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Term
Push
Quick Summary
A push happens when the final score lands exactly on the number you bet—resulting in no win, no loss, and your stake refunded. This article explains what pushes are, when they happen, how they impact different bet types, and how to avoid them.
What Is a Push?
A push is a tie between your bet and the outcome. You get your original wager back, and the bet is effectively canceled.
Common Situations:
- You bet -3 and the team wins by exactly 3
- You take Over 210 and the final total is exactly 210
- In soccer, a bet with a 0.0 Asian handicap ends in a draw
When Do Pushes Occur?
Pushes most often happen with:
- Point spreads (e.g., -7 or +3 lines)
- Totals that land on round numbers (e.g., 44, 210, etc.)
- Asian handicaps (0.0) when the match ends in a draw
- Rarely on moneylines unless the market allows for ties
What Happens to Your Bet If There's a Push?
Single Bet:
You get your full stake back. It doesn’t count as a win or a loss.
Parlay Bet:
The push leg is usually removed, and the parlay continues with remaining legs. Odds are recalculated.
Teaser Bet:
The leg is voided. If only two legs were involved, the entire teaser might be graded as a push and refunded.
How to Manage and Minimize Pushes
- Avoid key numbers in football: Choose -2.5 or -6.5 instead of -3 or -7 when possible
- Bet half-points (e.g., Over 44.5 instead of Over 44) to shift push scenarios to wins
- Track line movement: Pushes often happen from stale lines. Watching how sharp markets adjust can help you avoid betting into bad numbers
- Log pushes separately: They’re not losses or wins—track them independently for true ROI
- Know sportsbook rules: Policies vary by book; some might treat parlays or teasers differently in the event of a push
Why Pushes Matter in the Long Run
- They don’t affect your bankroll directly, but too many may signal missed value
- A high rate of pushes might indicate you're consistently betting into inefficient or “dead” numbers
- On sharp lines, occasional pushes can reflect solid market timing
- Miscounting pushes as wins inflates your results and leads to faulty ROI analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Can a push happen in a parlay?
Yes. The push leg is usually removed, and the parlay continues with adjusted odds.
What happens in a teaser if there’s a push?
If it’s a two-leg teaser, the whole teaser is typically voided. Otherwise, the push leg is dropped.
Do pushes count as losses?
No. They’re graded as ties. You get your money back.
Are pushes common in NFL betting?
Yes—especially around common score margins like 3 or 7 points.
How can I avoid pushes?
Use half-point spreads or totals, bet early, and monitor sharp line movement.
Is a push ever a good result?
Yes—especially if you avoided a loss on a bad beat. For sharp bettors, it may signal you're on the right side of a line.
Learn More
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