Louie
10-25-2002, 05:38 AM
Betting Football Teasers
By Al McMordie
Teasers are a popular bet among sports bettors, and can be a profitable vehicle if used properly. But first things first. For those of you who don't know what a teaser is, I'll explain.
A teaser is a two-team (or more) proposition bet in which a player is given a certain amount of bonus points to add to the final score of each game he selects. To win the bet, a bettor must be correct on each of the teams selected - if any game loses or ties, the bettor loses the teaser. I'll focus on two-team teasers in this article.
With two-team teasers, reputable bookmakers will make a player lay 11-10 for the benefit of adding an extra six points to each of the two teams he selects. Please note the odds aren't 12-10 (or 6-5), which unscrupulous bookmakers (i.e., thieves) will make their clients lay. If your bookmaker's odds are not 11-10, don't be a sucker and play teasers. Just avoid the bet.
Now, if you have a bookmaker that has 11-10 odds on two-team, six-point teasers, then here are the two conditions to including a team in your bet.
First of all, select only teams that you absolutely love without the extra six points.
Secondly, and just as importantly, select teams that the six-points will capture key numbers. The number 3 is by far the most common number by which games are decided, followed by 7, and then 1, 4, and 6 also are popular numbers for the final margin of games.
Teasers are advantageous when you can use the extra six points to capture these key numbers. For example, you can tease a team that is +2 1/2 up to +8 1/2. Then, you capture the key numbers of 3, 4, 6 and 7. Or, vice versa, tease a team down from -8 1/2 to -2 1/2. Another excellent move is to tease a team from +1 1/2 up to + 7 1/2. Then you capture the key numbers of 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Of course, it follows that teasing a team from -12 to -6 doesn't really accomplish much. You've captured the key numbers of 7 and 10, but that's about it. I would stay away from games in that price range. Also, it's foolish to tease a team from -3 to +3. That accomplishes virtually nothing, especially since ties lose.
Finally, don't fall into the trap of finding games which allow you to capture key numbers that you didn't like at the initial number. That would be letting the tail wag the dog.
For example, say the Steelers are playing the Ravens, and Pittsburgh is favored by 6 1/2 points. Sure, it would be a good play to include Pittsburgh in your teaser, but only if you loved the Steelers at -6 1/2. Otherwise, don't do it.
If you follow these simple rules, I believe you can achieve great profits with teasers.
By Al McMordie
Teasers are a popular bet among sports bettors, and can be a profitable vehicle if used properly. But first things first. For those of you who don't know what a teaser is, I'll explain.
A teaser is a two-team (or more) proposition bet in which a player is given a certain amount of bonus points to add to the final score of each game he selects. To win the bet, a bettor must be correct on each of the teams selected - if any game loses or ties, the bettor loses the teaser. I'll focus on two-team teasers in this article.
With two-team teasers, reputable bookmakers will make a player lay 11-10 for the benefit of adding an extra six points to each of the two teams he selects. Please note the odds aren't 12-10 (or 6-5), which unscrupulous bookmakers (i.e., thieves) will make their clients lay. If your bookmaker's odds are not 11-10, don't be a sucker and play teasers. Just avoid the bet.
Now, if you have a bookmaker that has 11-10 odds on two-team, six-point teasers, then here are the two conditions to including a team in your bet.
First of all, select only teams that you absolutely love without the extra six points.
Secondly, and just as importantly, select teams that the six-points will capture key numbers. The number 3 is by far the most common number by which games are decided, followed by 7, and then 1, 4, and 6 also are popular numbers for the final margin of games.
Teasers are advantageous when you can use the extra six points to capture these key numbers. For example, you can tease a team that is +2 1/2 up to +8 1/2. Then, you capture the key numbers of 3, 4, 6 and 7. Or, vice versa, tease a team down from -8 1/2 to -2 1/2. Another excellent move is to tease a team from +1 1/2 up to + 7 1/2. Then you capture the key numbers of 3, 4, 6 and 7.
Of course, it follows that teasing a team from -12 to -6 doesn't really accomplish much. You've captured the key numbers of 7 and 10, but that's about it. I would stay away from games in that price range. Also, it's foolish to tease a team from -3 to +3. That accomplishes virtually nothing, especially since ties lose.
Finally, don't fall into the trap of finding games which allow you to capture key numbers that you didn't like at the initial number. That would be letting the tail wag the dog.
For example, say the Steelers are playing the Ravens, and Pittsburgh is favored by 6 1/2 points. Sure, it would be a good play to include Pittsburgh in your teaser, but only if you loved the Steelers at -6 1/2. Otherwise, don't do it.
If you follow these simple rules, I believe you can achieve great profits with teasers.