Push

A push happens when the final result lands exactly on the spread or total set by the book. No side wins, and the full stake comes back to the bettor. A push is neither a win nor a loss — it is a tie between bettor and book.

Pushes are only possible on whole-number lines. If a football team is favored by exactly 3 and wins by exactly 3, it is a push. If a basketball total is 210 and the combined score is exactly 210, both over and under bettors get refunded. That is why books often post half-point lines (such as -3.5 or a total of 210.5): the half point removes the push and forces a decisive result on every bet.

When one leg of a parlay pushes, that leg drops out and the parlay recalculates on the remaining legs. A four-team parlay with one push becomes a three-team parlay.

Example

The Green Bay Packers are favored by 7 points (-7) against the Chicago Bears. You bet $100 on the Packers at -110. The final is Packers 24, Bears 17 — a margin of exactly 7. Because the margin matches the spread, the bet grades as a push. Your $100 stake returns to your account, with no profit or loss.

Had the Packers won 25-17 (an 8-point margin), the bet wins. Had they won 23-17 (a 6-point margin), the Bears cover and the bet loses.

Key Points

• Pushes only occur on whole-number lines: A half point (such as -3.5 or 220.5) makes a push impossible and guarantees a winner on every bet.
• Your stake is fully refunded: A push has no financial impact. You get the entire wager back as if it never happened.
• Key numbers increase push frequency: In football, spreads of 3 and 7 push more often because games land on those margins. Bettors and books both watch these numbers.
• Parlays are adjusted, not voided: A pushed leg does not sink the parlay. It drops out and the remaining legs set the payout at adjusted odds.
• Buying half points can avoid pushes: Some books let you buy a half point (for example, -3 to -2.5) at slightly worse odds, specifically to dodge a push.