This College Grad Turned Almost $13 Into $270K With an NHL Bet
Most college grads start their post-degree life hunting jobs or figuring out rent. Drew Hirschman decided to throw $13 at fate instead. His wildly ambitious sports parlay nearly paid him over a quarter of a million dollars. He didn’t win it all, but what followed was a tense, strange, and very 2020s rollercoaster in betting culture.
His story caught attention for how close he came, and what it says about modern betting habits and sportsbook marketing. Let’s learn more.
How a Sports Parlay Bet Actually Works
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A parlay combines multiple individual bets into one. Every part must win; if even a single pick loses, the entire bet fails. The more picks included, the higher the potential payout, but also the lower the probability. Hirschman’s bet multiplied his initial $13 wager by combining longshot champions and drastically increasing potential winnings, but dramatically reducing the odds of success.
He Wagered On Five Champions Across Five Leagues
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Hirschman placed a five-leg bet across different sports, each with its own season, odds, and variables. He backed the Dodgers (MLB), Liberty (WNBA), Eagles (NFL), Thunder (NBA), and Oilers (NHL).
Why These Five Teams? Inside Hirschman’s Logic
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Each team that Hirschman chose had reasoning behind it. The Dodgers had strong preseason odds, the Eagles were gaining momentum with a stacked roster, and the Liberty had signed key players. The Thunder were his biggest NBA gamble due to rising young talent, while the Oilers seemed due after years of playoff heartbreak. His picks combined calculated risks with educated hunches.
The Panthers Snapped His Payout Streak
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The final leg depended on the Oilers winning the Stanley Cup. Instead, the Florida Panthers ended that dream. Every other outcome hit, which made that final loss sting harder. Had Edmonton won, Hirschman would’ve walked away with about $270,000 on a $13 bet.
He Nearly Let It Ride, Then Chose to Hedge
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At first, Hirschman thought about riding the bet to the end. But with everything riding on one hockey game, he hedged by placing a large bet on the Panthers through his dad’s account. It was a last-minute switch that saved him between $75,000 and $90,000, despite the loss.
DraftKings Offered Big Cash-Outs He Refused
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As the parlay progressed, DraftKings offered multiple early payouts, ranging from $30,000 to a peak of $107,000. Hirschman declined each one and instead preferred to either win the full $270,000 or ensure a backup plan through hedging. It became a high-stakes waiting game.
The Odds Were Absurdly Against Him
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His +2,082,680 parlay odds meant the statistical chance of winning was near zero. Such longshots are attractive precisely because they promise life-changing payouts for pocket change. But they almost never hit. Hirschman came shockingly close, so his story is rare even among gamblers.
Hedge Bets Like This Are Legally Murky
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Hedging isn’t banned, but it gets tricky when involving different accounts or coordination. Hirschman used his father’s betting account to place the hedge, which may bend the terms of service, but isn’t a legal issue. It’s a gray area some sportsbooks choose not to confront directly.
A Big Chunk Will Go to Taxes
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Winnings from bets are fully taxable under U.S. law. Hirschman’s haul could face federal withholding, plus possible state taxes. The IRS treats gambling income as regular income. Unless expenses or losses are formally documented, tax bills on such wins can be significant.
Social Media Turned It Into an Event
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Once people found out about his bet, Hirschman’s updates gained traction. Strangers followed his posts and watched the NHL Finals to see the outcome. His $13 wager turned into a shared suspense story that briefly drew attention away from the game itself.
His Bet Was Almost Forgotten Until Late
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Placed in June 2024, the ticket sat unnoticed for months. Hirschman only remembered it again once most of the legs had hit. By then, the public had picked it up. The parlay’s deep odds made it a longshot from the start, so he hadn’t expected to track it so closely.
Sportsbooks Profit From These Bets Regardless
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For every publicized win, there are thousands of losses. Parlays generate heavy profit margins for sportsbooks. The rare story that makes headlines functions like marketing by encouraging users to replicate a scenario that’s unlikely to repeat.
He Plans to Invest, Not Splurge
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Despite the sudden windfall, Hirschman doesn’t plan to spend big. He mentioned putting most of it toward investments and saving the rest. The thrill of the bet came from the process, not the payout alone. For him, the money might help, but the experience won’t be repeated.
Other Famous Hedge Wins That Made Headlines
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Drew Hirschman’s bet wasn’t the first to inspire a hedge. Mattress Mack is probably the most famous hedger as he routinely bets millions on Houston teams and places counter-bets to protect his furniture store promos. In 2022, he won $75 million on the Astros after hedging across multiple sportsbooks. In 2021, a bettor turned a $25 NFL futures parlay into a six-figure hedge opportunity by cashing out smartly before the final leg. Hedge wins rarely get this public.
His Story Triggered Responsible Gambling Discussions
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Gambling support organizations used Hirschman’s story as a cautionary tale to promote responsible betting. Rather than condemning his actions, they emphasized the importance of hedging strategies, moderation, and knowing when to cash out.