Why was my bet graded as “push”?
Understand bet pushes and how arbitrage betting removes related risks for guaranteed profits.
Why was my bet graded as “push”?
A bet is graded as a "push" when the final outcome exactly matches the point spread or total line, resulting in no winner or loser for that wager.
Understanding how sportsbooks handle ties or exact outcomes is crucial because a push means the bettor gets their stake refunded rather than winning or losing.
While pushes can be frustrating and introduce uncertainty, arbitrage betting eliminates this guesswork by ensuring guaranteed profits regardless of outcomes.
What Is a Push in Betting?
A push happens when the final result lands exactly on the betting line set by the sportsbook. For example, if you bet on a team to win by more than 3 points and the team wins by exactly 3, your bet is neither a win nor a loss. Instead, the sportsbook returns your original stake.
- •Pushes usually occur with point spread and totals bets.
- •They are also sometimes called ties or no action bets.
- •The bettor’s stake is refunded in a push.
💡Push Example
If you bet $100 on a football team to cover a 7-point spread and they win by exactly 7 points, your bet is graded a push and you receive your $100 back.
Bet Amount = $100, Winnings = $0, Returned = $100
Common Sports and Bets Where Pushes Occur
Pushes are most common in sports with point spreads and totals, such as football and basketball. In moneyline bets, pushes are rare except in events that can end in a tie like soccer or hockey, depending on the sportsbook's rules.
- •Point spread bets frequently result in pushes.
- •Totals (over/under) bets can also push if the score hits the line exactly.
- •Some sportsbooks have specific rules for ties in moneyline bets.
💡Totals Bet Push
You bet $50 on the over 45.5 points in a basketball game. The total score hits exactly 45.5 points (e.g., 23-22), resulting in a push and your stake is refunded.
Bet Amount = $50, Winnings = $0, Returned = $50
How Pushes Affect Bettors
Pushes can interrupt betting strategies because no money is won or lost, which can delay profit or loss outcomes. For bettors tracking performance or using progressive staking, pushes create uncertainty in bankroll management. Arbitrage betting removes this uncertainty by balancing bets across outcomes so pushes do not impact guaranteed profits.
- •Pushes delay the realization of wins or losses.
- •They complicate bankroll tracking and staking plans.
- •Arbitrage betting smooths out these interruptions by ensuring consistent returns.
💡Progressive Betting Interrupted by Push
A bettor using a Martingale system has a push outcome, meaning their next bet size does not reset, creating confusion. Arbitrage betting avoids this risk by locking in profits regardless of pushes.
No calculation needed - conceptual example
Push Versus Other Bet Outcomes
Unlike a win or loss, a push is neutral. Wins increase your bankroll, losses decrease it, but pushes leave your stake intact. This neutrality is important when calculating expected value and return on investment. Arbitrage betting, by covering all outcomes with appropriate stakes, ensures wins even when pushes occur on one leg of a bet.
- •Wins yield profit plus original stake.
- •Losses forfeit stake.
- •Pushes return stake only, no profit or loss.
💡Comparing Outcomes
A $100 bet winning at +100 odds returns $200 total, losing returns $0, and a push returns $100.
Win: $100 x 2 = $200, Loss: $0, Push: $100 returned
Avoiding Pushes and How Arbitrage Betting Helps
Some bettors try to avoid pushes by betting on half-point spreads or totals, but this reduces betting options. Arbitrage betting offers a superior approach by placing bets on all possible outcomes across different bookmakers. This strategy removes the risk of pushes impacting profitability and can be automated using tools like ArbitUp, which handle complex calculations effortlessly.
- •Half-point lines reduce push risk but limit choices.
- •Arbitrage betting guarantees profit despite pushes.
- •ArbitUp automates arbitrage calculations for ease and accuracy.
💡Arbitrage Bet Covering Push Risk
By placing bets on both sides of a point spread with different bookmakers, you secure a profit regardless of a push occurring on one side.
ArbitUp calculates exact stake sizes to ensure guaranteed return
How to Handle Pushes in Your Betting Strategy
When a push occurs, the best approach is to treat it as a neutral event and move on without altering your strategy drastically. Tracking pushes accurately helps improve your betting analysis. For those looking to avoid the unpredictability of pushes, integrating arbitrage betting minimizes risk and stabilizes returns.
- •Record pushes separately for accurate performance data.
- •Avoid increasing bet sizes after pushes to prevent risk.
- •Use arbitrage strategies to avoid push-related uncertainty.
💡Bet Tracking with Pushes
A bettor tracks 10 bets: 6 wins, 3 losses, and 1 push. The push is recorded separately to understand true win/loss ratios.
Win % = 6/9 = 66.7%, excluding pushes
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- ⚠️Confusing a push with a loss and incorrectly expecting to lose the stake.
- ⚠️Not tracking pushes separately, which skews betting performance analysis.
- ⚠️Increasing bet sizes after a push in progressive systems, risking larger losses.
- ⚠️Assuming pushes occur only in point spreads and ignoring totals or other bet types.
- ⚠️Ignoring the impact of pushes on bankroll management and staking plans.
- ⚠️Failing to use available tools like ArbitUp to automate complex calculations that can help manage push scenarios effectively.
The Power of Arbitrage Betting
Arbitrage betting eliminates guesswork and risk associated with pushes by covering all outcomes to guarantee profit.
- ✓Removes uncertainty from pushes and ties.
- ✓Ensures consistent profit regardless of individual bet results.
- ✓Automates complex calculations, making betting simpler and more efficient.
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IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER
This content is for entertainment and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. Sports betting involves substantial risk. Only bet with money you can afford to lose. See our Terms of Service for complete legal disclaimers.