What is a Push in Sports Betting?

What is a Push?

A push occurs when a bet ends in a tie between you and the sportsbook. Neither side wins. Your original stake is returned in full, as if the bet never happened.

Example: You bet Chiefs -3. The Chiefs win by exactly 3 points. You don't win, but you don't lose either. Your money comes back.

Pushes are most common on point spreads and totals when the final margin lands exactly on the number. They're essentially a "no action" result.

When Pushes Happen

Point Spread Pushes

If the spread is a whole number (-3, -7, -10) and the game lands exactly on that number, all spread bets push.

Example:

• Spread: Chiefs -7
• Final score: Chiefs 28, Raiders 21 (Chiefs win by 7)
• Result: Push. All bets refunded.

Total (Over/Under) Pushes

If the total is a whole number and the combined score equals it exactly, over and under bets both push.

Example:

• Total: 45
• Final score: 24-21 (45 points total)
• Result: Push. Both sides refunded.

Moneyline Pushes

Moneyline pushes are rare in most sports since games have winners. But in boxing, a draw results in a push (unless you specifically bet on the draw). Some soccer markets also push on draws.

What Happens to Your Money?

When a bet pushes:

1. Your stake is returned in full to your account balance
2. No profit or loss is recorded
3. It's as if the bet never existed for tracking purposes

Most sportsbooks process pushes automatically within minutes of the game ending.

Pushes in Parlays

This is where pushes get interesting. When one leg of a parlay pushes, the parlay doesn't lose. Instead, that leg is removed and the parlay recalculates at reduced odds.

Example:

You have a 3-leg parlay:

• Leg 1: Chiefs -3 (-110) PUSH
• Leg 2: Bills ML (-150) WIN
• Leg 3: Over 48.5 (-110) WIN

The parlay becomes a 2-leg parlay with Legs 2 and 3. If both of those win, you get paid at 2-leg parlay odds, not 3-leg odds.

The math:

• Original 3-leg parlay at $100: would have paid ~$596
• After push, 2-leg parlay: pays ~$349

You still win, just less than you would have if all three legs hit.

Multiple Pushes

If multiple legs push in a parlay, each is removed. A 5-leg parlay with 2 pushes becomes a 3-leg parlay. If all legs push, your stake is returned.

Why Sportsbooks Use Half-Points

To reduce pushes, sportsbooks frequently use half-point lines:

• Chiefs -3.5 instead of -3
• Total 45.5 instead of 45

You can't score half a point, so these lines can never push. The game will always land on one side or the other.

The half-point is sometimes called "the hook." Losing by the hook (like having Chiefs -3.5 when they win by 3) is painful, but it eliminates the ambiguity of pushes.

Buying Off Key Numbers

In football, certain margins occur frequently:

• 3 points (field goal margin)
• 7 points (touchdown margin)
• 10 points (TD + FG margin)

You can often buy a half-point to move off these numbers:

• Chiefs -3 (-110) becomes Chiefs -2.5 (-120)
• Chiefs -7 (-110) becomes Chiefs -6.5 (-120)

This costs extra vig but turns potential pushes into wins. Whether it's worth it depends on how often you expect the game to land on that exact number.

For a 3-point spread in NFL games, roughly 10% of games land on exactly 3. Buying off the 3 has measurable value. Other numbers are landed on less frequently, making the buy less worthwhile.

Push Rules by Sport

Football (NFL/College)

Pushes are common because whole-number spreads align with scoring increments (3, 7). Key numbers 3 and 7 see the most pushes.

Basketball (NBA/College)

Less common than football because scores are higher and less clustered around specific numbers. But totals can still push.

Baseball

Run lines (-1.5/+1.5) rarely push because you can't win by 1.5 runs. However, some books offer alternative run lines at whole numbers that can push.

Hockey

Similar to baseball. Standard puck lines (-1.5/+1.5) don't push. Alternative lines can.

Soccer

Draws are common, so "draw no bet" markets exist where a draw returns your stake (essentially a push on the draw outcome).

Common Questions

Is a push the same as a void bet?

Similar but not identical. A push is specifically when the result lands exactly on the line. A void bet can happen for other reasons (game canceled, player doesn't play, etc.). Both return your stake.

Do pushes count toward rollover requirements?

Typically no. Pushes don't count as settled bets for bonus playthrough requirements. Check your sportsbook's specific terms.

Can I win on a push in a teaser or pleaser?

Teaser and pleaser rules vary by book. Some treat pushes as losses in these bet types. Always verify before betting.

Should I avoid betting whole numbers?

Not necessarily. If the best value is at -3 rather than -3.5, the potential for a push might be worth accepting. Run the numbers based on expected frequencies.

Strategic Considerations

Pushes and Closing Line Value

If you bet Chiefs -3 and the line moves to Chiefs -3.5, you have CLV even if the game pushes. You got a better number than where the market settled.

Middling Through Pushes

Sometimes you can create a middle that includes a push:

• Bet Team A -3 at Book 1
• Bet Team B +3.5 at Book 2

If Team A wins by exactly 3, you push one bet and win the other. If they win by 4+, you win the first and lose the second. If they win by 1-2 or lose, you lose the first and win the second.

This isn't a guaranteed profit (unlike true arbitrage) but creates a range of outcomes where you at worst break even.

Key Takeaways

• A push is a tie that returns your stake with no profit or loss
• Pushes happen when results land exactly on the line
• In parlays, pushes remove that leg and recalculate at lower odds
• Half-point lines ("hooks") eliminate push possibilities
• Key numbers in football (3, 7) see the most pushes
• Buying half-points can be valuable off key numbers but costs extra vig