What does push mean in betting?
Written by Short answer
Push = tie with the book. You get your money back.Only whole-number lines can push.Half points (.5) exist to stop pushes.In parlays, a push usually drops that leg.
A push is a tie. The game lands exactly on the number, so you don't win and you don't lose. The book hands your stake back.
↔ swipe to see the whole diagram
When it happens
▸Spread: you bet -6 and your team wins by exactly 6.
▸Total: you bet over 44 and the final combined score is 44.
▸Moneyline: in a sport where ties are possible, some markets grade a tie as a push.
Why some lines have a half point
A line like -6.5 can't land exactly, because nobody scores half a point. Books use half points to make sure every bet has a winner and a loser.
Pushes in parlays
At most books, a pushed leg just drops off your parlay. A 3-leg parlay becomes a 2-leg parlay and pays at the lower price. Teasers can work differently, so check the rules.
My take
Paying extra to buy a half point off a key number can be worth it in the NFL. Paying it on a random number usually isn't.