If given the choice, many players would rather be considered the most technically skilled than the luckiest. Skill implies control, mastery, and respect from peers, while luck is often seen as fleeting and external. Even if skill does not always guarantee victory, it does suggest long-term consistency and personal achievement.
A player's ego often values recognition, especially in competitive or creative environments where identity and status matter. However, profitability provides a pragmatic counterbalance: sustained success and rewards over time are more likely to validate skill. Ultimately, the strongest players strive to balance both—seeking recognition for their abilities while understanding that true mastery is demonstrated not by occasional victories, but by consistent, repeatable results that translate into long-term gains.
