Written by :
Published on :
Everyone's favorite sports bettor, Jim McIngvale, better known as "Mattress Mack", was involved in an altercation after World Series Game Three in Philadelphia and late night comedian Jimmy Kimmel made the Houston area furniture store owner owner part of his Wednesday night monologue.
Monday's game was postponed due to rain.
"So they played last night (Tuesday) and the Phillies clobbered the Astros," Kimmel said. "They beat them 7 to none. Tough loss. And nobody took that harder than a colorful local furniture salesman known as 'Mattress Mack'. One of these guys on TV selling mattresses."
Kimmel continued. "Mack bet $10 million on the Astros to win the Series. And when the Phillies went up two-nothing in the first last night, he was none too pleased."
A video then appeared of everyone cheering except for one horrified man who stood up in an Astros shirt. And then there was "Mattress Mack", who remained seated and looked as if someone just drove over his pet cat.
Then the altercation came following the game.
We don't quite know what Mack was saying as much of it was bleeped out.
"In Philly, that's how you say 'hello'," Kimmel quipped.
Mack's payout will actually be a ‘record payout’ $75 million should his beloved team win the World Series.
Our own resident Philly fan (and resident of nearby Allentown, PA), Thomas Somach, has regularly interviewed McIngvale. We certainly look forward to learning more about what prompted the altercation. Phillies fans like Somach can be quite rabid for sure.
McIngvale last year bet the Astros and lost when Atlanta walked away with the World Series title. Well, maybe he didn't lose per se. Last year's wager, we should note, was a hedge.
“In the past year I have sold 4,000 mattresses at $3,000 each," Mack told Somach during the 2021 World Series. "If the Astros win the World Series, every one of those mattress buyers will be refunded the full amount, which will be a total of about $12 million. After paying that out, it will leave a little bit of pocket change for me.
“In brick and mortar retail these days we are threatened by Amazon and other online dealers,” he continued. “We have to do something that makes us relevant.
“Giving the customer a chance to get their money back on a popular sports promotion has been a great way to increase interest in our store and get a lot of buzz. I’ve gotten a lot of media buzz on the futures bet so it’s working right now.”
This year will be no different in terms of the "win-win" scenario for Mattress Mack.
Most of his big wagers are placed across state lines at the nearest Louisiana retail sportsbook operated by Caesars. Sports betting is not yet legalized in his home state of Texas.
Ken Fuchs, head of sports at Caesars Entertainment, explained how Mack's business hedge is "a different angle than anyone has ever seen before" in an interview with ESPN.
The more furniture he sells through his business' current World Series promotion, the more McIngvale wagers on the Astros.
"He's laying off the risk with these wagers, covering one big loss with one big win," senior reporter for Vegas Insider, Patrick Everson, tells ESPN. "It's kind of a genius business move, really. And, clearly, he's got the money to lose. He's not losing any sleep at all."
"Mattress Mack" is more than just a spectator or a gambler. Decades ago, he was one of the guys on the field. But in typical McIngvale fashion, he had to be playing on one of the Lone Star State's greatest teams.
McIngvale was part of the 1969 and 1970 Texas Longhorns football squads that won 30 straight games and two back-to-back championships.
His love of sports isn't necessarily what led him to start gambling big on the games.
He tells The Sun in regard to his penchant for placing big bets: "I just get bored to death with stability, which is why I guess I like all of these big bets.
"I thrive on chaos."
Thus far, the 2022 World Series is turning into a nail biter. At the time of publication, Thursday November 3, the series was all tied up 2-2.
- Don Shapiro, Gambling911.com
