Earlier quoted context omitted.
Sounds like they were not leveraged. Any idiot can make super high leveraged bets that will wipe them out if they don't pay off. Your comment suggests a lack of understanding of risk. Max risk of 200k for 17m payoff is VERY impressive.
It depends on the odds of it working, of course. 200k/17m is 1.2%, so any idiot can arrange a bet which pays of 17m with 1.2% probability with at most 200k at risk.
Re: A Tiny Hedge Fund Made 8,600% on a Vix Bet
#121Of course they can. My comment was in context of the parent. Suggesting 8600% return isn't that impressive is ludicrous and ignores the downside. Comparing this bet to ultra-leveraged bets is silly.