What is a Push in Betting Explained
A push in betting occurs when the outcome of a sports bet lands exactly on the betting line, essentially resulting in a tie between the bettor and the sportsbook itself.
In these scenarios, neither side wins or loses. There is no profit or loss involved, and the original stake is refunded to the bettor.
Often referred to as a “push bet” or “no-action bet”, the outcome is a common enough occurrence across different sports markets, especially when whole numbers are involved in the wager.
In this explainer, we’ll examine the term in more detail, how pushes work in different sports, as well as some ways that you could use them to your advantage.
How Do Sportsbooks Handle Pushes in Different Types of Bets?
Sportsbooks have standardized rules for handling pushes, though variations do exist within certain brands’ rules, so dig into the terms for clarification on the betting sites you use. Below, we break down the push meaning in betting with the majority of firms across the most common bet types.
Money Line
In standard moneyline bets in American sports, where you’re backing a team to win outright, pushes are relatively rare, because most games finish with a decisive winner (often through overtime, extra time etc.).
However, in sports that allow ties, like soccer or hockey, a push can occur depending on the market. Most offshore sportsbooks also offer a two-way moneyline (no draw option) for tie-prone sports. The tie in that equation results in a push and a refunded stake.
Alternatively, a three-way moneyline includes the draw as a separate betting option. If you back a team to win on a three-way line and the game ends all square, your wager loses. There’s no push here because that draw was explicitly available to back.
Here’s an example of a push in betting on moneyline: Imagine betting on Team A at -150 in a two-way line and the game ends in a tie. In those circumstances, your bet pushes and your stake is returned.
Point Spread
Points spread bets are where pushes are usually the most frequent, particularly on whole-number lines (e.g. -2, -3 etc.).
The spread, as we know, assigns a handicap to level the playing field and a sports betting push occurs when the favored team wins by exactly the spread amount (or the underdog loses by exactly the set margin).
In an NFL game, for instance, the Dallas Cowboys might be favored by -3 in the point spread. If the Cowboys win 27-24 however, the final margin is exactly 3 points, resulting in a push in sports betting on both sides of the wager (-3 and +3). Stakes are therefore refunded as per the terms.
To get around this, sportsbooks often use a half point format (e.g. -3.5) in a bid to ensure more decisive outcomes and eliminate pushes altogether.
Over And Under Totals
Over/under bets (also known as totals), focus on the combined score of both teams in the same game. A push occurs here when the actual point total lands precisely on the posted line.
For example, the over/under for a Super Bowl matchup might be set at 48.5, though some lines use whole numbers like 48, which heightens chances of push bet occurring. If the game ends with exactly 48 points (e.g., 27-21), both over/under betting sides push, and wagers are refunded.
This is more common in the lower-scoring sports on the book, though betting sites frequently add half-point hook to inch away from round numbers in total bets and the chance of ties.
Props
Player props and game props can also result in a push in betting on occasion, if the outcome hits the exact number on the line. For example, if a prop on passing yards is and the quarterback selected throws for exactly 250 yards, it’s a push in sports betting.
However, sportsbooks increasingly use half-points for those too (e.g. 250.5) for popular props to minimize pushes, especially in high-volume markets like NFL player performances. You can apply the same logic to other prop bets, such as touchdowns or rebounds.
Parlay Betting
In parlay bets, where multiple selections are stacked on top of each other for higher payouts, a push in one leg typically reduces the parlay value rather than voiding it entirely.
The pushed leg is removed and the adjusted bet is recalculated as a smaller parlay with reduced odds. For example, say a five-leg parlay includes four winners and a push on spread bets.
It changes to become a four-leg parlay here, and pays out at lower odds (e.g. +700 instead of +1200). If all legs but one push, it often reverts to a straight bet on the remaining selection.
It is worth noting that some sportsbooks adopt stricter rules around this, where a push bet in the parlay might result in a loss, so always scan house rules.
Pros & Cons of Push Betting Explained
While push sports betting might feel frustrating, especially if you’ve invested time and research into your wager, it does have some upsides to offset the drawbacks for a sports bettor. Let’s take a look at each category now.
- Bankroll Management: With pushes, your bankroll stays intact. No loss is incurred, meaning your returned stake can be used again for future sports bets.
- No Vig Loss: Unlike a losing bet, you don’t forfeit the juice or betting vig, making push betting better for building long term ROI.
- Neutral Record Impact: If you’re trying to maintain a strong betting record, pushes don’t count as losses on the books.
- Hedging Opportunity: In live betting, pushes can occur naturally, which can open up safe exit points and hedge betting opportunities in games that are becoming more volatile.
- No Profit: This is the biggest drawback. You could put in all kinds of time and research into your bets, but the push means you yield zero return for your efforts.
- Frustration Factor: Watching a game come down to an exact margin often leaves bettors dissatisfied. It’s understandable in these scenarios to feel like you’ve wasted your time.
- Parlay Reduction: In multi-leg bets and accas, pushes lower potential payouts significantly. That is, of course, better than an overall loss.
Popular Sports for a Betting Push
Some sports, more than others, are more likely to see pushes due to the scoring structures and higher tie possibilities at play.
Soccer and ice hockey are two standout examples. Both have low-scoring games and frequent draws (especially in soccer’s three-way lines or hockey’s potential ties before shootouts).
Totals and spreads here also often land on whole numbers, which as we discussed earlier, makes for plentiful pushing opportunities.
In major sports stateside, things work a little differently. In the NFL, for example, the points spread bets see frequent pushes on key numbers like 3 and 7, because teams earn three points for a field goal and 7 for the touchdown + extra point.
NBA and college basketball betting, totals can also be a push bet on round numbers, however, half-point adjustments to lines are common here to negate the effect. Baseball (MLB) and NBA moneylines rarely push meanwhile, due to no ties, while futures bets for all sports almost never do.
Effective Push Betting Strategy
While there is no way to eliminate push sports betting entirely, smart strategies exist that can help to minimize their impact, and even turn them to your advantage in some scenarios. Read more about them below.
Shop for Lines with Hooks
Line shopping across sportsbooks is good practice in general, though it’s also a useful exercise for pushes. Comparisons between betting sites often reveal half-point differences (e.g. -3 vs -3.5). Opting for the hook eliminated the risk of a push on whole numbers, even if it does come with slightly lesser odds.
Buy Points Strategically
Sometimes it makes sense to pay extra juice to buy a half-point on a line (e.g. moving -3 to -2.5) to avoid pushes on common margins. Buying points comes in particularly handy in football point spread betting or teaser bets.
Favor Three-Way Lines in Tie-Prone Sports
If you’re wagering on soccer or hockey, using three-way moneylines or the “draw-no-bet” options is a good way to reduce push betting frequency, especially compared to two-way lines.
Incorporate Risk Management
You should view pushes as part of the betting landscape and allow for them in your overall wagering strategy. You can use hedging or live betting to lock in value when games approach key pushing numbers. However, a push bet will still happen on occasion, so factor them into your financial plans.
FAQs
What does push mean in betting?
A push meaning betting is when the bet ties exactly with the line, resulting in a refunded stake. This is a no-win, no-loss outcome that results in neither a profit nor a loss.
How does a push effect a sports bet?
It refunds your original wager in full. In parlays, it typically reduces the bet to fewer legs at lower betting odds.
What does no push mean in betting?
“No push” rules (sometimes seen in promotions or specific markets) treat exact-line outcomes as losses instead of refunds, favoring the sportsbook. Always read the terms and house rules for clarification.
Do I want to avoid a push in betting?
Generally speaking, yes, as it yields no profit, but it’s also far better than incurring a loss for your bankroll.
What does 3 way no push mean?
In three-way betting (win/draw/win), there are that many possible outcomes for a specific bet. The “tie” is one of those distinct options, commonly found in soccer markets, so refunds of your stake apply.
Is a tie a push in NFL betting?
On moneyline bets, NFL ties are rare but they would push in two-way lines when they do occur. On spreads or totals, the outcome is based on the margin/total, not the tie itself.
Does a moneyline bet push on a tie?
Yes, in two-way moneylines (no draw option), it applies. In three-way moneylines, getting a tie is a loss.
What is the difference between a push and a void bet?
A push occurs due to an exact outcome on the line (stake refunded). A void bet is a wager that is canceled entirely (often due to errors, postponements or rule violations). You receive a full stake refund for void bets too.