Reviewed by TipsterCheck Editorial TeamLast checked 29 October 2026MethodologyCorrections
Betting glossary · Odds & Maths
What is Push?
What is Push?
How a Push Works
A push happens when the result of an event lands precisely on the number used to settle a bet, leaving no winner or loser. It is most common in American-style spread and totals betting, where whole-number lines are frequently offered. For example, if a bookmaker sets an Over/Under line at exactly 44 points in an American football game and the final score produces exactly 44 points, every bet on that total pushes — stakes are refunded regardless of whether the punter backed Over or Under.
In the UK, pushes arise most often on Asian Handicap markets, where a whole-number handicap such as 0, -1, or -2 is available alongside the more common quarter- and half-goal lines. A -1 Asian Handicap on a team that wins by exactly one goal results in a push: the handicap is cancelled out, and the stake comes back. Half-goal lines (e.g. -1.5) are designed specifically to eliminate the possibility of a push, which is why many bookmakers favour them. Rules on how pushes are handled in accumulators vary between operators — some treat the leg as a void and reduce the bet to the remaining selections; others may have different procedures, so always check the operator's terms.
On a betting exchange, a push is treated in the same way: stakes on the relevant leg or market are returned to both backer and layer, with no commission charged on the refunded amount, though exchange-specific rules should be confirmed.
Why Pushes Matter When Judging a Tipster
When assessing a tipster's record, how pushes are counted — or ignored — has a meaningful effect on the headline figures. If a tipster regularly operates in markets where pushes are possible (Asian Handicap, totals, spread markets) and refunded bets are simply removed from the results log, the sample size shrinks and the yield calculation may look more favourable than it truly is. A tipster showing 100 tips with a 10% yield looks different if 15 of those tips quietly disappeared as pushes rather than being recorded as settled bets.
Responsible proofing services and independent review sites should record pushes explicitly rather than deleting them. A push represents a tip that consumed time, capital allocation, and a betting opportunity — treating it as though it never happened distorts the picture. When comparing tipsters across different sports or bet types, check whether their results tables distinguish between void bets (where the event did not take place or was cancelled) and pushes (where the event concluded but the line was exactly matched). The two outcomes are procedurally similar — stake returned — but arise for entirely different reasons and reflect differently on a tipster's selections.
Example: A tipster advises an Asian Handicap bet on Team A at -1; Team A wins 1–0, the handicap exactly cancels the margin, the stake is refunded, and the tip is recorded as a push rather than a win or a loss.
FAQs
Does a push count as a loss for a tipster's strike rate?
No — a push results in a stake refund, so it is neither a win nor a loss. However, reputable proofing services should log it separately rather than omitting it, as removing pushes can artificially inflate yield and distort a tipster's true record.
Can a push occur in an accumulator?
Yes. If one leg of an accumulator pushes, most operators treat it as a void leg and settle the remaining selections as though the bet was placed without it, effectively reducing the accumulator by one selection. Always check your operator's specific terms.
Is a push the same as a void bet?
Not exactly. Both result in a stake refund, but a void bet typically arises because the event was cancelled or could not be settled. A push occurs because the event concluded and the result landed precisely on the set line.
More odds & maths terms: Short Price, Steam Move, Value Bet