Does a Tie Void a Moneyline Bet? Understanding the “Push” in Sports Betting

It’s one of the most common questions for new and experienced bettors alike: You place a moneyline bet on your favorite team, the game ends in a draw, and now you’re wondering what happens to your wager. Do you win? Do you lose?

The short answer is: In the vast majority of standard moneyline bets (also known as a 2-Way Moneyline), a tie will result in a “void” bet or a “push,” meaning you get your original stake back.¹

However, sports betting rules are never that simple. The exact outcome depends on two key factors: the sport and the type of moneyline bet you placed.

1. The Standard Rule: A “Void” or “Push”

For most major American sports where a winner must be declared, like the NFL (after overtime) or NHL (after a shootout), the standard moneyline bet is a 2-Way Moneyline. This type of bet only offers two options: Team A wins or Team B wins.²

Since a tie is not a winning outcome for either team, the bet cannot be settled as a win or a loss.³

• Void/Push: Your original bet amount (your stake) is returned to your betting account.⁴ It’s as if the bet never happened. You don’t win any profit, but you don’t lose your money either.⁵
• No Action: This is another term sportsbooks use for a voided bet.

This rule is most notably relevant in:

• NFL & CFL: If a game finishes with an equal score after overtime (which is rare but possible in the regular season), standard moneyline bets are voided.⁶
• NHL: While a shootout determines an official winner, if a game ends tied in regulation and you bet on a “Regulation Time” or “60 Minute” moneyline, the bet would be a loss unless the tie was an available option. The standard full-game moneyline typically includes overtime and the shootout.
• Boxing/MMA: In a 2-Way Moneyline (Fighter A or Fighter B), a fight that ends in a draw is almost always a push/void.

2. The Major Exception: The 3-Way Moneyline

While the 2-Way Moneyline is the standard for most US-based sports, a 3-Way Moneyline is common in sports where a draw is a frequent and viable outcome, most famously Soccer (Football).⁷

A 3-Way Moneyline explicitly includes the tie (or draw) as a third betting option.⁸

Outcome	3-Way Moneyline Rule
Team A Wins	Bets on Team A win. Bets on Team B and the Draw lose.
Team B Wins	Bets on Team B win. Bets on Team A and the Draw lose.
Draw/Tie	Bets on the Draw win. Bets on Team A and Team B lose.

Key Takeaway for 3-Way Bets:

If you bet on a team to win in a 3-Way Moneyline and the game ends in a tie, your bet is a LOSS. You do not get your stake back unless you specifically bet on the “Draw” option.

Where You’ll See 3-Way Moneylines:

• Soccer: This is the most popular use. Bets are typically settled on the score after 90 minutes plus stoppage time (not including extra time).
• Hockey: Sometimes offered as a “Regulation Only” moneyline.
• Certain Tournaments: Occasionally used in group stage matches in various sports where a draw is a possible final result.

3. Why Your Bookmaker’s Rules Are Final

The most critical advice in sports betting is always to read the fine print on your specific sportsbook’s rules page.

While the “tie equals a push” rule is a global betting convention, small variations exist:

• “Draw No Bet”: This is a specific market that is identical to a standard 2-Way Moneyline. It literally means if the game is a draw, the bet is voided and your stake is returned.⁹ If you are ever unsure, look for this specific market.
• Regulation vs. Overtime: Be mindful of whether your bet includes overtime. For example, a bet on an NBA game’s moneyline will almost always include overtime to determine a winner. A bet on a soccer match is almost always settled after regulation.

What to Look For:

When reviewing the odds for a game, check to see how many betting options are listed under the Moneyline header:

• Two Options (e.g., Team A / Team B): This is a 2-Way Moneyline. A tie generally voids the bet.¹⁰
• Three Options (e.g., Team A / Tie / Team B): This is a 3-Way Moneyline.¹¹ A tie means bets on either team lose.

Summary Table: Tie Rules for Moneyline Bets

Moneyline Type	Applicable Sports	Tie Result	What Happens to Your Stake
2-Way Moneyline	NFL, NBA, MLB, most full-game NHL/MMA	Push/Void	Your original stake is refunded.
3-Way Moneyline	Soccer (Full-Time Result), Hockey (Regulation Only)	Loss	Your original stake is lost (unless you bet on the “Tie” option).

For most standard bets on leagues like the NFL, a tie is simply a push, and you get your money back.¹² But if you’re betting on a sport like soccer, make sure you understand the 3-Way Moneyline rules to avoid an unexpected loss on a drawn game. Always check your betting slip and the sportsbook’s official rules!

For most major American sports where a winner must be declared, like the NFL (after overtime) or NHL (after a shootout), the standard moneyline bet is a 2-Way Moneyline. This type of bet only offers two options: Team A wins or Team B wins.²

Expert Insights: Navigating the Nuances of Moneyline Pushes

While the concepts of the “2-Way” and “3-Way” moneyline form the foundation of betting on the outcome of a tie, a truly expert bettor understands the deeper strategic and technical implications across different markets and wager types.

The Strategic Implication: Value and Vig

Understanding the tie rules is crucial for finding value and recognizing the hidden cost of the vig (vigorish).

1. The Cost of the “Draw No Bet” Insurance

A standard 2-Way Moneyline, which voids on a tie (a.k.a. “Draw No Bet”), might seem ideal because it provides “insurance” against a tie. However, this convenience comes at a cost to the bettor.

• Impact on Odds: The odds offered on a 2-Way Moneyline will always be shorter (pay less) than the odds for the same team on a 3-Way Moneyline. The bookmaker incorporates the statistical probability of a tie into the juice, offering you a lower payout for the added security of the “push.”
• Expert Strategy: If a game’s probability of a tie is low (e.g., late-season, high-stakes NFL game) or you are confident in your team’s ability to win outright, taking the higher odds on a team in the 3-Way Moneyline (where you risk a loss on a draw) can be a better value play.

2. Identifying “Dead Money” on the Draw

In certain sports, the odds for a tie on a 3-Way Moneyline can be extremely long (e.g., +400 to +1000 or higher), reflecting its low probability.

• Risk: Betting on the draw is inherently high-variance.
• Reward: For bettors seeking maximum return on rare outcomes, or those who have analyzed conditions that make a draw more likely (e.g., poor weather, defensive matchups in soccer), the long odds on the tie offer significant positive expected value (EV) if their analysis proves correct.

Ties and the Parlay Paradox

A “void” or “push” in a single-game moneyline has a specific, advantageous effect when that leg is part of a larger parlay bet.

• The Rule: If one or more legs of a parlay are graded as a push (void/no action), that specific leg is removed from the parlay. The parlay itself does not lose; it simply reduces to the remaining legs.
• The Adjustment: The total odds and potential payout of the parlay are recalculated based only on the remaining winning selections.
  • Example: You place a three-leg parlay at odds of +600. If the second leg is a moneyline bet that results in a push, the parlay is reduced to a two-leg parlay, and the new recalculated odds might be +250. If the remaining two legs win, you win the parlay at the reduced odds.

Tie Rules in Niche and International Sports

Tie rules are subject to the sport’s governing body and international betting conventions.

Sport	Typical Moneyline Market	Tie/Draw Rule	Expert Note
Baseball (MLB)	2-Way (includes extra innings)	Impossible to tie	No push risk on the full-game moneyline. The exception is a rare suspended game rule.
Australian Rules Football (AFL)	Often 3-Way	Tie is possible	If a 2-Way market is offered, a tie will void/push. Always confirm if the market is 2-Way or 3-Way.
Rugby League/Union	Often 3-Way (Regulation)	Tie is common	A 2-Way market often exists as “Handicap Betting” (equivalent to “Draw No Bet”) where the tie is a push.
eSports (e.g., League of Legends)	3-Way (Map/Match Result)	Tie is possible in group play	Always check the game format. If “Best-of-Two” is played, a tie (1-1 score) is a common outcome, making the 3-Way bet essential.

The “Tie” in Spread Betting: It’s important to remember that a “tie” when referring to a Point Spread is always called a Push. If your team wins or loses by a margin exactly equal to the spread, the bet is a push, and you are refunded. This is distinct from a moneyline push, but often uses the same terminology for settlement.