What is a Push in Blackjack?

As a new player at the blackjack table, you will quickly learn about the goal of getting as close to 21 as possible without going over. You’ll also learn about winning, losing, and getting a blackjack. But sometimes, a hand ends without a winner or a loser this is a "push."

A push is a fundamental concept in blackjack, and understanding it is key to knowing exactly what's happening at the table.

What is a Push?

In simple terms, a push is a tie in blackjack.

It's a stalemate between you and the dealer, where neither of you wins or loses the hand. When a push occurs, your original bet is simply returned to you. The hand is over, and you move on to the next one. This is why a push is also sometimes called a "stand-off."

How Does a Push Happen?

A push occurs when the final total of your hand is the exact same as the final total of the dealer's hand. This can happen with a variety of hand values:

Matching Hand Totals: You and the dealer both end the hand with the same total, from 17 to 20.

• Example: Your hand is a 10 and a 9 (total 19), and the dealer's hand is a King and a 9 (total 19). The hand is a push.

  
  

Blackjack Push: This is a special type of push that occurs when both you and the dealer are dealt a natural blackjack on the initial two cards.

• Example: You are dealt a Jack and an Ace, and the dealer is dealt a Queen and an Ace. Both hands are blackjacks, resulting in a push.

A Step-by-Step Example of a Push

Let's walk through a hand to see exactly how a push plays out:

1. Placing Bets: You place your bet on the table.

2. Card Dealing: You are dealt a 10 and a 7 (total 17). The dealer's upcard is a Queen (10), and their hole card is a 7 (total 17).

3. Your Turn: You have a hard 17, so you correctly choose to stand on your hand.

4. Dealer's Turn: The dealer reveals their hole card. Their total is 17. According to house rules, they must stand on their 17.

5. Determine the Outcome: Your final hand total (17) is the same as the dealer's final hand total (17). The hand is declared a push, and the dealer returns your original bet.

Push Probabilities Breakdown

While the exact numbers can vary based on the number of decks and other rules, here's a general breakdown of the likelihood of a push by hand total:

• Drawing 20: Approximately 2.5%

• Drawing 19: Approximately 1.5%

• Drawing 21: Approximately 2.3%

• Drawing 18: Approximately 0.7%

• Drawing 17: Approximately 0.5%

• Natural Blackjack: Approximately 0.23%

As you can see, a hand value of 20 is the most likely to decide a tie, while two naturals are the least likely to end up in a tie. Although not drastically, the probability of a push in blackjack is affected by different aspects which you may take into account:

• The number of decks. The probability of a push changes depending on how many decks in blackjack there are. Generally, fewer decks mean a (slightly) higher probability of a push.

• Hitting on soft 17. The dealer's rule to hit on soft 17 marginally increases the odds of a draw.

• Sticking to basic strategy. Knowing when to hit on soft 17 or stand on 12 may decrease the odds of a draw. Although you are the maker of your own game, learning the basic blackjack strategy chart can go a long way.

What a Push Means for Your Bet

The most important thing to know about a push is what happens to your money.

When you push, the dealer will take no action on your bet and will simply return the chips to you. Your bankroll remains unchanged, and you neither gain nor lose money on that hand.

The "Push 22" Rule: A Warning

While a push is normally a neutral outcome, you should be aware of a very rare and highly unfavorable rule found in some blackjack variants, most notably "Free Bet Blackjack" and "Blackjack Switch."

In games with a "Push 22" rule, the dealer's hand totaling 22 is considered a push instead of a bust. This is a highly disadvantageous rule for the player, as it drastically increases the house edge. If you ever see a game with a "Push 22" rule, our advice is to simply walk away and find another table.

Conclusion

A push is a common outcome in blackjack, and it’s a normal part of the game’s rhythm. It has a significant impact on the game's overall flow because it's a non-outcome. A push is nothing to worry about—it's just a tie. When it happens, your money is returned, and you get to play again.