adjustments (2026)
Teaser Calculator: Maximize Your NFL & NBA Teaser Bets
Teasers let you move point spreads in your favor—but at reduced payouts. Our free calculator shows you exact teaser payouts and helps identify the mathematically profitable teaser opportunities that recreational bettors miss.
What Is a Teaser Bet?
A teaser is a parlay where you adjust point spreads or totals in your favor across multiple games. You get better numbers but must hit all legs, and payouts are reduced compared to standard parlays.
Quick Answer: A standard 2-team, 6-point NFL teaser at -110 requires both adjusted spreads to cover. Moving a -7 to -1 and a +3 to +9 dramatically improves your chances on each leg, but you need both to win. The key is finding teasers where crossing key numbers creates enough edge to overcome the reduced payout.
How to Use Our Free Teaser Calculator
Enter your teaser details to see payouts and expected value.
Step-by-Step Instructions
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Select Sport: NFL, NBA, or College
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Choose Teaser Points: 6, 6.5, 7, or 10 points
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Enter Number of Teams: 2-10 team teaser
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View Payout: See the return and implied break-even rate
Input Fields Explained
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Sport | Football or basketball | NFL |
| Points Bought | How many points moved | 6 |
| Teams | Number of legs | 2 |
| Odds | Teaser payout offered | -110 |
Standard Teaser Payouts
NFL Teasers
| Teams | 6 Points | 6.5 Points | 7 Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | -110 | -120 | -130 |
| 3 | +150 | +140 | +120 |
| 4 | +250 | +220 | +180 |
| 5 | +400 | +350 | +300 |
| 6 | +600 | +500 | +450 |
NBA Teasers
| Teams | 4 Points | 4.5 Points | 5 Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | -110 | -120 | -130 |
| 3 | +150 | +140 | +130 |
| 4 | +250 | +220 | +200 |
Payouts vary by sportsbook. Always verify before betting.
The Wong Teaser Strategy
What Makes a Teaser +EV?
Stanford Wong's research identified that NFL teasers crossing key numbers can be profitable. The key numbers are:
Most Important: 3 and 7 (most common NFL margins)
The Wong Teaser Criteria:
- 6-point teaser at -110 or better
- Both legs must cross 3 AND 7
- Favorites between -7.5 and -8.5 (teased to -1.5 to -2.5)
- Underdogs between +1.5 and +2.5 (teased to +7.5 to +8.5)
Why This Works
| Original Line | After 6-Point Tease | Key Numbers Crossed |
|---|---|---|
| -7.5 | -1.5 | 3 and 7 |
| -8 | -2 | 3 and 7 |
| +1.5 | +7.5 | 3 and 7 |
| +2 | +8 | 3 and 7 |
Crossing 3 and 7 captures the most common NFL margins, significantly boosting win probability.
Real-World Teaser Examples
Example 1: Classic Wong Teaser
Week 10 NFL:
- Chiefs -7.5 → teased to -1.5
- Bills +2 → teased to +8
Calculation:
- Each leg estimated 73-75% to cover
- Combined: ~54% chance both hit
- At -110, need 52.4% to break even
- This is +EV
Result: The teaser has approximately +2-3% edge.
Example 2: Poor Teaser Selection
Bad teaser:
- Cowboys -3 → teased to +3
- Packers -10 → teased to -4
Problem:
- Cowboys already at 3, teasing to +3 doesn't cross additional key numbers efficiently
- Packers -10 to -4 crosses 7 but not in optimal range
Result: This teaser likely has negative expected value.
Example 3: NBA Teaser Analysis
NBA teasers are generally -EV because:
- Key numbers less predictable than NFL
- Margins vary more widely
- 4-point teaser doesn't capture as much value
Conclusion: Stick to NFL teasers following Wong criteria.
Teaser Math Deep Dive
Break-Even Win Rate
For a 2-team teaser at various odds:
| Odds | Break-Even Per Leg |
|---|---|
| -110 | 72.4% |
| -120 | 73.7% |
| -130 | 74.9% |
| +100 | 70.7% |
Formula for per-leg break-even:
Per Leg = √(1 / (1 + Decimal Odds))
Expected Value Calculation
2-team Wong teaser at -110:
Estimated leg win rate: 74%
Combined probability: 0.74 × 0.74 = 54.76%
EV = (0.5476 × $100) - (0.4524 × $110)
EV = $54.76 - $49.76 = +$5.00 per $110 wagered
This represents approximately +4.5% ROI—significant edge in sports betting.
When to Teaser (And When Not To)
Good Teaser Situations
✅ NFL favorites -7.5 to -8.5: Teasing to -1.5 to -2.5 crosses 3 and 7
✅ NFL underdogs +1.5 to +2.5: Teasing to +7.5 to +8.5 crosses 3 and 7
✅ 6-point teasers at -110: Standard pricing that makes math work
✅ Sweetheart teasers at fair odds: 10-point teasers can work if pricing is right
Bad Teaser Situations
❌ NFL favorites at -3: Already at key number, teasing to +3 is inefficient
❌ NBA teasers generally: Key numbers less predictable
❌ 3+ team teasers: Compounding probabilities makes edge thin
❌ Teasers at -130 or worse: Pricing eliminates potential edge
❌ Crossing only one key number: Need to cross both 3 and 7
Common Teaser Mistakes
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Teasing Past Key Numbers: Teasing a -2 to +4 wastes points. You've already crossed 3 on the original line.
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Too Many Legs: Each additional leg compounds against you. Stick to 2-team teasers for best EV.
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Ignoring Pricing: A -130 teaser requires much higher win rates than -110. The math changes significantly.
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NBA Over NFL: NFL key numbers are reliable. NBA margins are more random. Focus on football.
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Teasing Totals: Totals don't have the same key number dynamics as spreads. Generally -EV.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are teasers better than parlays?
For specific NFL situations (Wong teasers), yes. Teasers crossing key numbers can be +EV while parlays are almost always -EV. But most teasers are also -EV—only specific situations are profitable.
What's a sweetheart teaser?
A sweetheart (or "monster") teaser gives you extra points (often 10 or 13) at longer odds. These can occasionally be +EV if pricing is fair, but scrutinize carefully.
Should I include totals in my teasers?
Generally no. Totals don't have the same key number structure as spreads. Stick to point spreads for Wong teasers.
Can I tease the same game twice?
Some books allow "pleasers" or reverse teasers, but standard teasers require different games for each leg.
What if one leg pushes?
Most books reduce the teaser by one leg on a push. A 2-team teaser with one push becomes a straight bet at the adjusted odds.
Are college football teasers profitable?
College has more variance and less reliable key numbers than NFL. Professional Wong teaser analysis focuses on NFL.
Teaser Payout Calculator
Quick Reference Table
2-Team NFL 6-Point Teaser at -110:
| Bet Amount | Win | Loss |
|---|---|---|
| $55 | +$50 | -$55 |
| $110 | +$100 | -$110 |
| $220 | +$200 | -$220 |
3-Team NFL 6-Point Teaser at +150:
| Bet Amount | Win | Loss |
|---|---|---|
| $100 | +$150 | -$100 |
| $200 | +$300 | -$200 |
Pro Tips for Teaser Betting
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Wait for the Right Games: Don't force teasers. Only bet when Wong criteria are met—sometimes that's zero games in a week.
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Shop for -110: Some books offer -120 or worse on standard teasers. The extra juice destroys your edge.
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Track Your Results: Keep detailed records of teaser performance to verify edge over time.
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Combine with Bankroll Management: Even +EV bets can lose short-term. Size appropriately.
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Understand the Limits: Sportsbooks may limit teaser bets if you're consistently finding value.
Related Sports Betting Calculators
- Parlay Calculator - Standard parlay payouts
- Odds Converter - Compare formats
- Expected Value Calculator - Is this bet +EV?
- Kelly Criterion Calculator - Bet sizing
- Vig Calculator - Understand the juice
Conclusion
Teasers can be one of the few +EV bets in sports betting—but only under specific conditions. Our free calculator helps you understand teaser payouts and identify when the math works in your favor. Master the Wong teaser strategy, and you'll have an edge that most bettors don't even know exists.
Calculate Your Teaser Payouts Now →
Not all teasers are created equal. Use the calculator, follow the Wong criteria, and bet only when the numbers support it. That discipline separates profitable teaser bettors from everyone else.
