Definition of a Push in Sports Betting
A push happens when a bet ends in a tie between the bettor and the sportsbook. In simple terms, neither side wins or loses, and the stake for that leg is refunded.
For example, if you bet on an NFL team -3 and they win by exactly 3 points, that’s a push.
What Is a Push in a Parlay Bet?
In a parlay, every leg matters. Normally, if any leg loses, the whole parlay is lost. But when one of the selections ends in a push, sportsbooks treat it differently:
- Instead of voiding the entire parlay, the push is simply removed from the ticket.
- The parlay payout is recalculated as if that leg never existed.
For instance:
- A 3-leg parlay with odds +600 would shrink to a 2-leg parlay if one leg results in a push.
- Your potential payout will be smaller, but your bet stays alive.
Why Pushes Matter in Parlays
- Keeps Your Bet Alive – Unlike a loss, a push doesn’t kill the entire ticket.
- Affects Payouts – Expect smaller returns if one or more legs are pushed.
- Depends on the Bookmaker – Some sportsbooks have different rules, so always check the terms.
Example Scenario
You place a 4-leg parlay:
- Lakers -5 ✅ (win)
- Celtics -7 ❌ (loss)
- Warriors -3 (push)
- Knicks Over 215 ✅ (win)
Because of the Celtics’ loss, the whole parlay is dead. But if all others were wins and only the Warriors pushed, the parlay would settle as a 3-leg parlay instead of 4.
How BetRocket Helps With Parlays
At BetRocket, we provide tools to make betting smarter—not riskier. Our BetTracker feature allows you to:
- Add and monitor your parlay bets.
- See how pushes impact your overall results.
- Track your long-term performance across both single bets and parlays.
With BetRocket’s insights and tracking tools, you always know where your bankroll stands, even when pushes occur.
Key Takeaway
So, what is a push in a parlay bet?
It’s when one leg of your parlay ends in a tie, and instead of losing the whole bet, the sportsbook removes that leg and recalculates the payout. Pushes reduce potential winnings but don’t ruin your ticket—making them an important concept for every parlay bettor to understand.
And with BetRocket’s BetTracker, you can easily monitor how pushes (and other outcomes) affect your results over time.