Basics

Push

A tie — the bet lands exactly on the number. Stake is returned, no win or loss.

If the spread is -3 and the favorite wins by exactly 3, the bet is a push. Same for totals landing exactly on the posted number. Books set lines at half-numbers (.5) specifically to avoid pushes.

Example

Spread -7, final margin 7 → push. Total 224.5 can never push.

Related terms

Point spread

A handicap added to the underdog (or subtracted from the favorite) to even out the market.

Total (over/under)

A bet on the combined score of both teams.

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