What is a Push in Sports Betting?

A push is essentially a tie in sports betting between a bettor and the sportsbook. Wagers on a sportsbook app will either win, lose, or push. A win is, of course, the most desirable outcome for a bettor and a loss is obviously the worst outcome. A push isn't desirable for a bettor because they don't win any money, but it's a heck of a lot better than a loss.

You may have found this page by asking your search engine, "What is a push in betting," and if you keep reading, you can learn about the implications for what happens when a parlay or teaser leg pushes and learn everything there is to know about the implications of a push.

Push Scenarios for Different Bets

Below are examples of how different types of sports bets can result in a push. Feel free to read further if you're curious about what pushes look like for point spreads, totals, moneylines, props, parlays, or teasers.

What is a Push in Spread Betting?

A push occurs in point spread betting when the result lands on the exact point spread. For instance, if the Buffalo Bills were -3 vs. the Miami Dolphins and the Buffalo Bills won 27-24, the bet would push. In this scenario, Miami ticket holders and Buffalo ticket holders would both be refunded their original wagers. In the NBA, if the Boston Celtics were -4 vs. the New York Knicks, and the Celtics won 104-100, the bet would also push.

A push can't occur with point spreads that aren't whole numbers. For example, it's impossible to push on a point spread of -3.5 or -7.5 because it's not possible for a team to score a half point. Bettors who want to avoid pushing can shop around for a better point spread that ends in a half point, or they can buy a half point from the sportsbook during the wager. Buying points increases the juice, however, and isn't recommended regularly without strategically thinking about concepts like probability and key numbers.

What is a Push in Over/Under Betting?

While betting totals, AKA over/under bets, pushes occur when the combined final score matches the total set by a sportsbook. For instance, if the total of a Kansas City Chiefs - Houston Texans game was set at 48 and either team won 28-20, the bet would push and anyone who bet the over or under would be given a refund.

Like with point spreads, it's impossible to push on a total that isn't a whole number. For instance, NFL totals of 47.5, 48.5, or 51.5 will never push because football teams can't score a half point.

Can You Push a Moneyline Bet?

Moneyline bets push less often than point spread and total bets in the NFL, but depending on the sport, they can be somewhat common.

In games that can end in a tie, like NFL contests, if the Detroit Lions (-125) were playing the Green Bay Packers (+115) and the teams tied after overtime, then both sides would push and get their money back. However, in sports with 3-way moneylines like soccer, "tie" is a moneyline option, so a moneyline bet on Manchester United would actually lose if the game ended in a draw. With soccer, especially, it's important to know if you're betting on a 2-way moneyline bet or a 3-way moneyline bet. Payouts for 3-way moneylines are better, but carry more risk of losing, while 2-way moneylines are less lucrative and less risky.

FanDuel 3-Way Soccer Moneyline

bet365 3-way Soccer Moneyline

BetMGM 3-Way Soccer Moneyline

Caesars 3-Way Soccer Moneyline

Pushes on Prop Bets

Player props and game props can theoretically push as well, but sportsbooks often create props with half-point spreads to avoid that scenario. For instance, a player prop for Jared Goff having over 278.5 passing yards in his next game can never push because a QB can't be credited with a 1/2 yard in a box score. Likewise, a hockey player can never score a 1/2 goal, and a basketball player can't notch 1/2 an assist.

Pushes on Parlays and Teasers

When learning how to bet, it's important to know the “house rules” of the sportsbooks where you wager. While most sportsbooks have similar house rules, there are often nuances when it comes to pushes with teasers.

For instance, house rules at some sportsbooks say that if any leg of a 2-team teaser pushes, then the bet will be “no action” and the bettor is refunded their money. This means there are surely a lot of in-person bettors who have foolishly thrown their tickets away, assuming they lost their teaser when one leg pushed and another leg lost. At some sportsbooks, they could have gotten their money back. Some sportsbooks would consider the PUSH-Loss scenario a loss. It's best to be aware of these rules before you place your wager so you're not struggling to find the rules while your game is winding down.

For parlays, most sportsbooks' house rules state that if one leg pushes, it's as if it never happened, and the parlay is reduced in size by one leg. For instance, if you have a 5-leg parlay with four winners and a push, then you'll be paid out as if it were a 4-leg parlay. If a bettor has a 9-leg parlay with a push and 8 winners, then it'd pay out as an 8-leg winner. However, parlays with a combination of pushes and losses are considered losses.

Handling a Push

If your bet was trailing for most of the game and you walk away with a push, it can be a relief because you avoided a loss. On the other hand, if your team was dominating the first half of a game and let a big lead evaporate, resulting in a push, it can be a real bummer. Pushes are a regular occurrence for sports bettors, and they can feel different depending on the circumstances and expectations leading up to them.

Is a Push a Loss?

No, a push isn't a loss. While a push can sometimes feel demoralizing for a bettor who thought their bet was going to cash, it's not a loss because they didn't lose money. Think of pushes as ties rather than wins or losses.

How Sportsbooks Handle a Push

Sportsbooks don't like to see a lot of pushes because they don't get to collect vigorish. When a bet pushes, sportsbooks refund the original wager of all bettors. On a sportsbook app, that means your original wager will be automatically refunded to your account. In person at a sportsbook, it means a bettor can turn in a ticket and receive back the money they paid for it.

If you're betting with one of the top sportsbooks that offer promotions with loyalty points for wagering, then most sportsbooks will still reward you even though your bet pushes.

How Should a Push Be Handled for Your Records?

Tracking your bets meticulously with a spreadsheet or with betting software is a good habit to get into. While tracking bets, pushes count as a tie, and bettors don't gain any money in their profit column. Some people might wonder what the point is of tracking a bet if the result doesn't impact their bankroll in any way, but it helps give an accurate sense of how many bets they're placing and what percentage of bets have been successful or unsuccessful.

If you're noting a few more L's on your tracking sheet lately, then we invite you to check out our review of sports betting pick services that might be able to help you get back on track.