How Sportsbooks Grade Bets: Push, Void, Dead Heat Rules Guide

Knowing how sportsbooks grade bets can save you from nasty surprises when a game ends in a tie, a player sits out or a match is postponed. Most disputes come down to rules the bettor never read, so this guide explains the terms you will see most: push, void, dead heat, overtime and settlement.

Quick answer: A push returns your stake when a result lands exactly on the line. A void or "no action" bet is cancelled and refunded. A dead heat splits the payout when competitors tie. Overtime usually counts in NFL and NBA bets but not in regulation-time markets. Exact rules vary by sportsbook.

What Is a Push?

A push happens when the final result equals your bet line exactly. If you bet a team -3 and they win by exactly three, the bet is a push. The same applies to a total of 47 when the final score adds up to 47. Your stake is returned and you neither win nor lose.

Half-point lines such as -3.5 or 47.5 prevent pushes, which is why many bettors prefer them. When a line sits on a key number, particularly in football, the chance of a push is higher. You can read more about how those numbers affect value in our betting fundamentals guide.

Pushes in Parlays

If one leg of a parlay pushes, most sportsbooks remove that leg and recalculate the payout using the remaining legs. A four-leg parlay with one push becomes a three-leg parlay at the corresponding odds. If every leg pushes or is void, the stake is returned. Some promotions and same-game parlays have special rules, so check the terms.

Void and No-Action Bets

A bet is void when the sportsbook cancels it because the event did not take place under the conditions listed. Typical reasons include:

• A game postponed or canceled and not rescheduled within the window set by house rules.
• A player in a prop bet not playing in the game.
• A pitcher change in a baseball market that required listed starters.
• An obvious error in the posted line.

Rules differ by sport and operator. In baseball, for example, some markets are "action," meaning the bet stands no matter who pitches, while others require the listed pitchers to start. Always check the market description before betting. The US sports betting hub explains how regulators in different states set minimum standards, but house rules still vary by operator.

Dead Heat Rules

A dead heat occurs when two or more competitors tie for a position in a market that normally has a single winner, such as a golf outright or a "top five" finish. The sportsbook divides the stake by the number of tied competitors and pays full odds on the portion that wins.

For example, suppose you bet $100 on a golfer at +2000 to win a tournament and he finishes tied for first with one other player after no playoff. Under standard dead heat rules, half your stake ($50) is treated as a winning bet at +2000, which pays $1,000, and the other half loses. Your total return is $1,050 including the half stake. Some sportsbooks apply different terms for ties that go to a playoff, so read the rules for each event.

Overtime Rules by Sport

Overtime treatment is one of the most common sources of confusion. As a general guide:

• NFL: Point spreads, totals and moneylines normally include overtime. A game that ends in a tie after overtime is rare but results in a push on the moneyline at most books.
• NBA: Overtime is included in the final score for sides and totals.
• NHL: Many markets include overtime and shootouts, but "regulation time" lines (3-way) exclude them. Check which version you are betting.
• Soccer: Most markets settle on 90 minutes plus stoppage time and exclude extra time and penalty shootouts, unless the market says "to qualify" or "to advance."
• MLB: Extra innings count toward final scores. Run lines and totals include them.

Regulation-time markets can look attractive because of better odds, but they only win if the specific result happens in regulation. If you want a market that covers overtime, make sure the wording says so.

Player Props, Postponements and Abandoned Games

Player prop settlement depends on whether the player appears in the game. Many sportsbooks void a prop if the player does not take the field, while some require a minimum number of plays or minutes. Postponed games add another layer: baseball bets generally need a certain number of innings to be official, and basketball and football bets may need the game to be completed within a set window.

When a game is suspended and resumed, most sportsbooks keep bets active until the match is completed. When it is abandoned, bets might be voided unless the result is already official. Check your operator's house rules for the exact timeline.

How to Check Your Sportsbook's Rules

Every licensed sportsbook publishes house rules, and these rules are part of the agreement when you place a bet. To avoid surprises:

1. Find the "House Rules" or "Sports Rules" page in the app or on the website.
2. Search for your sport and market type before placing a larger wager.
3. Take a screenshot of the bet slip and market description.
4. Compare rules across books when you shop for lines. Our BetMGM review and Caesars review note differences in how those operators present rules and settlement.

What to Do If You Disagree With a Grade

If a bet was graded in a way you do not understand, contact customer support first and cite the rule you believe applies. Keep your bet ID and screenshots. If the issue is not resolved, many state regulators accept complaints about licensed operators. Rules for contacting them differ by state, so check the regulator's website.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does push mean in sports betting?

A push means the result matched the betting line exactly, so the sportsbook refunds your stake and no one wins.

What happens to a parlay if one leg is void?

Most sportsbooks remove the void leg and pay the parlay at the odds of the remaining legs. If all legs are void, the stake is returned.

Does overtime count for NFL bets?

For most NFL spread, total and moneyline bets, overtime counts toward the final score.

What is a dead heat?

A dead heat is a tie for a winning position, and the sportsbook divides the stake among the tied entries and pays winnings on the part that wins.

Conclusion

Understanding push, void, dead heat and overtime rules makes you a more confident bettor and helps you avoid costly misunderstandings. Read the house rules before every new market, keep records of your bets and bet within your means. For more tutorials, browse our sports betting guide.