Definition
A push occurs when a bet ends in a tie with the point spread or total. When this happens, your original stake is returned—you don't win or lose. It's as if the bet never happened. Sportsbooks use half-points (the hook) to avoid pushes.
Example
You bet Chiefs -3 and they win by exactly 3 points. That's a push. Your $100 bet is returned to your account. If the line was -3.5, the Chiefs would need to win by 4+ for you to win.
Common Questions
What happens to a parlay if one leg pushes?
What happens to a parlay if one leg pushes?
The pushed leg is removed and the parlay is recalculated with remaining legs. A 4-leg parlay becomes a 3-leg parlay. You still get paid if remaining legs win, just at reduced odds.
Why do sportsbooks use half-points?
Why do sportsbooks use half-points?
Half-points eliminate pushes entirely since teams can't score half a point. This guarantees a winner on every bet, which helps sportsbooks manage risk and ensures action settles definitively.