What is a Push in Sports Betting?
When your bet ties and your stake is returned
5 min read
The Quick Answer
A push is a tie—the final result lands exactly on the spread or total, so nobody wins or loses.
When a push occurs, your original stake is returned in full. Think of it as a "no action" result. The bet is essentially voided, and it's as if you never placed it. Pushes are most common in point spread and totals betting.
Push Examples: Visual Breakdown
Point Spread Example: Chiefs -3 vs Bills +3
Chiefs Win 27-21
Win by 6 points
Chiefs -3 WINS
Chiefs Win 24-21
Win by exactly 3 points
PUSH - Bet Returned
Chiefs Win 23-21
Win by only 2 points
Chiefs -3 LOSES
The middle scenario is a push—Chiefs won, but not by enough to cover the 3-point spread.
Total (Over/Under) Example: Total 47
Final: 28-24
Combined: 52 points
OVER Wins
Final: 27-20
Combined: exactly 47
PUSH - Bet Returned
Final: 24-20
Combined: 44 points
UNDER Wins
"The Hook": How Sportsbooks Avoid Pushes
You've probably noticed many spreads and totals have a half-point attached: -3.5 instead of -3, or 47.5 instead of 47. This half-point is called "the hook" in betting terminology.
Why the Hook Exists
Since no team can win by half a point, adding the hook guarantees every bet has a winner and loser. Sportsbooks prefer this because:
- No administrative hassle of processing push refunds
- Guaranteed vig collection on every bet
- Cleaner settlement for parlays and teasers
However, whole numbers still exist—especially on key numbers in football like 3 and 7. When the line sits on these numbers, pushes become possible, and that's when understanding push rules matters most.
How Pushes Affect Parlays
When one leg of your parlay pushes, that leg is removed and the parlay continues with the remaining legs at adjusted odds.
| Original Parlay | Leg Results | Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| 4-leg parlay | 3 wins, 1 push | Pays as 3-leg parlay |
| 3-leg parlay | 2 wins, 1 push | Pays as 2-leg parlay |
| 2-leg parlay | 1 win, 1 push | Pays as straight bet |
| 4-leg parlay | 2 wins, 1 push, 1 loss | Loses (the loss kills it) |
Important: A push doesn't save a losing parlay. If any leg loses, the entire parlay loses—the push only removes that leg from the payout calculation.
Common Push Scenarios by Sport
Football (NFL/NCAAF)
Most common push scenarios involve key numbers:
- Spread of 3
~15% of NFL games decided by exactly 3
- Spread of 7
~9% of NFL games decided by exactly 7
- Totals on whole numbers
41, 44, 47 are common landing spots
Basketball (NBA/NCAAB)
Less common due to higher scoring, but still possible:
- Any whole number spread
Less predictable than football
- Totals around 210-230
Common NBA total landing zones
- Player prop totals
Points, rebounds, assists on whole numbers
Strategic Considerations Around Pushes
Buying the Half-Point
Some sportsbooks let you "buy" a half-point for reduced odds. Moving from -3 to -2.5 might cost you -120 instead of -110.
- Worth it on key numbers (3, 7 in football)
- Rarely worth it on non-key numbers
Push Probability
Understanding push probability helps with bet sizing and expectations:
- NFL spread of 3: ~10-15% push rate
- NFL spread of 7: ~6-9% push rate
- Most other numbers: <3% push rate
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a push in sports betting?
A push occurs when the final result lands exactly on the point spread or total number. Neither side wins or loses—your original stake is simply returned. For example, if you bet Chiefs -3 and they win by exactly 3 points, that's a push.
Do I lose money on a push?
No, you don't lose money on a push. Your original wager is returned to your account in full. It's as if the bet never happened. However, you also don't win anything—it's a tie between you and the sportsbook.
What happens to a parlay if one leg pushes?
If one leg of your parlay pushes, that leg is removed and the parlay is recalculated with the remaining legs. A 4-leg parlay with one push becomes a 3-leg parlay. If all remaining legs win, you still get paid, just at lower odds.
Why do sportsbooks use half-points?
Sportsbooks use half-points (like -3.5 instead of -3) specifically to eliminate pushes. Since no team can win by half a point, there's always a winner and loser. This is called "the hook" and it guarantees action on both sides settles definitively.
Can totals (over/unders) push?
Yes, totals can push if the combined score lands exactly on the number. If the total is set at 47 and the final score is 27-20 (47 total), all over and under bets push. This is why you'll often see totals at 47.5 instead of 47.