Houston Icon Jim McIngvale famously known as “Mattress Mack” made history again by placing a TWO MILLION DOLLAR bet on the Houston Astros to win the 2021 MLB World Series. The 70-year old’s absolute WHALE of a bet would pay out $22 million! According to William Hill, the sportsbook that took on McIngvale’s wager in Indiana on Tuesday, June 22nd, if the Astros win Mattress Mack would have the biggest payout in U.S. sports betting history! This bet adds on to the other $1.35 million he has already bet on the Astros at other sportsbooks around the country. If the Astros win the pennant, Mack will be laughing his way to the bank with a cool $30 mil!

The Astros are sitting atop the league with the best record in the American League at 48-29. They also have the highest run differential in the entire league with 438 runs scored and only 298 runs allowed. With the Astros riding a hot streak over the past few weeks Mattress Mack should be feeling pretty confident. With 85 games left in the 162 game season the Astros have the current 3rd best odds to win the World Series. The Los Angeles Dodgers have the best odds at +350 with the Chicago White Sox in 2nd place at +700 odds.

Who is Mattress Mack?

Mattress Mack after a big win
Photo Credits: Houston Chronicle

Mattress Mack made his fortune selling furniture as the owner and CEO of Gallery Furniture in Houston, Texas. Gallery Furniture started in 1981 where he sold furniture outside in the Texas heat to new people moving into Houston; From there the company has turned into a $300 million business. Mack is a household icon in Houston, known for his great commercials, catchy slogan, and incredible philanthropic ventures. Over the years Mattress Mack has opened his store doors for Houstonians in need when tragedy strikes. In 2005, for Hurricane Katrina, in 2017 for Hurricane Harvey, and in 2021 for the blackouts caused by the massive Texas freeze, he has welcomed people to stay in his store if they are without shelter or power. At the end of 2020, Gallery Furniture gave 30 homes worth of furniture to families in Houston going through a hard time.

Mattress Mack hedges more than a gardener

Another thing Mattress Mack is known for is unique promotional deals he runs at his furniture stores. Throughout the year for the certain sporting events, such as the Super Bowl, the World Series, and the NCAA March Madness tournament, Gallery Furniture will run promotions that say:

“Spend $3,000 on furniture and if the Astros win the 2021 World Series you get your money back!”.

Mattress Mack runs these promo deals as a way to sponsor and hedge these massive sports bets he makes. By offering these deals, Gallery Furniture gets massive amounts of publicity and people are more enticed to come in to buy furniture. Mack then places these multimillion-dollar bets on the teams in the promotion as a way to hedge out of losing money if he is forced to give back the money his customers spent. Mack has a laundry list of huge bets he’s made over the past few years.

Mattress Mack’s Million Dollar Betting History

He placed a $3.46 million bet on the Tampa Bay Bucs +3.5 points against the Chiefs in Super Bowl 55. That bet cashed easily with the Buccaneers winning 31-9 which meant a nice $2.75 million profit the Mattress man.

Mack lost $2.4 million betting on the 2021 Kentucky Derby favorite “Essential Quality” that closed at 5-2 odds.

He placed a $1 million wager at 9-1 odds on the Houston Cougars to win the NCAA men’s basketball tournament in 2021. His potential $9 million payout was cut short in the Final Four when they lost to the Baylor Bears 78-59.

Lastly, Mack estimated he lost around $13 million between different bets he placed on the Astros to win the 2019 World Series. Sadly the Washington Nationals put a stop to Mattress Mack getting his payday!

As a Houstonian myself,

Mattress Mack has a special place in my heart and I have countless fond memories of seeing his commercials on TV where he always promised to “SAVE YOU MONEY!”, so when stories like these come up I can’t help but root for the guy! The ‘Return of the Mack’ into the sports betting scene with this giant $2.2 million Astros future bet is a storyline I will be following all season long. In an interview with Bleacher Report, he has even said that he isn’t done betting on the Astros to win it all! He wants to get to a payout of FIFTY. MILLION. DOLLARS! I wish the Astros and Mattress Mack all the luck in the world in their journey to the World Series.

Mattress Mack when the Astros win the World Series:

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Thank you for reading, I hope you enjoyed! You can find me on Twitter @Andrew_Winfield, while you’re there be sure to follow the main account @BellyUpSports! Lastly, check the Belly Up Sports home page for more content from us!

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