Sports Betting Guide and Terms - Push Sports Betting Terms

Push

Definition

The term ‘push’ refers to a situation in which there is no money lost or won after an event has concluded.

Usage

A wise man once said, “pushing is like kissing your sister—you get action, but you don’t enjoy it”. Along this sentiment, the author wishes to point out that pushing is always better than losing. Sports gambling is a tough hobby to maintain; hence, pushes are but a part of the game. A push results when a spread is ‘hookless’ (no half point to consider). For example if team A is favored by 6 points and team A wins by 6, then all bets on either team A or team B will push (pending that the line did not move). If one were holding a ticket that had team A –6, such a bet would push.
Pushes in parlays, teasers

A push in a parlay usually results in the degradation of the parlay by one team. In other words, in a two team parlay, if one side pushes, then the parlay basically becomes a one team straight bet. If a parlay had four sides and one pushed, then the parlay would revert to a 3 team parlay. Teasers on the other hand are a different story. If one side of a 2+ team teaser pushes, the whole teaser looses (in other words a push is a loss). As one can see, as it relates to parlays and teasers, pushes are handled in different manners.

The hook

The hook is another term for a half point. It happens when a line moves and is a part of line progression. The hook prevents push and is the other best friend of the sportsbook. Often, sportsbooks tack on the hook in high profile games. In football, where the key numbers are 3 and 7, sportsbook hate to leave a line at such numbers. There is a great possibility of a push, and hence, the sportsbooks do not want to end a line at these key numbers. This is the reason why most lines end at either 3.5, or 7.5. Summary

In conclusion, a ‘push’ is a betting term used by the gambling community to describe a bet that neither wins nor pushes. It results when the final outcome lands on the spread (barring a hook). Sportsbooks try to avoid this by moving the line and creating a hook—a half point—this ensures sportsbooks will have action and the ability to rake in the juice.