When you place a wager at a sportsbook, there are two possible outcomes – you win or you lose, easy! But this isn’t strictly true, and many people forget that there is such thing as a push bet.
What is a push in betting? It’s the event where neither the bettor or sportsbook wins the bet and usually your original stake is returned. Also known as tie bet or a no action bet. Below, we explore the different scenarios where a push in betting is possible and how you can avoid these disappointing results.
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Push in betting explained
A push in betting is a tie result. This can happen for spread bets, over/under bets, and two-way moneyline bets. We can look at a simple moneyline example to illustrate (A moneyline bet is where you select the winner of a game).
You place a moneyline bet on the Detroit Lions to beat the Kansas City Chiefs. However, the game ends up tied at 12-12. Because neither you nor the sportsbook won, this is classed as a push bet, and you would receive your original stake back as the bet would be void.
Scenarios where a push result is possible
Now you understand what is a push bet, we can explore the specific scenarios where it can happen. This is because a push is impossible for certain sports and/or bet types.
Spread bets
Push bets can occur in spread bets when the result matches the spread line set by the sportsbook. A spread bet is where you bet on both the outcome of a game, and the score difference. Therefore, if the score difference is the same as the spread line, it’s a push bet and your original stake is returned. Let’s look at an example:
- There is a spread bet for the Indiana Pacers vs the San Antonio Spurs with a -7 for the Pacers (and +7 for the Spurs).
- You take the spread and bet that the Pacers will win.
- The game finishes with Indiana beating the Spurs 107-100.
- This is a push bet because the score difference is exactly 7 and neither higher nor lower than the line set by the sportsbook.
In this scenario, the sportsbook would return your original stake.
Over/under bets
Over/under bets involve betting on whether you think a specific thing in a game will be over or under a line value the sportsbook sets. Our guide on
what is over under in betting
covers this in more detail. Because there is a specific line value assigned by the sportsbook, push bets can occur. Let’s look at an example to understand what is a push in betting over/under:
- There is an over/under bet on total points for the Chicago Bulls vs the Philadelphia 76ers and the line is 223.
- You take the over on this bet because you think it will be a high-scoring match.
- The game finishes Chicago 109 – 114 Philadelphia.
- This is a push bet because the total score is exactly 223 and neither the over or the under happened.
What happens if you tie the over/under? In this instance, the sportsbook should refund your original stake.
Moneyline bets
Moneyline bets are where you bet on the outcome of a game i.e. you select the winner. Depending on the sport, a push in betting is possible for moneyline bets. The premise is simple – a moneyline bet can only push in games where a draw is possible. Below, we’ve given common examples of sports where drawing is and isn’t possible:
| Sports/Leagues where a draw is possible | Sports/Leagues where a draw isn’t possible |
| Soccer | NBA basketball |
| NFL football | NHL hockey |
| Boxing | Tennis |
| Rugby | MLB baseball |
| Cricket | |
| Darts | |
| Motorsports | |
To explain further, in Tennis for example, a draw isn’t possible because gameplay continues until someone wins. In contrast, in soccer, matches can end in a tie if the teams score is the same.
Push bets can only occur in two-way moneyline bets, which we explain in the “how to avoid a push in betting” section. In two-way moneyline bets, if the outcome is a draw, your original stake is returned.
Parlays
Push bets in parlays can apply to individual selections within a parlay bet. For example, you might win three of your over/under selections, but the 4th results in a tie. Some sportsbooks will honor this result and count the parlay as a win with reduced odds, whereas others will always count a push selection as a loss. We explain a simple example below:
- Selection 1: You select the over for Dallas vs Miami at 205 points.
- Selection 2: You select the under for the Lakers vs Celtics at 198 points.
- Selection 3:
You select the under for the Grizzlies vs Pelicans at 211 points.
The results are as follows:
- Selection 1:
Dallas 110 – 100 Miami – you win (210 total).
- Selection 2:
Lakers 100 – 98 Celtics – push bet (198 total).
- Selection 3:
Grizzlies 107 – 111 Pelicans – you win (218 total).
The outcome of the parlay can go two ways:
- The sportsbook dismissed the Lakers/Celtics game and counts your parlay as a win.
- The sportsbooks counts the Lakers/Celtics game as a loss and your parlay loses.
How push bets are treated for parlays depends on the individual sportsbook.
Pros and cons of push betting
- In most instances you get your original stake back.
- Push bets can easily be avoided.
- Some parlays can still payout with push results.
- It’s not very entertaining when a push happens.
- Some sportsbooks count push results in parlays as a loss.
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How to avoid a push in betting
When looking at what does push mean in betting, it’s important you understand that this annoyance can be avoided. This is done by using half-point spread bets, three-way lines for moneyline bets, and checking the rules for parlay bets.
Bet on spreads that have half-point options
A spread tie is impossible if the spread is a half number. For example, if the spread for a game between the Dallas Cowboys and Las Vegas Raiders is -6.5 for the Cowboys and +6.5 for the Raiders, a push in betting can’t occur. Teams can’t score half points, therefore, an outcome is guaranteed.
Oftentimes sportsbooks will have
spread bets
with whole numbers which means a push bet can occur. However, some sportsbooks allow you to buy points. For example, if the spread on the Dallas Cowboys to win was -6.0, you could buy points to change this to -6.5, thus preventing a push bet. The downside is that the odds are usually reduced so your payout is less if you win.
Buying that half point in a spread bet is commonly known as “buying the hook”.
Use three-way lines for sports where a draw is possible
In some leagues like the NBA, NHL and MLB, tie games are not possible. For example, in the NBA, if the score is tied at the end of the 4th quarter, overtime periods are played until there is a winner. However, in the NFL, MLS, and European soccer, ties are possible.
When
plus minus betting
on these sports, make sure you take three-way lines if possible. This ensures that there is always an outcome, even if the match is a tie.
What does a 3 way no push mean? It means that you bet on a team winning and/or drawing. For example, if you took a three-way bet on LA Galaxy to beat Los Angeles FC, there could be three possible outcomes:
- LA Galaxy win – you win the bet.
- LA Galaxy draw – you win the bet.
- Los Angeles FC win – you lose the bet.
The odds for three-way bets are typically lower than two-way wagers, but you are guaranteed that a push result cannot occur.
Check the sportsbook’s rules for parlay push payouts
With parlay betting, the rules for pushes can vary from sportsbook to sportsbook. There are two potential outcomes:
- The push bet is counted as a loss: This is the worst case scenario. Some sportsbooks take the cheap option and state that if one of your selections in a parlay bet is a push, it’s counted as a loss. This means that regardless of the other selections, you lose the bet, even though the push bet wasn’t technically a loss.
- The push bet is not counted in the parlay: This is the ideal result. Many sportsbooks take the high road and state that if one of your parlay selections is a push, it’s not counted towards the overall result. Therefore, if 3 out of 4 selections won, and the 4th was a push, you would still win. In this instance, the odds and payout are usually adjusted to account for the decreased difficulty of the three selections.
Sportsbooks don’t make these rules clear! Make sure you read the terms and conditions on things like
betting offers, and the rules relating to parlay bets. We find the quickest way to find push bet rules is to find the sportsbook’s FAQ section or help center, and use the search function to search for “push bets”. This should show relevant articles/faqs with the rules explained.
What is a push? A tie bet on specific bet types
We hope you now have a clear idea of what is a push in betting. It’s the outcome no one wants! To summarize, a push in betting occurs when the result is a tie and neither the bettor or sportsbook win. This can apply to spread bets, two-way moneyline bets, parlays, and over/under bets. To avoid push bets, use three-way moneylines that include a tie as an outcome. For spread bets, make sure to pick lines with half-points so that an outcome is guaranteed. Lastly, check the sportsbooks rules for Parlay bets and how they payout for push bets.
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FAQs
❓ Does a moneyline bet push on a tie?
If your bet was a two-way moneyline and the result is a tie, the bet is a push and you should get refunded your stake. If you chose a three-way moneyline which included a draw as an outcome, the bet pays out as standard and is not a push bet.
💡 What does a push mean in betting?
A push in betting is where neither you nor the sportsbook win the bet. This can occur on several different bet types including spreads, moneylines, parlays, and over/under bets.
🎯 What happens if you tie the over/under?
If you place an over/under bet and the total equals the line, it’s a push bet and the sportsbook should refund your original stake.
