We are less than a week away from the start of the NFL season. Which means bettors are preparing for another year of spreads, totals, parlays, and props. However, you don’t have to bet the traditional side or total. There are several alternative ways to attack the NFL betting market.
One popular option is an NFL teaser. Teasers allow bettors to move multiple point spreads in their favor. You can build a teaser with two legs, three legs, or even more selections. If you’re unfamiliar with teasers, don’t worry. Here’s everything you need to know about building an NFL teaser.
How To Build An NFL Teaser
What is an NFL Teaser? It’s simple. An NFL teaser is essentially a parlay that allows bettors to adjust point spreads. You receive more favorable numbers but accept a lower potential payout.
For example, imagine the Chiefs are -7.5 against the Raiders. A six-point teaser would move Kansas City to -1.5. The same concept works with underdogs. A team listed at +2.5 would become +8.5 after a six-point teaser. Every sportsbook has its own teaser rules and pricing. So, remember to always check the available options before placing your wager.
Now, you might be asking yourself how does an NFL work? The easiest way to understand teasers is to think about buying points. You’re essentially sacrificing a potential payout in exchange for more favorable spreads.
Imagine you like two favorites on the Sunday slate. One team is -7.5, while another is -6. You could place both bets individually, or combine them into a six-point teaser. The spreads would then become -1.5 and pick’em.
Now, both teams have significantly more room to cover. However, the sportsbook gives you shorter odds because you’ve made the bets easier to cash. The most important thing to remember is that every leg must win. If one selection loses, the entire teaser loses.
How To Build An NFL Teaser
A lot of people go back and forth on how many legs they should include in their teaser. In my opinion I believe the two-team, six-point teaser is the simplest starting point to learn how teasers work. You can also make it a three-team teaser or even more depending on the sportsbook.
Your goal always should be to find the best numbers, rather than adding more teams for a better pay out.
I would say six-point teasers are the most popular version of this bet. Teasers are very straightforward. Favorites move six points toward zero, while underdogs receive six additional points.
For example, a -8.5 favorite becomes -2.5. Meanwhile, a +1.5 underdog becomes +7.5. But not every six-point teaser is created equally. Where the original spread starts matters a ton.
If you are an experienced bettor, you constantly hear people talk about key numbers. There are two that particularly matter, three and seven. Those numbers matter because many NFL games finish with margins of three or seven points.
Remember, when building your teasers make sure, you’re crossing those key numbers. For example, teasing a favorite from -7.5 to -1.5 crosses both seven and three. That’s significantly more valuable than moving -4.5 to +1.5. Also, moving an underdog from +2.5 to +8.5 crosses three and seven.
How To Build An NFL Teaser
In conclusion, I think NFL teasers can be an attractive alternative for bettors who don’t want to play a side or total. The most important part is where those points take your spread. Crossing key numbers like three and seven can add the most value. For beginners, start with two-team six-point teasers. Focus on strong teams with spreads that create favorable numbers after your adjustment.
