A push in gambling, also known as a tie or draw, occurs when neither the player nor the house wins a bet. When this happens, the original wager is returned to the player without any winnings or losses.

Let me explain how a push works in different gambling scenarios:

In sports betting, a push typically happens when the final score matches the spread exactly. For example, if the spread is -7 and the favored team wins by exactly 7 points, that's a push. When this occurs, all bettors get their money back.

For casino games like blackjack, a push takes place when both the dealer and player have the same hand value. If both you and the dealer have 20, neither wins - it's a push, and you get your original bet back.

Here are common situations where pushes occur:

Sports betting point spreads landing exactly on the spread number
Identical hands in blackjack
Certain proposition bets in craps
Some poker scenarios where players have identical hands

It's important to understand that a push is neither a win nor a loss. Your original stake is simply returned, and no commission or house edge is applied. Think of it as a "no contest" situation.

Some casinos and sportsbooks have specific rules to avoid pushes. They might set spreads with half points (like -7.5 instead of -7) or implement house rules that determine a winner in what would typically be a push situation.

Remember that while pushes return your original bet, any additional fees or vig paid upfront typically aren't returned. Always check the specific rules of your betting venue regarding push situations.

A push is generally considered a neutral outcome - you don't lose money, but you don't make any either. It's essentially like the bet never happened, giving you another chance to wager that money on a different bet if you choose.

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