Teaser Betting Rules: How Sportsbooks Handle Pushes, Voids & Payouts

Teaser betting rules can make or break your expected value, yet most bettors place teasers without reading the fine print. This guide walks through how major US sportsbooks handle pushes, voids, correlation, and payouts on teaser bets. You will learn why two identical teasers can have completely different outcomes depending on the book you use, which rules hurt your bottom line the most, and how to choose the right sportsbook for your teaser strategy. Whether you are building Wong teasers or casual parlays with adjusted lines, understanding these rules is essential for making informed betting decisions.

Why Teaser Rules Matter More Than You Think

Teaser rules matter because they directly affect how often you get paid and how much you win when you do. Two sportsbooks can offer the same teaser price, like -110 on a two-leg, 6-point NFL teaser, but if one treats pushes as losses and the other treats them as voids, the effective value of those teasers is completely different.

Most bettors focus on finding the best lines and the best teaser price, which is important. But if you ignore the rules, you can end up in situations where your winning teaser gets graded as a push, or your push gets graded as a loss, or your three-leg teaser gets reduced to a two-leg teaser at worse odds than you expected. These rule differences compound over time and can turn a breakeven strategy into a losing one.

The good news is that once you understand the common rule structures, you can factor them into your decision about where to place your teasers. Some books are simply better for teasers than others, and knowing which is which gives you an edge that has nothing to do with handicapping.

Core Teaser Betting Rules Across All Sportsbooks

Before diving into book-specific differences, there are a few core teaser betting rules that apply at almost every legal US sportsbook. These rules define what a teaser is and how it works at a basic level.

All Legs Must Win for the Teaser to Cash

A teaser is a type of parlay, which means all legs must win for the teaser to pay out. If even one leg loses, the entire teaser loses. This is true regardless of how many legs you have in your teaser or which sports you are betting on.

The exception is when a leg pushes or is voided, in which case the sportsbook will apply its specific push or void rules. But the default expectation is that every leg must result in a win for you to collect.

Teaser Points Apply to Spreads and Totals Only

You can only tease point spreads and totals, not moneylines, props, or futures. This is a hard rule at every sportsbook. If you want to include a moneyline bet, you need to place it separately or use a traditional parlay instead.

The number of points you can tease depends on the sport and the teaser type. In the NFL, the most common options are 6-point, 6.5-point, and 7-point teasers. In the NBA, you typically see 4-point, 4.5-point, and 5-point teasers. College football and basketball usually follow similar structures but may have different pricing.

Teaser Points Move in Your Favor

When you build a teaser, the points always move in your favor. If you are teasing a favorite, the line moves toward zero or crosses it to become an underdog. If you are teasing an underdog, the line moves further away from zero to give you more cushion. If you are teasing a total, you can move it up if you are taking the over or move it down if you are taking the under.

This is what makes teasers attractive: you are buying a better line across multiple games. The trade-off is that the payout is lower than a traditional parlay because your legs are more likely to win.

Minimum and Maximum Leg Requirements

Most sportsbooks require at least two legs in a teaser. Some allow you to build teasers with up to 10 or more legs, but that is rare and usually not advisable from a strategic standpoint.

The most common teaser structures are two-leg and three-leg teasers. Anything beyond that increases your risk significantly without offering proportional value in most cases. Some books also set maximum payout limits on large teasers to cap their risk.

Push Rules: The Biggest Variable in Teaser Betting

Push rules are the single most important variable in teaser betting because they affect how often you get refunded, reduced, or completely lose when one of your legs lands exactly on the number. Different sportsbooks handle pushes in different ways, and those differences can swing your expected value by several percentage points.

What Is a Push in Teaser Betting?

A push happens when the result of a game lands exactly on the line after the teaser adjustment. For example, if you tease a favorite from -8.5 to -2.5 and the favorite wins by exactly 2.5 points, that leg pushes. The same applies to totals: if you tease a total from 48.5 to 42.5 and the final score totals exactly 42.5, that leg pushes.

Pushes are relatively rare because most modern lines use half-point or even quarter-point increments, but they still happen, especially on key numbers like 3 and 7 in the NFL. How your sportsbook handles that push can be the difference between getting your money back, getting reduced odds, or losing everything.

Push-as-Void (Reduction) Rules

Under push-as-void rules, if one leg of your teaser pushes, that leg is removed from the teaser and the remaining legs are graded as a smaller teaser at different odds. For example:

Two-leg teaser at -110: One leg wins, one leg pushes. The teaser is reduced to a one-leg straight bet, and you are typically paid at even money or a small negative price, depending on the book.

Three-leg teaser at +180: One leg wins, one leg pushes, one leg is pending. The teaser is reduced to a two-leg teaser at standard pricing for two legs.

This is the most common push rule at major US sportsbooks and is generally considered the most bettor-friendly option. You do not lose your stake when a leg pushes; you just get reduced odds.

Push-as-Loss Rules

Under push-as-loss rules, if one leg of your teaser pushes, the entire teaser is graded as a loss. This is much less favorable for bettors and significantly increases the effective cost of the teaser.

Example: You place a two-leg teaser at -110. One leg wins by 10 points. The other leg wins by exactly the teased number and pushes. Under push-as-loss rules, you lose your entire stake.

This rule is less common at the major US books but still exists in some markets and on some special teaser types. Always check before placing your bet.

Special Rules for Two-Leg Teasers

Some sportsbooks have different push rules for two-leg teasers versus three-plus-leg teasers. For example, a book might treat a push in a three-leg teaser as a reduction but treat a push in a two-leg teaser as a loss or as a refund at specific odds.

This is where reading the fine print becomes critical. You cannot assume that all teasers at a given sportsbook follow the same rules. Two-leg teasers often have unique grading because they are the most popular structure and the one where push frequency matters most.

How to Check Push Rules at Your Sportsbook

Every legal US sportsbook publishes its teaser rules somewhere in its help section or terms and conditions. Look for language like:

• What happens if a leg in my teaser pushes?
• How are two-leg teasers graded when one selection pushes?
• Are pushes treated as wins, losses, or voids in teaser bets?

If you cannot find clear language, contact customer support before placing your first teaser. Testing with a very small stake can also help you confirm how the book handles edge cases.

Void Rules: When Legs Are Cancelled

Void rules apply when one leg of your teaser is cancelled entirely, usually because the game was postponed, a player did not play in a prop market, or there was a grading error. Void rules are similar to push rules but apply in different situations.

How Voids Differ from Pushes

A push happens when the result lands exactly on the number. A void happens when the bet is cancelled before or after the game because something went wrong. The outcome is often similar - the leg is removed from the teaser - but the trigger is different.

Standard Void Rules

At most sportsbooks, if one leg of your teaser is voided, the teaser is reduced by one leg and graded at the corresponding odds. This is the same treatment as a push under push-as-void rules.

Two-leg teaser: If one leg is voided, the remaining leg is graded as a straight bet.

Three-leg teaser: If one leg is voided, the remaining two legs are graded as a two-leg teaser.

This is generally consistent across books, but there can be exceptions for special teaser types or promotional offers. Always check the specific terms.

Postponed Games in Teasers

If a game in your teaser is postponed or rescheduled, most sportsbooks will void that leg if the game does not resume within a certain time window, usually 24 to 48 hours. If the game resumes within that window, the leg remains active and is graded based on the final result.

This can create awkward situations where you have a live teaser with one pending leg that may or may not be voided depending on when the game is rescheduled. Some books allow you to cash out early in these situations, while others require you to wait for the final grading.

Correlation Rules: Can You Tease Related Legs?

Correlation rules determine whether you can include related or correlated legs in the same teaser. For example, can you tease both the side and the total from the same game? Can you tease multiple games from the same division or the same slate?

Same-Game Teasers (Side and Total)

Some sportsbooks allow you to tease both the side and the total from the same game in a single teaser. Others block this entirely because the two legs are correlated. If a favorite is winning big, the total is more likely to go over, which means teasing the favorite down and the total down creates negative correlation that reduces the effective value of the teaser.

Books that do allow same-game teasers may adjust the pricing to account for correlation, or they may simply let you build the teaser at standard odds. This is another area where reading the rules can give you an edge or help you avoid a trap.

Teasing Multiple Games from the Same Matchup

Most sportsbooks will not allow you to tease both sides of the same game. For example, you cannot tease Team A +2.5 to +8.5 and Team B -2.5 to +3.5 in the same matchup. This is blocked because one side must win or push, so allowing both legs would create a risk-free opportunity.

The same logic applies to moneylines and parlays, but it is worth noting explicitly for teasers because some bettors try to build these combinations without realizing they are blocked.

League-Wide and Slate-Wide Correlation

There is generally no restriction on teasing multiple games from the same week, division, or slate, even if those games are correlated by weather, market sentiment, or other factors. You are allowed to build a teaser with four NFL games from the same Sunday slate, for example, even if all four are road favorites.

The correlation risk is on you as the bettor. The sportsbook is not going to stop you from building correlated teasers, but you should be aware of the risk and factor it into your decision.

Teaser Pricing and Payout Structures

Teaser pricing varies significantly from book to book and from one teaser type to another. Understanding how payouts are calculated and what factors affect pricing will help you shop for the best value.

Standard Two-Leg Teaser Pricing

At most US sportsbooks, a standard two-leg, 6-point NFL teaser is priced somewhere between -110 and -130. Some books go as low as even money or +100, especially during promotional periods. Others go as high as -140 or worse, especially for recreational bettors or during high-traffic weeks like the Super Bowl.

The pricing reflects the sportsbook's estimate of how often your legs will win after the teaser adjustment, plus their built-in margin. Cheaper pricing means a smaller house edge, which is better for you. Even a 10-cent difference in pricing can add up to significant value over dozens of bets.

Three-Plus-Leg Teaser Pricing

Three-leg teasers typically pay somewhere in the range of +150 to +180, depending on the book and the sport. Four-leg teasers might pay +250 to +300, and so on. The exact payout structure varies, and some books use fixed payout tables while others calculate odds dynamically based on the legs you select.

In general, the payout increases with each additional leg, but not always at a rate that justifies the added risk. You need to calculate the implied probability of hitting all legs and compare that to the payout you are being offered.

Special Teaser Types

Some sportsbooks offer special teaser types with different point adjustments or pricing structures. For example:

Super teasers: Move the line by more points (like 10 or 13 in the NFL) but at much worse odds.

Sweetheart teasers: Move the line by fewer points (like 3 or 4 in the NFL) at better odds.

Reverse teasers (pleasers): Move the line against you in exchange for much higher payouts.

These special types often come with unique push and void rules, and the pricing is usually worse than standard teasers from an expected value standpoint. Treat them as recreational bets unless you have a very specific reason to use them.

How to Compare Teaser Rules Across Sportsbooks

Comparing teaser rules across sportsbooks is straightforward once you know what to look for. Here is a simple checklist to use when evaluating a new book or deciding where to place a teaser:

Questions to Ask

1. Push rules: Are pushes treated as voids, losses, or something else?
2. Void rules: What happens if a game is postponed or cancelled?
3. Correlation: Can I tease the side and total from the same game?
4. Pricing: What is the price for a standard two-leg, 6-point NFL teaser?
5. Leg limits: What is the minimum and maximum number of legs allowed?
6. Payout caps: Are there maximum payout limits on large teasers?
7. Special teaser types: Does the book offer any unique teaser structures?

Where to Find the Answers

Most legal US sportsbooks publish their teaser rules in their help section, usually under a heading like Teaser Rules, Parlay Rules, or How to Bet. You can also contact customer support directly if the rules are unclear.

If you are serious about teaser betting, it is worth spending an hour reading the rules at each sportsbook you use. That one hour can save you from costly mistakes and help you identify which books offer the best value for your specific teaser strategy.

Common Rule Pitfalls to Avoid

Even experienced bettors make mistakes when it comes to teaser rules. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them:

Assuming All Books Have the Same Rules

Different sportsbooks have different rules, and you cannot assume that what works at one book will work at another. Always check the rules before placing a teaser, especially if you are betting at a new sportsbook.

Ignoring Push Frequency on Key Numbers

If you are teasing onto or near key numbers like 3 and 7 in the NFL, pushes become more likely. If your sportsbook treats pushes as losses, that significantly increases your effective breakeven rate. Factor push frequency into your expected value calculations, especially on Wong teasers.

Not Reading Special Teaser Terms

Special teasers, promotional teasers, and boosted teaser offers often come with unique terms and conditions. Those terms might include different push rules, leg restrictions, or payout caps. Read the fine print before opting in to any special offer.

Forgetting to Check Payout Tables

Some sportsbooks use fixed payout tables for teasers, while others calculate odds dynamically. Make sure you know how your payout will be calculated before you place the bet. A three-leg teaser at one book might pay +180, while the same teaser at another book pays +160. That difference matters.

Building Teasers Based on Headlines Only

Just because a sportsbook advertises great teaser odds does not mean the rules are favorable. A book might offer a two-leg NFL teaser at +110, which looks amazing, but then bury push-as-loss rules in the terms. Always verify that the headline price is backed up by fair rules.

How Rules Affect Your Teaser Strategy

Understanding teaser rules is not just about avoiding bad beats or knowing how your bets will be graded. It is about building a better teaser strategy that accounts for the full cost and risk of each bet.

Adjusting Your Filters for Push Risk

If you are betting at a sportsbook with push-as-loss rules, you should adjust your teaser filters to avoid lines that are likely to push. For example, you might avoid teasing onto exactly 3 or 7 in the NFL, even though those are key numbers, because the risk of a push is higher.

On the other hand, if your book has push-as-void rules, you can be more aggressive about teasing onto key numbers because a push just reduces your teaser rather than killing it entirely.

Factoring Rules into Expected Value Calculations

When you calculate the expected value of a teaser, you need to include the impact of push and void rules. A teaser at -110 with push-as-void rules might have positive EV, while the same teaser at -110 with push-as-loss rules might be negative EV.

You can use our Teaser Bet Calculator to estimate expected value under different rule scenarios and see how much those rules actually matter.

Choosing the Right Sportsbook for Your Strategy

If your teaser strategy relies on frequent two-leg teasers that tease onto key numbers, you should prioritize sportsbooks with push-as-void rules and competitive pricing. If you are building longer teasers with lower push risk, the rules matter less and pricing becomes the dominant factor.

Over time, you will develop a feel for which books are best suited to your specific approach. That knowledge is an edge in itself.

State-Specific Teaser Rules and Restrictions

Teaser betting is legal in most US states that have legalized sports betting, but there can be state-specific rules and restrictions that affect how teasers work.

College Sports Restrictions

Some states restrict betting on in-state college teams, which can affect your ability to include those teams in teasers. For example, if you are in Illinois and want to tease an Illinois college football game, you may not be able to do so depending on the sportsbook and the specific state regulations.

Always check whether your state has restrictions on college sports betting before building teasers that include college games.

Prop and Player Teaser Restrictions

Some states or sportsbooks restrict teasing certain prop markets or player props. This is less common for standard spread and total teasers, but it can come up if you are trying to build more exotic teaser structures.

Tax Reporting for Large Teaser Wins

If you hit a large teaser payout, you may be required to report it for tax purposes. The threshold varies by state, but in general, any sports betting win above $600 and at least 300 times your stake may trigger a tax form. Keep records of your teaser bets and payouts to make tax season easier.

Try the Teaser Bet Calculator

Use our teaser calculator to see how different rules and pricing affect the expected value of your teasers. Enter your legs, adjust for push risk, and compare across sportsbooks.

Final Thoughts on Teaser Betting Rules

Teaser betting rules are not glamorous, but they are essential. Ignoring them costs you money, plain and simple. Two sportsbooks with identical teaser pricing can offer completely different value depending on how they handle pushes, voids, and payouts. By taking the time to understand the rules at each book you use, you give yourself an edge that has nothing to do with handicapping or luck.

If you are serious about teaser betting, make reading the rules part of your process. Check push rules, compare pricing, and choose the sportsbook that offers the best combination of rules and odds for your specific strategy. Over time, that discipline will pay off in better results and fewer unpleasant surprises.

For more on teaser betting strategy, see our complete Teaser Betting Guide, our Wong Teaser Strategy Guide, and our guide on Common Mistakes in Teaser Betting.