In football, teaser bettors can buy 6, 6.5, or 7 points, although some books allow bettors to choose from a wider array. Bettors choose at least two wagers they want to combine, but instead of betting on the main spread or total, they wager on alternative lines. Those restrictions aside, constructing a teaser is similar to building a traditional parlay. Most online sportsbooks only offer teasers within these markets. Football and basketball, both collegiate and professional, synergize particularly well with teasers.
Teaser bets derive from point spreads and totals, as those are the only bet types where bettors can buy points. Value opportunities do exist at online sportsbooks, but finding them takes patience and precision. Teasers were once exploitable, but sportsbooks have taken preventative measures against this behavior. The format has evolved significantly throughout the years, and not necessarily for the better. Teasers win far more often than equivalent parlays, which accounts for their reduced payouts.
