Micheal Austin is a professional writer and an extensive researcher of gambling legislation. He has vast experience writing about sport and casino. He has contributed to a wide range of gambling sites and news outlets, including August Free Press, Business2Community, Sports Lens, Sports Talk Philly and The Sports Daily.
All posts by Mike AustinIn sports betting, a push occurs when the final result of a game or event results in a tie between the two teams or participants based on the point spread or handicap that was assigned by the sportsbook. When a sportsbook push occurs, the outcome of the bet is considered neither a win nor a loss, and the wagered amount is returned to the bettor.
For example, if a bettor places a bet on a football game with a point spread of -3, it means that the favored team must win by more than three points for the bet to be considered a win. If the favored team wins by exactly three points, the bettor will receive their original wager back, as the bet is considered a push.
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How Does a Push Work?
There are a couple of different ways that a sportsbook push can work because there are different types of bets that you can take on that may result in different outcomes. First, let’s take a look at the variable push outcomes and what a push is in sports betting.
Moneyline Push
In sports betting, a moneyline push occurs when the final result of a game or event results in a tie between the two teams or participants, and the moneyline odds are offered on the game.
A moneyline bet is a type of sports betting wager that involves simply picking which team will win the game outright, regardless of the point spread. When a push occurs on a moneyline bet, the wagered amount is returned to the bettor, and the bet is considered neither a win nor a loss.
For example, let’s say you bet on a baseball game with a moneyline of +120 for the underdog team. If the game ends in a tie, the bet is considered a push, and the entire wagered amount is returned to the bettor.
It’s important to note that while a moneyline push can occur when betting on the NBA and many other popular US sports, in certain sports such as soccer a push isn’t possible. This is because soccer is a three-way moneyline bet where you can bet on a win, loss, or draw, whereas most sports, including football and basketball, are typically a two-way moneyline bet, meaning you can not bet on a tie.
Totals Push
In sports betting, a “totals push” occurs when the total number of points, runs, or goals scored in a game or match exactly matches the total number that the sportsbook set for the bet. When this happens, the bet is considered a tie or a “push,” and the bettor neither wins nor loses their wager. The bettor’s original stake is usually returned in this case. For example, if the total for a basketball game is set at 200 points and the final score is 100-100, the bet is a push.
Source: BetOnline.com Spread Push
In sports betting, a “spread push” occurs when the point spread or handicap that is set for a game results in a tie between the two teams. When this happens, the bettor neither wins nor loses their wager. As always, the bettor’s original stake is usually returned in this case.
For example, if the point spread for a football game is set at -3, meaning that the favorite team is expected to win by at least 3 points. No, if you bet on favorites and the final score is 20-17 in favor of them, then the bet is a push because the favorite team only won by 3 points, which is exactly the point spread. In this case, the bettor would receive their original stake back.
Is a Push a Win or Loss in Parlay Betting?
If your parlay consists of two or more selections, a push will usually result in the parlay being reduced to the next number of selections. For example, if you have a 4-bet parlay and one of the selections results in a push, the parlay will become a 3-team parlay, and the payout will be recalculated accordingly.
If your parlay only has two selections, a push will result in it becoming a single bet. Plus, it is important to note that the specific rules regarding pushes in parlay betting may vary depending on the sportsbook or bookmaker, so it is always a good idea to check the terms and conditions before placing your bet.
Is a Push the Same as a Tie?
Yes, in sports betting, a push and a tie generally refer to the same outcome. A push occurs when the final score of a game or match results in a tie between the two teams or when the final margin of victory is exactly equal to the point spread or total that was set by the sportsbook. In either case, the result is considered a push or a tie, and the bettor neither wins nor loses their wager. Plus, the original stake is returned to the bettor in the case of a push or a tie.
What is a Hook, and How Does it Prevent a Push?
In sports betting, a “hook” refers to a half-point added to the point spread or total in order to avoid a push. For example, instead of setting a point spread at -3, a sportsbook may set it at -3.5, which is referred to as “3 and a hook” or simply “3.5”.
Adding a half-point to the point spread or total can help to ensure that there will be a winner or a loser rather than a tie or a push. This is because it is impossible for a team to win by half a point, so the addition of the hook creates a margin of victory or defeat that will either result in a win or a loss for the bettor.
For example, in the image below a spread bet on the first WNBA game between Connecticut Sun and the Atlanta Dream could result in a push as the spread is a whole number (1). Whereas the second game between the Las Vegas Aces and the Minnesota Lynx can not as it has a hook and the spread is not a whole number (14.5).
Source: BetOnline.com Frequently Asked Questions
Understanding what a push is in betting isn’t that difficult and bettors do need to get their bearings when it comes to the concept. Let’s take a look at what some of your fellow sports betting fans have been asking about push betting.
Does a push win if a player gets hurt?
What does push mean in betting?
What does no push mean in sports betting?
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