What is a push in betting?
A push is when the result lands exactly on the line, so the bet neither wins nor loses. The stake is returned. For points, runs and goals, only whole-number lines can push, because scores don't have halves.
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Worked example
To start, the box below is filled in with LAL -4 -110. This starting line is a whole-number spread, so its scenarios include a push row for a Lakers win by exactly 4. The box is editable: type any line, or tap one under the card, and the explanation updates.
LAL −4: LAL must win by 5 points or more.
What it means
4 points are taken off LAL's final score (the favorite gives up points). A win by exactly 4 points is a push and the stake is returned. The other side of this bet is the opponent at +4, which wins on any result other than a 5+ point win for LAL.
Scenarios
| If… | LAL −4 | Opponent +4 |
|---|---|---|
| LAL win by 7 points | Win | Loss |
| LAL win by 4 points | Push (stake returned) | Push (stake returned) |
| LAL win by 3 points | Loss | Win |
| LAL lose by 2 points | Loss | Win |
The numbers
LAL −4 −110
- Implied probability
- 52.38%
- Decimal
- 1.91
- American
- −110
- Per 100 staked
- returns 190.91 (profit 90.91)
Watch out for
The spread isn't the price. In LAL −4 −110, −4 is the points and −110 is the odds. A minus spread means that team is the favorite.
Learn more: Point spread guide
Common lines to try
When a push can happen
A push needs the result to land exactly on the line. For scores, that’s only possible with whole numbers:
- Point spread:
LAL -4and the Lakers win by exactly 4. - Total:
O/U 221and the combined score is exactly 221. - Pick’em (
pk): a spread of 0, and the game ends level. - Soccer: draw no bet, or an Asian handicap of 0, when the game is a draw. An Asian handicap of −1 when the team wins by exactly 1.
A spread or total ending in .5 can’t push. That’s why many lines use half points: they always have a winner.
Boxing round totals are the exception. O/U 9.5 rounds falls at 1:30 of round 10, and a
stoppage at exactly that moment is a push. House rules vary, so check the market rules. The
boxing guide has the details.
Spreads that can push
From one team’s point of view:
| Team result | −3 | −3.5 | +3 | +3.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win by 4 | Win | Win | Win | Win |
| Win by 3 | Push | Loss | Win | Win |
| Win by 2 | Loss | Loss | Win | Win |
| Lose by 2 | Loss | Loss | Win | Win |
| Lose by 3 | Loss | Loss | Push | Win |
| Lose by 4 | Loss | Loss | Loss | Loss |
Totals that can push
| Combined score | Over 44 | Under 44 | Over 44.5 | Under 44.5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 45 | Win | Loss | Win | Loss |
| 44 | Push | Push | Loss | Win |
| 43 | Loss | Win | Loss | Win |
Half pushes on quarter lines
An Asian handicap quarter line splits the stake in half across two lines. If one half pushes, that half is returned and the other half wins or loses. That’s a half win or a half loss.
Example: 100 on AH -0.75 at 1.90, and the team wins by 1. The 50 on −0.5 wins and returns 95.
The 50 on −1 pushes and returns 50. That’s 145 back. The soccer guide
has the full table.
A push in a parlay
A parlay joins several bets into one. If one leg pushes, many sportsbooks drop that leg and pay the parlay on the legs that are left, so a 2-leg parlay becomes a single bet. House rules differ, so check them for the market you’re reading.
Same-game parlays (every leg from one game) vary more. If a leg is void, some sportsbooks void the whole ticket and return the stake, and others reprice the parlay without that leg.
Push vs void
A void bet, sometimes shown as “no action”, is cancelled, for example when a game doesn’t take place. The stake is returned, like a push, but for a different reason. When a bet is made void is set by the house rules.
Common misreadings
- A push is a loss.
- A push returns the stake. Nothing is won and nothing is lost.
- Any line can push.
- For scores, only whole numbers can. −4.5 or O/U 221.5 always produce a winner, because scores don't have halves. Boxing round totals are different: a stoppage exactly halfway through a round pushes.
- A push on one leg loses the whole parlay.
- Often the pushed leg is just dropped and the parlay is paid on the rest. House rules decide, so check them.