Ever wonder what a “push” is in sports betting? To answer this question, let’s first take a quick look at the history of betting in general and then transition to how “pushes” work in sports betting.
The Evolution Of Sports Betting
Although it is still relatively uncommon for an individual to bet on sports, the practice of betting on sporting events has been around for centuries. The most popular sports to bet on during that time were horse racing and jai alai, which are still considered “legal” sports to bet on in some states. This type of betting is called “general betting” because it usually involves a large number of games being tracked throughout the season. Due to the large number of games and events that were typically tracked back in the day, the odds of winning often varied from very low to almost impossible. For this reason, most people who engaged in general betting did so only as a way to make money on the side or as a way of supplementing their income.
The “Push” In Sports Betting
Although general betting continued to be popular until the late 1800s, organized sports betting—the kind that involves wagering on the outcome of a single game or event—emerged in the early 1900s. This new style of betting was fueled by the invention of the computer, which made it possible to keep track of large numbers of games and odds simultaneously. The first sports books opened during this time, which provided services to people who wanted to bet on their favorite teams.
The advent of the internet also made it easier for people to access information about upcoming sports events. This, in turn, caused an explosion of interest in sports betting, leading to an increase in both the number of bettors as well as the amount of money being wagered. One of the most notable events during this time was the 2018 World Cup, which was a blockbuster event that spurred a wave of interest in football, the game that we know today as soccer.
The Growth Of Online Sports Betting
Today, sports betting is a multi-billion-dollar industry, with billions of dollars being wagered on sports events every year. This brings us to the next point.
The growth of online sports betting throughout the 21st century has been phenomenal, with countless sports books opening their doors online. What made this possible was the growing popularity of smartphones and the fact that many bookmakers and online sportsbooks operate from remote locations, making it easy for anyone to place a bet, regardless of whether they are physically located in the same place or not.
This trend towards online betting has led to a massive shift in the way sports betting is done. Previously, people would go to a sports book and place their bet, with the bookmaker taking care of the finances and odds for them. Nowadays, with the advent of online betting, the entire process is done electronically, with the bookmaker operating from a different location than the sports venue. This means that there is very little to no face-to-face interaction between the two parties, and it also lessens the need for trust between the two parties, as there won’t be any opportunity for betrayal.
In the coming months, we will delve into the world of online betting and take a look at some of the tricks of the trade that make this such a lucrative industry.
The NFL, The NBA, And Cricket Are Just A Few Of The Sports That Can Be Bet On
It’s important to point out that not only are sports betting opportunities present in the major American sports leagues, but they are also found in some of the most popular international sports as well. In the coming sections of this article, we will discuss three of the more popular sports that can be wagered on: NFL football, NBA basketball, and cricket. (For a complete list of legalized sports, check out our article on legal betting options.)
NFL Football
If you have enjoyed the success of the New England Patriots the past few years, you may want to consider placing a wager on the team during the 2019 NFL season. Since the beginning of the 2010s, the Patriots have ranked in the top 3 of the NFL in both wins and losses, leading to an incredible 68-45 record during that time span. This makes them the perfect team for punters who love a good underdog story and have a knack for picking winning teams.
The most recent example of this phenomenon is the 2018 season, where New England was able to beat the heavily favored Buffalo Bills in the last game of the season, ensuring that they would win the AFC East division. This was made even more impressive because the Patriots were a 3.5 point underdog throughout the entire game. (If you’re curious, the spread for this particular game was listed as Bills -3.5.)
This trend of underdogs prevailing over the course of the season continues in the 2019 NFL season as well. The Patriots have an unbelievably impressive 23-16 record during the 2018-2019 NFL season, with them currently sitting at 4-1 in the division and on the verge of winning their second consecutive Super Bowl. (As of this writing, the Patriots are 3-point favorites to win Super Bowl LIV.)
NBA Basketball
The 2019 NBA season is underway, and you may now legally bet on NBA games if you live in Nevada, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania. (For a list of legal betting states, visit our articles on legal betting locations and how to bet on your favorite team.)
It is important to point out that the rules regarding NBA betting are different in each state. For instance, in Pennsylvania, you need to be 21 years of age to place a bet; in New Jersey, you need to be 18 years of age; and in Nevada, you need to be legal age of majority. (Which is between 18 and 21 years of age.) The maximum bet allowed in all three states is $2,500 per game. (This is per team, not per individual game.)
This is one of the most popular sports for people who love a good underdog story. The Los Angeles Lakers are one of the most iconic teams in basketball history, and they have always been referred to as a team that “doesn’t make it easy for the other 29 teams.” (The phrase “other 29 teams” originates from the fact that the Lakers’ annual record against the other teams is usually around.500. (They currently have an 11-12 record against the other NBA teams this year.)
This was originally a tribute to the Lakers’ unparalleled tenacity during the game, as they were known to fight through injuries and fatigue to keep playing. It is also interesting to note that the longest game in NBA history was also played between the Lakers and Celtics and lasted for 10 hours and 48 minutes. (This was in 1971 vs. 1972. Games usually last about three hours.)
The interesting thing about the Lakers is that while most teams might tank during the season to get better draft picks, the Lakers will almost always fight to the end. It is well-established that the NBA Draft is more about who you are connected to than anything else, with many players being chosen over a period of months because of who they are connected to rather than how they play. This type of strategy can be seen in the 2019 NBA playoffs, where both the Rockets and the Lakers are still playing despite the fact that they are both extremely familiar with each other due to their longtime rivalry.
Cricket
For avid cricket fans who live in New Jersey or Pennsylvania, the 2019 season is underway as well. Like the NBA, the rules regarding cricket betting are different in each state. However, the maximum bet for cricket is only $2,500, and only bookmakers licensed in New Jersey are able to accept American Express. (The minimum age to bet in New Jersey is 18 years old.)
The popularity of cricket in North America is due in part to the proliferation of T-shirt shops throughout the country that sell cricket shirts as well as the fact that it is one of the few sports that can still be considered “gentleman’s games.” (Although it is not actively promoted by the game’s administrators, cricket is widely accepted as a “prestige sport” due to the fact that it is a highly spectator-friendly sport. (This is in contrast to more violent sports like football and baseball. In those sports, the sport’s administrators have actively tried to tamp down on fan interest due to the fact that there is a great deal of violence involved in them.)