In case you’re wondering, a push bet is a type of wager where you lay a large amount of cash or credit at risk, on the outcome of a sporting event. If the bet wins, the person placing the wager wins; if the bet loses, the stake is returned along with a small amount of winnings.
The name “push betting” comes from the fact that these wagers are typically placed using a push-button mechanism on a phone or tablet. When you’re at the cash register and the betting slip comes up, you can simply press “Bet” or “Pledge” and your wager is placed. The bookie or casino will handle the rest, delivering the results and returning your cash or creds (at least in theory) instantly.
Traditional Sports Betting
Traditional sports betting is the kind of wager that you make when you attend live events like football or baseball games. You’ll often find sportsbooks at the race tracks where NASCAR and IndyCar events are held. Bookmakers and casinos make large profits from these types of bets and they continue to be popular because people want to avoid the huge crowds and long lines that often occur at the live events.
In recent years, people have begun to patronize online sportsbooks and mobile apps instead of going to the actual game. Unfortunately, not everyone has the time to attend games regularly, so many instead turn to online betting agencies to place their wagers. This type of betting provides its own set of unique challenges because it cannot always be done in real-time. If you’ve ever made an online wager, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
Finality
The main difference between traditional sports betting and push betting is that with the latter, the final score of the game is known beforehand. If you’re playing against the spread, or going up against the bookie’s favorite team, you’re basically guaranteed to lose if the game ends in a draw. This is why push betting is often considered a “saber-tactics” game.
For instance, if you’re playing the NFL betting ring game and lay $100 on the Giants, you know that the final score of the game is going to be either Giants 40, Patriots 35 or 49ers 13, Packers 7. Since you’re playing the under, you’ll lose your $100, no matter how the game goes. It’s a lot safer and less frustrating to play the over, because at least you have the chance of winning.
Speed
Another significant difference between traditional sports betting and push betting is that the latter is generally faster. While you’re waiting in line at the track or watching a TV at home, you can choose which bets to make and how much you’re willing to wager. The pace of a traditional sports match is relatively slow, which is why it’s often referred to as a “movement game”. It takes a while for all the action to settle down and you get a break between plays. This is an important consideration if you want to maximize your winnings.
Risk
One more thing to consider about push betting is that you’re taking on more risk than you would if you were placing a wager on the outcome of a traditional game. For starters, you’re wagering larger amounts of money, which means that you’re more likely to lose. Additionally, because there’s no delay between making the bet and checking out, there’s more opportunity for things to go wrong. The more you wager, the greater the chance of losing a large amount of money. This is why it’s generally considered a lower-risk, higher-reward wagering scheme. Just keep in mind that you could end up losing more than you win.