In the world of sports wagering, particularly with point spreads, bettors often focus on two potential outcomes: winning or losing. However, a third, less frequent result can occur, leaving many newcomers to ask, what is a push in betting? A push is essentially a tie between the bettor and the sportsbook. It is a neutral outcome where neither side wins nor loses, and understanding how it works is a fundamental aspect of becoming a knowledgeable sports bettor. This scenario most commonly arises in point spread and totals betting, where the final result lands exactly on the number set by the oddsmakers.
When a bet results in a push, the primary consequence is straightforward: the sportsbook refunds the original stake to the bettor in full. It is as if the wager never happened. For anyone engaging in sports betting, grasping the concept of a push is critical, as it impacts single wagers, parlays, and the overall betting strategy. This guide provides a detailed explanation of what a push means, how it occurs in different sports, and how it affects more complex bet types like parlays.
Spread Betting Push: What Happens When a Team Wins by Exactly the Spread?
A spread betting push is the most common example of this outcome. It happens when the favored team wins by a margin that is identical to the point spread number. In this situation, the result of the game, after the point spread is applied, is a tie. Because there is no clear winner between the bettor and the sportsbook, the wager is considered void. The sportsbook simply returns the bettor’s original investment, and both parties move on. This outcome underscores the precision involved in point spread betting and highlights why every point in a game matters.
Understanding the Point Spread
To fully comprehend a push, one must first understand the point spread. A point spread is a handicap that sportsbooks apply to create a more balanced betting market between two mismatched teams. The favored team is given a negative number (e.g., -7), which means they must win the game by more than that number of points to cover the spread. The underdog is given a positive number (e.g., +7), meaning they can either win the game outright or lose by fewer points than the spread to cover.
The Push Scenario Explained
A push occurs when the final score differential exactly matches the point spread. For instance, if the Kansas City Chiefs are listed as a 7-point favorite (-7) over the Denver Broncos (+7), a push scenario unfolds if the Chiefs win by exactly seven points.
- A bettor who wagered on the Chiefs -7 needs them to win by 8 or more points.
- A bettor who wagered on the Broncos +7 needs them to lose by 6 or fewer points, or win the game.
If the final score is Chiefs 27, Broncos 20, the margin of victory is exactly seven points. In this case, both bets on the spread result in a push. The stake is returned to everyone who bet on either side of the point spread for that game.
Practical Examples of a Push in Different Sports
The concept of a push is universal across sports that use a point spread, but seeing it in context can help clarify the rule. Whether it is football, basketball, or another sport, the principle remains the same: the final margin must land precisely on the spread number for a push to occur.
NFL Point Spread Push Example
In the NFL, where key numbers like 3 and 7 are common margins of victory, pushes happen with some regularity. Consider a matchup between two NFC North rivals.
- Matchup: Green Bay Packers vs. Detroit Lions
- Point Spread: Packers -3 / Lions +3
For a bet on the Packers -3 to win, Green Bay must win by 4 or more points. For a bet on the Lions +3 to win, Detroit must lose by 2 or fewer points or win the game. If the final score is Packers 24, Lions 21, the Packers have won by exactly 3 points, resulting in a push for all spread bettors.
| Final Score | Margin | Packers -3 Bet Result | Lions +3 Bet Result |
| Packers 27-21 | 6 Points | Win | Loss |
| Packers 24-21 | 3 Points | Push | Push |
| Packers 23-21 | 2 Points | Loss | Win |
NBA Point Spread Push Example
In the fast-paced, high-scoring world of the NBA, point spreads are often larger. A push can still occur when the final point differential aligns perfectly with the spread set by oddsmakers.
- Matchup: Los Angeles Lakers vs. Boston Celtics
- Point Spread: Lakers -5 / Celtics +5
If a bettor takes the Lakers -5, they need Los Angeles to win by 6 or more points. A Celtics +5 bettor wins if Boston loses by 4 or fewer points or wins outright. A push happens if the Lakers secure a victory by exactly 5 points, such as a final score of 112-107.
| Final Score | Margin | Lakers -5 Bet Result | Celtics +5 Bet Result |
| Lakers 115-107 | 8 Points | Win | Loss |
| Lakers 112-107 | 5 Points | Push | Push |
| Lakers 110-107 | 3 Points | Loss | Win |
What Happens to Parlay Bets When a Leg Pushes?
One of the most frequent questions from bettors is how a push impacts a parlay. A parlay is a single wager that links together two or more individual bets for a higher potential payout. For a parlay to win, every single leg, or individual bet, within it must win. If even one leg loses, the entire parlay loses.
The Impact of a Push on a Parlay
When one leg of a parlay results in a push, it does not cause the entire parlay to lose. Instead, the general rule is that the leg that pushed is simply removed from the parlay, and the odds are recalculated based on the remaining legs. For example, a three-team parlay with one push becomes a two-team parlay. If a two-team parlay has one push, it becomes a single, straight bet. This rule is favorable to bettors, as it keeps the wager alive instead of voiding it entirely.
Parlay Push Example
Imagine a bettor places a $10 three-team NFL parlay with the following legs:
- Chiefs -7
- Ravens -10
- 49ers vs. Cowboys Over 51
Now, let’s look at the results:
- The Chiefs win 27-20. This is a 7-point margin, so the Chiefs -7 leg is a push.
- The Ravens win 34-17. This is a 17-point margin, so the Ravens -10 leg is a win.
- The 49ers and Cowboys game finishes with a score of 30-24 (54 total points), so the Over 51 leg is a win.
In this scenario, the push leg (Chiefs -7) is removed. The three-team parlay is now treated as a two-team parlay with the remaining winning legs (Ravens -10 and Over 51). The payout is adjusted to reflect the odds of a two-team parlay rather than the original three-team ticket.
Avoiding a Push: The Role of the Hook
While pushes are a natural part of betting on whole numbers, sportsbooks often use a specific tool to eliminate the possibility of a tie. This tool is known as the hook, and it is a key concept for bettors to recognize.
What is a Hook in Sports Betting?
The hook is the half-point (.5) that is frequently attached to point spreads and totals lines. For example, instead of a spread being -3, a sportsbook might list it as -3.5. That extra half-point makes it impossible for the bet to result in a push, as a team cannot win a game by exactly 3.5 points. The hook guarantees that every bet will have a definitive outcome: either a win or a loss.
How Half-Points Prevent Pushes
Using the earlier example of the Packers -3, let’s see what happens if the spread is Packers -3.5. If the final score is again 24-21, the Packers won by 3 points. In this case, a bet on the Packers -3.5 would be a loss because they failed to win by more than 3.5 points. Conversely, a bet on the Lions +3.5 would be a win. The half-point forces a decision, removing the ambiguity of a push and ensuring a clear winner and loser for every wager.
Pushes in Other Bet Types
Although most commonly associated with point spreads, pushes can also occur in other types of wagers, primarily totals. The conditions for a push remain the same: the final result must match the betting number exactly.
Totals (Over/Under) Bets
In totals betting, a wager is placed on whether the combined final score of both teams will be over or under a number set by the sportsbook. A push happens if the total score equals the line. For example, if the over/under for a game is set at 48 points and the final score is 28-20, the combined score is exactly 48. This would result in a push for all over/under bettors, and all stakes would be refunded.
Moneyline Bets
Pushes are extremely rare in moneyline betting, which is simply a wager on which team will win the game outright. For most American sports like football, basketball, and baseball, a winner is always determined, even if it requires overtime or extra innings. However, a moneyline push can happen in sports where a tie or draw is a common outcome, such as soccer or boxing. In these sports, sportsbooks typically offer a three-way moneyline that includes the draw as a betting option, which prevents a push on a bet for either team to win.
