Have you ever been to a casino, or perhaps watched an intense game of Blackjack on television?
If so, you may have heard the term “push” thrown around.
But what exactly is a push in Blackjack and why should you care?

Well, if you want to become an ace at playing this classic card game, understanding when and why someone would call a “push” is essential.
Today, we will explore the concept of pushing in Blackjack and explain how it can work to your advantage while playing.
So get ready for some serious winning with our guide to pushing in blackjack!
What Is a Push in Blackjack?
A “push” is a term used to describe the outcome of a hand when both the player and dealer have the same total.
This can happen when either both players have blackjack, or if neither surpasses 21 points.
In this situation, no one wins and all bets remain unchanged; these hands are referred to as pushes.
Definition
A push occurs in Blackjack when both players (player & dealer) have equal amounts at the end of their respective rounds.
Neither player will lose nor win anything from that particular hand.
Explanation

A push occurs in Blackjack when two conditions exist, either both players have blackjacks or none exceeds 21 points.
When these conditions occur, no money changes hands between them and they must split their bet evenly with no repercussions on either side’s chips stack size.
The only instance where this isn’t true is if insurance was taken before any cards were dealt; then whoever took it would be paid out accordingly despite nobody winning – but that doesn’t count as an actual “push”.
Impact of Push on Gameplay
Pushes can be incredibly frustrating for those who want to make money off playing Blackjack since there is usually nothing that can be done to redeem themselves in that particular hand.
It can also be very disheartening for those who have been dealt a strong starting hand and were expecting to win big, only to eventually find out that their efforts are wasted.
However, there is an upside; when a push occurs, the players return what they wagered without any added cost or loss – meaning all you have to do is move on and try again.
What Is a Free Bet Push in Blackjack?

When it comes to playing Blackjack, a “Free Bet Push” is an exciting way for players to increase their chances of winning.
This term describes when the player and dealer tie their hands – either both having 21 or equal values.
The result is a “push” – neither side wins or loses, but the casino gives you something extra by allowing you to keep your original bet plus get one free bet as if they had won (even though no chips changed hands).
In some versions of Blackjack, this free-play option may even be extended multiple times in case of further ties with the dealer.
As such, Free Bet Pushes can add more excitement and potential profits to each round that you play!
How to Deal With a Push in Blackjack?
If you’ve been playing Blackjack for any length of time, chances are you have experienced a push.
A “push” occurs when the total value of your hand equals that of the dealer.
This means no one wins, and nobody loses either. So how do you deal with a push in blackjack?
The first thing to remember is not to get frustrated or discouraged if this happens on occasion; it is part and parcel of the game!
Instead, use it as an opportunity to learn more about yourself as a player and practice different strategies for dealing with pushes in blackjack.
One way to manage a push in Blackjack is by doubling down if your hands match but yours has higher card values than the dealer’s (for example if both have 17 but yours has an Ace).

In this case, doubling down gives you extra money towards pushing which can help increase your advantage over the house edge.
If your cards also contain like numbers (such as two 8s), then splitting them may be wise so that each hand stands separate from one another – giving you twice the chance at winning even though both parties have equal totals!
In addition, understanding when it might make sense to surrender can be beneficial during some types of pushes.
For instance, if you have a 16 and the dealer has an Ace, it might be wise to surrender your hand rather than push to minimize potential losses.
Finally, it is important to use pushes as learning opportunities – analyzing different scenarios that could occur when playing with multiple hands or betting strategies such as doubling down.
By doing so, you can gain valuable insight into how best to beat the house edge and increase your chances of winning!
Strategies for Handling a Push in Blackjack
When it comes to playing Blackjack, understanding the concept of a push is essential for success.

To minimize your losses when pushing happens in Blackjack, here are some strategies that you can use:
- Accept Your Losses When Pushing: The best thing to do if you find yourself in a situation where there is no clear winner after comparing hands is simply to accept that sometimes things don’t go your way and move on to the next round. This will help prevent things from getting any worse than they already are!
- Play Aggressively After Pushing: As soon as you have accepted that pushers happen, now it’s time to start playing more aggressively with future hands. With every pusher out of the way, chances are higher that you’ll be able to win big in future rounds so take advantage of this opportunity!
- Utilize Split Strategy: If you’re dealt two cards that equal each other (e.g., two 8s or two Jacks) you can opt to split them to increase your chances of winning. This is a great way to ensure that the pusher isn’t too much of a setback, as splitting will give you better odds of walking away with something after all.
- Take Insurance: When playing Blackjack, it’s important to consider taking insurance on some occasions. Having insurance means that if the dealer has blackjack and you don’t, then at least you’re covered for some losses instead of suffering from a total loss due to a push situation.
By following these strategies for handling pushes in Blackjack, players can reduce their losses and maximize their chances of success when dealing with this common occurrence during gameplay!
Tips for Avoiding a Push in Blackjack
If you’re looking to become a master of the game and never end up in a tie situation, here are some tips on how to avoid pushing in Blackjack:
- Understand when your hand is strong enough that it won’t need to be pushed. The general rule is that if you have 17 or more, then you should stand; anything less than 17 and you should hit.
- Be aware of what cards have already been played. If all of the 10s are gone from the deck for example, then this raises your chances for making 21 without going over – so always keep track of what cards can no longer be drawn!
- Calculate the probability of receiving certain hands when deciding whether or not to hit. Knowing your odds will help prevent stupid decisions like trying for 18 with two 8s instead of standing at 16.
- Read up on strategy charts which can give specific advice about whether or not to hit/stand depending on your current hand/the card showing from the dealer’s deck etc. Strategy charts provide an easy reference guide that can save time and lead to better decision-making throughout each round!
How to Recover From a Push in Blackjack?
If you’re playing a game of Blackjack and someone calls it a “push,” it can be an intimidating experience.
But don’t give up! Here are some tips on how to recover from a push in Blackjack:
- Don’t panic: the most important thing is to remain calm and collected when dealing with a push. There’s no point in getting angry or frustrated as this will only make matters worse. Instead, take some time to understand what happened and work out your strategy for the next round.
- Analyze the situation: once you’ve had time to compose yourself, it’s important to think about why exactly the push occurred. Consider who pushed, and then look at your hand cards alongside theirs; was there any opportunity that could have been taken advantage of?
- Adjust your strategy accordingly: if there were indeed opportunities that weren’t utilized during playtime, adjust your strategy going forward so that similar scenarios don’t happen again in future rounds of play. Make sure you analyze all possible outcomes before placing bets so everyone can win!
- Have fun: Ultimately, remember that the purpose of playing blackjack is to have fun! So whether you win or lose (or even get into pushes), continue writing where you left off remember to enjoy the experience, and stay positive. After all, it’s just a game!
Final Thoughts
Blackjack is a fun and exciting game that can be enjoyed by players of all skill levels.
While luck plays a role, understanding the basics of the game and its terminology can help you make better decisions and increase your chances of success.
Push in blackjack occurs when both the player’s hand and the dealer’s hand end up with the same total value.
The result is neither a win nor a loss for either side; instead, it results in what’s called “push” which means that no money changes hands between the two parties involved.
With this knowledge at hand, practice playing blackjack online or at home to become more familiar with push situations so that you are well-prepared for when they arise during real games!
FAQs On What Is a Push in Blackjack
What Does a Push Mean in Blackjack?
In blackjack, a push occurs when both the player’s hand and the dealer’s hand end up with the same total value. This results in no money changing hands between either party – it is neither a win nor a loss for anyone involved.
How Often Does a Push Occur in Blackjack?
“Push” in blackjack occurs fairly often and typically happens between 10-20% of the time.
Is a Push Considered a Win or a Loss in Blackjack?
A push in blackjack is neither a win nor a loss for either side; instead, it results in what’s called “push” which means that no money changes hands between the two parties involved.
Can a Push Happen on Any Hand in Blackjack?
Yes, a push can happen on any hand in blackjack.
Can You Win Money on a Push in Blackjack?
No, you cannot win money on a push in blackjack as it is neither a win nor a loss for either side.
What Happens to the Bet in a Push in Blackjack?
In a push in blackjack, the bet is returned to both the player and the dealer without any money changing hands.
How Does a Push Affect the Outcome of a Blackjack Game?
A push in blackjack does not affect the outcome of a game as it results in no money changing hands between the two parties involved. As such, both player and dealer simply retain their original stakes.
Is There a Way to Avoid a Push in Blackjack?
No, there is no guaranteed way to avoid a push in blackjack. A push is an unavoidable outcome of the game and it can happen at any time regardless of how well you play.
How Do You Recover From a Push in Blackjack?
Recovering from a push in blackjack is simple: no money changes hands, so the player’s bet remains with them and they can place a new wager on the next hand.
Do Different Blackjack Variations Have Different Rules for a Push?
Yes, different blackjack variations have different rules for a push. For example, some versions may result in the player automatically winning when there is a tie between their hand and the dealer’s while other variants may give the house an edge in case of ties.