No, a Push Does Not Mess Up Your Parlay Bet
If you‘ve placed a parlay bet before, you‘ve probably wondered what happens if one of the legs "pushes" – meaning it ends up in a tie. The good news is that a push will not ruin your parlay. While the payout may be reduced, you still have a chance at winning if your other legs hit.
This article will provide an in-depth guide on how pushes affect parlays, with statistics, examples, and tips to become a better parlay bettor.
What is a Parlay Bet?
A parlay combines 2 or more point spread, moneyline, or game total wagers into a single bet. Picking all the winners correctly results in a big payout – much higher than placing each wager individually.
For example:
- Bet 1: Vikings ML (+120)
- Bet 2: Over 42 points (-110)
$100 straight bet on each at +120 and -110 odds pays out $220.
But combining them into a parlay at +260 odds pays $360 on a $100 bet.
As you add more legs, the potential payouts increase exponentially. A 10-team parlay can pay thousands on a small wager.
The catch is you must get every bet right to win anything. One losing pick, and the whole parlay loses. That‘s why they‘re high risk, high reward.
How Do Pushes Affect a Parlay?
A "push" occurs when a wager results in a tie between the bettor and sportsbook. If the Vikings/Bears game lands exactly on 42 points, that leg would push.
On a parlay, a push simply removes that leg from the calculation. The parlay doesn‘t automatically lose – it just gets reduced by one team.
Using the example above:
- 2-team parlay pays +260 odds.
- If the total pushes, it becomes a straight +120 bet.
The parlay shrinks, but can still win if the other leg hits. Only losing bets negate the entire parlay.
Push Statistics and Examples
Pushes are quite common, especially on parlays with point spread and game total legs:
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In the 2021 NFL season, ~8% of spreads and ~10% of totals resulted in a push.
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For basketball, ~9% of NBA spreads and ~8% of totals pushed last season.
Here are some real examples of pushes on big parlays:
| Parlay Details | Result with Push |
|---|---|
| 16-leg NFL parlay paying $500k+ | Pushed to 15 legs paying $260k |
| 8-team NBA parlay +50000 odds | Pushed to 7 legs at +10000 odds |
| 10-leg ML parlay +4000 odds | Pushed to 9 legs at +1200 odds |
As you can see, the payouts decreased but the bettors still won substantial amounts thanks to winning the other legs.
Benefits and Drawbacks of Parlay Betting
Parlay Pros:
- Potential for big payouts with small stakes
- Adds excitement by rooting for multiple events
- Win most legs, and still profit with few losses
Parlay Cons:
- Lower overall win percentage
- One lost leg kills the whole parlay
- Pushes reduce the payout
Recreational bettors enjoy the entertainment of parlays. But for serious wagering, straight bets have better long-term returns.
Pushes highlight the high-variance nature of parlays. Hitting every leg is extremely difficult – even with just 2 or 3 bets.
Strategies to Improve Parlay Success
While pushes reduce your potential payout, you can implement strategies to increase your parlays chances and minimize losses:
Bet Early Lines
Lines will move against you over time. Grab opening lines as early as possible to get the best number.
Correlate Same-Game Bets
Pairing the spread and total on the same game reduces variance. If your team covers a big spread, the over is more likely to hit too.
Hedge Uncertain Bets
You can place a small hedge on the other side of uncertain parlays legs to secure some profit.
Buy Points for Wider Spreads
Moving the spread further in your favor on uncertain legs helps avoid a push.
Start Small
Don‘t go overboard. Begin with 2-3 leg parlays and build up over time as you learn.
Conclusion – Pushes Don‘t Ruin Parlays
While a push may shrink the potential payout, it won‘t wreck a parlay as long as the other legs win. With smart betting tactics, you can still come out ahead.
A push is better than a loss – it gives you a second chance to still make money. Approach parlays as fun entertainment bets, not serious wagers. And be prepared for pushes to occur occasionally and reduce (but not demolish) your big prospective payout.
Hopefully this guide gave you a deeper understanding of how pushes impact parlay bets. Let me know in the comments if you have any other parlay questions!