What is a Push in Betting? Push Bets Explained | BookieBrawler

A push means in betting, how pushes affect parlays, which bet types can push, and how to use key numbers to your advantage.

How Pushes Work

Say you bet on the Chiefs -3 against the Raiders. If the Chiefs win by exactly 3 points (say, 24-21), the bet pushes. Your stake is returned in full. This is different from a half-point spread like -3.5, where a push is impossible - the team either covers by 4+ points or doesn't cover.

Push Rules by Bet Type

Point Spreads: Push when the margin of victory equals the spread exactly. Whole-number spreads (3, 7, 10) can push; half-point spreads (.5) cannot
Totals (Over/Under): Push when the combined score equals the total exactly. For example, a total of 48 pushes if the final score is 27-21
Moneylines: Cannot push in standard moneyline bets (one team must win). In baseball and hockey, ties don't exist due to extra innings/overtime
Player Props: Can push if the line is a whole number (e.g., over/under 24.5 passing attempts won't push, but over/under 25 can)

What Happens to Parlays When One Leg Pushes?

This is one of the most common questions in sports betting. When a leg of your parlay pushes, it is typically removed from the parlay and the odds are recalculated. A 4-leg parlay becomes a 3-leg parlay. The remaining legs still need to win for the parlay to pay out. Note: some sportsbooks have different push rules for parlays, so always check the house rules.

Push Rates in the NFL

Understanding which numbers push most often is critical for NFL bettors:

3: Roughly 15% of NFL games are decided by exactly 3 - the most common margin of victory
7: About 9% of games land on 7
10: Approximately 5% of games
6, 14: About 4-5% each