What is a push in Blackjack?

Blackjack continues to be one of the most popular table games in both casinos and online platforms worldwide. It is especially cherished for its blend of strategy and chance, offering some of the best odds for players among all of the biggest casino games on the market.

Within Blackjack, a “push” is an outcome that many players encounter, and wonder what it actually means.

In standard multi‑deck blackjack games, pushes occur in around 8% of hands, often when both dealer and player land on totals of 18 to 20 or both hit blackjack, basically, a draw.

Here, I’ll explain what a push means in blackjack, how it works with examples, its effects on bets and house edge, rule variations, and tips for managing bets when pushes occur.

What does push mean in blackjack?

A push in blackjack refers to a tie between the player and the dealer when both end with the same hand total, typically ranging from 17 to 21. While it is nowhere near as exciting as a win, it does impact bankrolls and game flow, so it is vital to know what it actually means in terms of blackjack rules.

In this scenario, the hand is declared a draw and the player’s original stake is refunded as no win or loss is recorded. It’s a neutral outcome where neither side gains advantage, and it happens a lot even in the best online blackjack sites.

How does blackjack push work?

A push arises when the dealer finishes their hand and the player’s total exactly matches the dealer’s total without busting. In such cases, the hand ends in a tie, and the stakeholder’s original bet is returned, so no win or loss occurs. Below I’ve put together some examples that illustrate how common scenarios tend to play out in Blackjack:

Example 1

The player holds a hand totalling 20, but the dealer’s final hand also totals 20. Since the values match, the hand is declared a push. The player’s original stake is returned and no payout or win is recorded.

Example 2

The player achieves a natural blackjack (Ace + 10‑value card), but the dealer also has a natural blackjack. Again, this would lead to a push, so the player’s initial wager is returned, and the usual 3:2 bonus does not apply. 

Example 3

The player reaches 18 through three cards, but the dealer also finishes with 18 after hitting. Once again the totals match, so the round ends in a push and the bet is refunded.

Blackjack push impact on bets and payouts

When a push occurs in blackjack, the player’s original bet is returned immediately, so no profit is earned and no loss is recorded at the table. So, this represents a neutral outcome that preserves the player’s bankroll. Around 8.48% of hands will end in a push in standard multi-deck games.

Pushes disrupt the flow of wins and losses, on top of that, while they do not reduce bankroll directly, they also halt any momentum from winning streaks. Importantly, push outcomes still count toward session statistics, but without affecting net profit or loss and the next hand proceeds with a fresh wager.

Pushes can subtly boost long-term stability, but they can feel really frustrating if you’re on a winning streak looking for another OR you’re on a losing streak looking for a turnaround.

House edge and push outcomes

Push outcomes neither benefit nor harm the player in a single hand, as the original stake is simply returned. However, they do play a subtle role in the overall mathematics of blackjack. On average, around 8.5% of hands result in a push when played with standard multi‑deck rules.

The house edge is not directly adjusted by pushes, since no money changes hands, but pushes do reduce the number of opportunities for wins or losses. This, in turn, slightly blunts win streaks and slows bankroll swings. Under perfect basic strategy at the table, the house edge typically sits between 0.5% and 1%, depending on game rules and deck count (again it’s around 8.5% with standard multi-deck rules).

So, pushes maintain your bankroll longer, but they also keep the casino’s advantage intact, since you don’t gain when a push happens – you just ‘push’ back a hand.

Understanding different variations of blackjack push

Push rules vary significantly across blackjack variants, so it’s really important that you’ve got a grasp of them before you play and how it can affect you at the table. In some games, such as Blackjack Switch and Free Bet Blackjack, a dealer total of 22 triggers a push for all active player hands, even when the player hasn’t busted, rather than a win as per classic rules. This “Push 22” rule offsets player benefits like free doubles and splits, and slightly increases the house edge, which is estimated around 1.0% in games like Free Bet Blackjack.

These variants also adjust payouts: in Blackjack Switch, natural blackjacks pay even money rather than the usual 3:2, to balance the advantage of switching cards between two hands. Similarly, in Spanish 21 and Free Bet games, the Push 22 rule is the trade‑off for liberal splits and doubles. These changes mean that you need to change tack when it comes to the standard Blackjack strategy, so make sure you fully understand the rules before you play.

Tips for managing bets during a blackjack push

When a push occurs, the original stake is simply returned, so as already mentioned there is no win, no loss. When a push happens, I would advise that your bet size remains consistent, typically at 1-5% of your session bankroll, as pushes do not disproportionately affect bankroll size or session endurance: It’s more a mental difference than an actual in-game difference.

So really, I’d advise a flat betting approach, so that means keeping the same stake even after pushes, trying to avoid impulsive increases that can really lead to the rapid depletion of your funds. Meanwhile, unit‑sized wagers aligned with your bankroll guidelines are definitely something to consider, e.g., setting bets at 1-2% of the total session budget means that you get some overall stability during neutral game outcomes like pushes.

Finally, I really advise using pushes to reassess what is going on at the table. Since no money has changed hands, pushes offer a quiet moment to evaluate your current strategy. Chasing a win after a push can lead to poor decisions, so staying disciplined and following your original plan is more effective in the long term!

Conclusion

So as I’ve outlined, a push in blackjack is a neutral outcome where the player’s stake is returned after matching the dealer’s total, it does not result in a win or loss but still plays a role in bankroll management and the overall rhythm of the game. Understanding how pushes affect bets, the house edge, and different rule variations helps you make informed decisions and maintain consistent strategies at the table.

FAQ

1. What happens to bets during a push?

When a push occurs, the round ends in a tie and the player’s original stake is returned with no profit or loss. No side bet is affected by the push unless specific rules apply and the game then continues into the next hand with a fresh wager.

2. Is a push a win or loss?

A push is neither a win nor a loss, it is considered a draw which results in the player’s original bet being refunded. No additional payout is awarded and this neutral outcome preserves the bankroll but offers no opportunity to increase profits from that hand.

3. Does a push affect the dealer’s hand?

No, a push outcome only occurs after the dealer has finished their hand and totals match the player’s. The dealer’s hand remains subject to standard rules as pushes simply determine the result of the round without changing how the dealer must act or complete their play.

4. How often do pushes happen in blackjack games?

In standard multi-deck blackjack, around 8-9% of all hands end in a push. This is most common when both the dealer and player achieve totals of 18, 19, 20, or even 21. While frequent enough to notice, pushes remain a minority outcome compared with wins or losses in a game of Blackjack.

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Remember to gamble responsibly

A responsible gambler is someone who:

• Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
• Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
• Never chase their losses
• Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
• Gamcare – www.gamcare.org.uk
• GambleAware – www.gambleaware.org

Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.

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