Teasing a bet in sports betting is a strategy where a bettor adjusts the point spread or total (over/under) of a game by a certain number of points in exchange for reduced odds. This is typically done with a parlay, which is a single bet that links together two or more individual wagers for a high payout.
Here’s how it works:
1. **Original Lines**: You start with the standard point spread or total lines set by the sportsbook for the games you want to bet on.
2. **Adjusting the Lines**: When you tease the bet, you choose to move the lines in your favor by a predetermined number of points, usually 6, 6.5, or 7 points. For spreads, this means you’re either adding points to the underdog or subtracting points from the favorite. For totals, you’re either adding points to increase the total or subtracting points to decrease it.
3. **Reduced Odds**: The trade-off for moving the lines in your favor is that the potential payout is reduced. The sportsbook adjusts the odds to reflect the easier-to-hit lines.
4. **Parlay Requirement**: Teasing is typically applied to parlays, not single bets. This means you have to win all the legs of the parlay for the tease to pay off.
For example, if you’re betting on football and the line for a game is New England Patriots -7 vs. Buffalo Bills, you might tease that line to Patriots -1 if you’re using a 6-point teaser. This makes it easier to win the bet because you only need New England to win by 1 point or more. However, the odds for the parlay will be less favorable than if you had bet the original line.
Teasing is a way for bettors to play it safer with parlays, as it can make it more likely to win each individual bet within the parlay, but at the cost of a smaller potential return. It’s a strategy that can be particularly useful in situations where you’re confident that the game will be close but aren’t sure which side will cover the original spread.
