
Ever placed a bet and ended up with neither a win nor a loss? That’s a push in betting. This unique outcome happens when your bet ties, leading to a “no action bet.” It’s key for both new and seasoned bettors to understand.
In a push, sportsbooks give back your original bet. This means you get your money back. Though it might seem like a letdown, knowing about pushes helps you handle your money better.
Pushes can happen in many bets, like point spreads, totals, and sometimes in moneylines. As you get into sports betting more, understanding pushes is vital. It helps you make better choices and set realistic goals.
Overtime and shootouts have cut down ties in many sports, but pushes still happen. In fact, the NFL had one tie in 2019 and two in 2018. Knowing how sportsbooks deal with pushes can prevent confusion and help you pick the right place to bet.
To learn more about how these and other betting nuances can impact your strategy, explore our comprehensive guides and stay ahead of the game by continuing to read on our site!

Introduction to Sports Betting Outcomes
In sports betting, there are three main outcomes: win, lose, or push. A push occurs when the final score matches the set spread or total, resulting in neither the bettor nor the bookmaker winning or losing. In this case, bettors get their money back without a profit or loss. This often happens with point spread and totals bets.
Outcome | Description | Result for Bettor |
---|---|---|
Win | Bet prediction is correct | Profit earned |
Lose | Bet prediction is incorrect | Stake lost |
Push | Exact match of set spread | Stake refunded |
Pushes can occur in various sports, including football, basketball, and baseball. They are less common in soccer due to the nature of betting lines but can happen with totals or in the draw-no-bet market. Pushes can limit winnings but help protect your money and manage risks. Strategies like buying points or teaser betting can help adjust spreads and potentially avoid pushes.
Understanding these scenarios and strategies is crucial for effective money management and optimizing your betting strategy.
Common Scenarios Leading to a Push
It’s key to know about sportsbook push rules for bettors. Pushes happen in many betting situations, ending in a tie between the bettor and the sportsbook. Let’s look at common situations where sports betting pushes occur.
- Point Spread Bets: A push occurs in point spread betting when the final score difference equals the spread. For example, if the spread is -3 and the favorite team wins by exactly 3 points, it’s a push. Neither the bettor nor the sportsbook wins, so the sportsbook refunds the wager.
- Totals (Over/Under) Bets: A push in totals bets happens when the combined score of both teams matches the over/under line set by the sportsbook. For instance, if the total is set at 47 and the final score is 24-23, it’s a push.
- Moneyline Bets in Certain Sports: Moneyline bets can push in sports that allow ties, such as soccer or some NFL games. If a game ends in a tie and there’s no overtime, the bet results in a push.
Some sportsbooks add half-points to their lines to avoid pushes. This ensures a clear win or loss and avoids ties. Bettors should always check the specific sportsbook push rules before placing their bets.
How Sportsbooks Handle Pushes
Sportsbooks generally refund the original bet when a push occurs, which applies to straight wagers, regardless of the odds. Pushes are common in spread and totals betting.
To prevent pushes, sportsbooks often add a half-point (hook) to point spreads or totals, making ties impossible. Some sportsbooks also offer “no action” bets, where you receive a refund if there’s a tie.
Pushes in Different Types of Bets
It’s key to know about betting push rules for different wagers—the meaning of a push wager changes with the bet type. Let’s see how pushes affect single, parlay, and teaser bets.
- Single Bets: In single bets, a push means you get your money back. For instance, if you bet on a -3 point spread and the favorite wins by exactly 3 points, you receive a refund with no profit or loss.
- Parlay Bets: In parlays, a push removes the pushed leg, recalculating the odds accordingly. For example, a four-team parlay with three wins and one push becomes a three-team parlay, altering potential winnings.
- Teaser Bets: Teaser bets handle pushes similarly to parlays. The sportsbook drops the pushed part, and the remaining legs determine the payout, which can significantly impact your chances and potential winnings.
Knowing how pushes impact different bets can guide your betting. Always check the betting push rules of your sportsbook. This helps you avoid surprises and improve your betting strategy.

The Impact of Pushes on Your Bankroll
Knowing about sports betting pushes is key to managing your bankroll well. When a push happens, you get your money back, so it doesn’t affect your finances one way or the other. It means you don’t lose money, but you also don’t gain any.
For bettors who place a lot of bets and focus on their return on investment (ROI), pushes represent missed opportunities. Keeping track of these in your betting records is important. It helps you see how well you’re doing and your success rate. Think of pushes as ties, not wins or losses, to get a clear view of your betting skills.
Bet Type | Push Frequency | Impact on Bankroll |
---|---|---|
Point Spread | Common | Neutral |
Totals (Over/Under) | Common | Neutral |
Moneyline | Rare | Minimal |
Prop Bets | Less Common | Minimal |
To avoid pushes and manage your bankroll better, try strategies like shopping for the best odds and understanding point spreads. Analyzing team matchups and other factors helps you make better bets. This way, you might bet less on pushes and improve your chances of winning.
Strategies To Avoid Pushes
Bettors can use smart tactics to avoid pushes in sports betting. Knowing the betting push rules helps you win or lose, not tie.
- Betting on Lines with Half-Points: One way to avoid sports betting pushes is to bet on lines with half-points. For instance, picking a -3.5 spread instead of -3 stops pushes. This is especially useful in NFL betting, where games often end with a 3-point difference.
- Buying Points To Avoid Push Scenarios: Buying points to move the line away from whole numbers is another tactic. It lowers push chances but may give you less favorable odds. For example, going from +9.5 (-110) to +10.5 (-130) boosts your winning chance from 52.38% to 57.28%.
Strategy | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Half-Point Lines | Eliminates pushes | May have less favorable odds |
Buying Points | Reduces push risk | Lower potential payout |
Three-Way Betting | Offers tie as separate bet | More complex betting structure |
These strategies can help dodge pushes, but they might change your bet’s value. When using these tactics in your betting strategy, always consider the implied probabilities and potential payouts.

Push Rules in Major Sports
It’s key for bettors to know about sportsbook push rules. The rules vary by sport and affect how bettors settle their bets. Let’s look at how betting push rules work in major sports.
In the NFL, ties after overtime mean a push for moneyline bets. But, point spread and totals bets might still have a winner. For MLB, games cut short by rain are official for moneyline bets if they last five innings. Run lines and totals might push if the game doesn’t finish nine innings.
NBA and NHL games don’t often end in ties, thanks to overtime and shootouts. This means pushes are less likely in these sports. Soccer offers three-way betting to avoid pushes in regular time. This gives bettors more choices and better odds.
Sport | Push Scenario | Betting Impact |
---|---|---|
NFL | Tie after overtime | Push on moneyline |
MLB | Rain-shortened game (5+ innings) | Official for moneyline, possible push on run lines/totals |
NBA/NHL | Rare due to overtime rules | Low push probability |
Soccer | Three-way betting offered | Reduces push chances |
Bettors should get to know these sport-specific push rules. This knowledge helps you make better decisions. It also helps you manage your bankroll and pick the best betting options for each sport.
Master the Art of Betting: Optimize Your Strategy With All The Picks
Understanding what a push is in betting can significantly improve your sports betting strategy. While pushes may seem like missed opportunities, they protect your bankroll by refunding your original stake. Whether you’re betting on point spreads, totals, or moneylines, knowing how and when a push can occur is crucial.
By using strategies such as betting on half-point lines or buying points, you can reduce the chances of encountering a push and increase your chances of a win. Stay informed about push rules across different sports to make better betting decisions and optimize your long-term success.
Do you want to master more betting strategies? Dive deeper into the world of sports betting with our expert guides and insights. Explore how different bets work, refine your strategy, and make more informed decisions. Visit All The Picks for all the latest tips and updates. Keep learning and stay ahead of the game!