Push | Gambling Glossary

What Is a Push in Gambling?

A push is the gambling term for a tie between a player and the dealer — or the house — where neither side wins and the player's original wager is simply returned to them. No money is gained, and no money is lost on that hand. It's essentially a do-over in financial terms.

You'll hear the word "push" most often at the blackjack table, but it also appears in other card games, sports betting, and certain casino table games.

How a Push Works in Blackjack

In blackjack, a push happens when your final hand total equals the dealer's final hand total. For example, if you're dealt a hand totaling 19 and the dealer also finishes with 19, the round is declared a push. The dealer will slide your original bet back to you, and the round ends with no change to your chip stack.

This is different from losing a hand, where your bet is collected by the house, or winning a hand, where you receive a payout on top of your original bet.

A concrete example: You bet $25. Both you and the dealer end the round on 18. The dealer pushes your $25 chip back to you. Your balance stays exactly where it started.

Where Else Do Pushes Occur?

Pushes show up in several gambling contexts beyond blackjack:

• Sports betting: If you bet a team to win by more than 7 points and they win by exactly 7, the bet is a push and your stake is refunded. This is sometimes called "landing on the number."
• Baccarat: A tie outcome in baccarat is functionally similar to a push, though in baccarat, a tie is its own separate bet with a distinct payout structure — it's not automatic.
• Casino War: If the player and dealer draw the same card, the player can choose to "go to war," but the tie itself is a push scenario that triggers the next decision.
• Three Card Poker and other poker variants: Some game formats return bets when specific tie conditions are met.

Why Pushes Matter to Players

A push is neither a win nor a loss — but it's important not to treat it as a "free" outcome. Pushes still consume time, which is a real cost when you factor in the house edge over many hands. Every round played, even a push, represents another opportunity for the house edge to work against you on surrounding hands.

In blackjack, pushes occur roughly 8% of the time depending on the number of decks and the specific rules in use. That means about 1 in every 12 to 13 hands ends with your bet returned to you unchanged. This is actually a player-favorable mechanic compared to simply losing — getting your money back is always better than forfeiting it — but it does not overcome or reduce the house edge in any meaningful strategic way.

One thing worth noting: some blackjack rule variations change how pushes are handled. A rule called "Bust It" or "Push 22" is occasionally used in certain blackjack variants, where a dealer busting with a total of 22 results in a push rather than a player win. This rule significantly increases the house edge, so it's worth reading the table rules before you sit down.

The Bottom Line on Pushes

A push is one of the more player-friendly outcomes in a casino game — you walk away from that hand exactly as you entered it. Think of it like a coin flip where the coin lands on its edge: nothing happened, and you move on. It won't change your long-term results dramatically, but in the short run, a timely push can keep your session going a little longer.

Always check the specific rules of the game you're playing, since not all push situations are treated the same way across different casinos and game variants.

If gambling is causing stress, financial strain, or conflict in your life, free and confidential help is available 24/7. Call the National Problem Gambling Helpline at 1-800-522-4700.