There's no question that "luck" plays a major factor in one's success at poker. However, I still believe (regardless of the incredible suckouts I lose to night in and night out) that "skill" overwhelmingly determines whether you're a winning player or not.
Online Poker allows us to experience "luck" firsthand, due to the amount of suckouts you consistently see. In fact, I was final 3 in a $10 buy-in the other night, and was eliminated all-in (my opponent raised me enough pre-flop to put me all-in) 3rd with K's against 9 5! Of course you can't get much luckier than that, but I take pride in the fact that I win that hand 90% of the time.
However, it didn't make me any happier knowing this fact when I lost, or that this person ended up winning the overall tournament because of it. I'd still take "skill" over "luck" anyday! |