Skip to content

What Does Push Mean in Blackjack? Rules and Scenarios Explained

Business man with playing cards
Le Club Symphonie / Connect Images / Connect Images via AFP

What does push mean in blackjack? It’s a term you often may encounter if you’re playing blackjack games at BetUS or your local casino. So, what does it mean, and where does it come from?

Blackjack Push Terminology Meaning

Let’s start with a simple one: what does blackjack “push” slang mean? It’s basically a tie and likely stems from the fact that the dealer pushes the chips back to the player, returning their original stake. The actual etymology is not known, though.

Examples of a Push Hand in Blackjack

You are dealt a jack and a queen, giving you a solid hand of 20. The dealer shows a king as their upcard, and when you stand on 20, they reveal another picture card to match your 20. The game ends as a tie, also known as a push. The player neither wins nor loses; they simply get their stake back.

Is a Push Common in Blackjack?

It’s uncommon for a hand to end in a push, but not extremely rare. The scenario above is one of the most common times you will see a push. There are 16 cards worth ten points in every 52-card deck, so it’s not uncommon for two of these to be dealt at the same time, and with multiple decks in play, you will face situations where four of these cards split between the player and dealer.

Some Basic Rules to Know About a Push in Blackjack

If you’re playing a game of classic blackjack, there are a few simple things to keep in mind:

  • A push happens when the dealer and player have the same value at the end of a hand.
  • The hand will end in a push if both the player and dealer have a natural blackjack, which occurs when they make 21 from their first two cards.
  • The player’s stake is returned to them when a push is declared and the hand finishes.
  • If the player or game keeps track of wins/losses and streaks, the push will not count either way.

Do you still need help with some basic rules of blackjack? Check out our detailed blackjack guide to learn more and ensure you’re fully prepared to sit down at the blackjack table.

Strategies for a Push in Blackjack

There is no strategy for a push in blackjack. You tied the hand, and now it’s over. You can only accept the tie, take your money back, and move on. If you have a bankroll for the session or a budget for a specific number of hands, you may want to discount that hand and move on.

What Does Push 21 Mean in Blackjack?

A push 21 occurs when both the player and the dealer have a score of 21. This can happen when they both have a natural blackjack or get to 21 using several cards.

What Does Push 22 Mean in Blackjack?

A Push 22 is only used in a couple of blackjack variants and isn’t found in classic game variations. It occurs when the dealer’s hand busts with a score of 22, at which point all other active hands (currently under 21) push.

What are the Odds of a Hand Ending in a Push in Blackjack?

During a classic blackjack game, there is approximately an 8.5% chance that any hand will end in a push. The player has a nearly 50% chance of losing the hand, and the remaining percentage is their probability of success.

Of course, this only applies if the game is played perfectly, which most novice players don’t do. If you want to keep your chance of winning high, utilize basic blackjack strategy, a tried-and-tested blackjack strategy that instructs you to make certain moves based on the strength of your hand and the dealer’s upcard.

Essentially, basic blackjack strategy requires you to take a greater risk when the dealer’s hand is strong and they have a high probability of turning a big score. When the opposite is true, and the dealer’s hand is weak, the player can take more liberties, such as standing on a 16 or 17.

Summary: What Does Push Mean in Blackjack?

To summarize, a push in blackjack is when the player and the dealer both have the same score, and the hand ends in a tie. The player neither wins nor loses, and their stake is returned. In some blackjack variants, there is also a rule known as push 22, whereby all active players push when the dealer busts on 22.

Blackjack Common Queries

What happens when there is a push in blackjack?

The player will be given their chips back if the hand ends in a push. If multiple players are active at the table, their wagers will be settled independently. So, if Player 1 has 20, Player 2 has 19, Player 3 has 18, and the Dealer has 20, Player 1 will be given back their stake while Players 2 and 3 will lose the hand.

How is a push different from winning or losing in blackjack?

If you win a hand of blackjack, you will be paid something — whether a 1:1 payout for a straightforward win or a 3:2 payout for a natural blackjack. If you lose, your chips are scooped up by the dealer. With a push, neither happens, and your opening wager is simply returned to you.

Does a push result in a loss of your bet in blackjack?

No, a push is a tie so that you will be given back your money. It’s worth noting, however, that this doesn’t usually affect side bets. If you have any of these wagers active, they will be settled according to the rules of the specific bet. It is possible to both win and lose side bets when your standard blackjack hand ends in a push.

In which situations does a push occur in blackjack?

A push happens when the player and dealer have the same score. This can occur when they draw to the same score after hitting several cards and when they both have a natural blackjack.

What are the odds of getting a push in blackjack?

There is roughly an 8.5% chance that any blackjack hand will end in a push.

Related Tags

Blackjack

Did you find this article interesting?

Comments (0)