Fred is correct, that in the long run, skill (along with patience) will outweigh luck. That does not, however, necessarily apply to any individual game, tournament, session, day, week or even years.

But it also depends upon who you ask and when you ask him. As an example, if you would have asked me a couple of Saturdays ago when I came in 1st place in a satellite game of 295 entrants, I would have told you that it was mainly skill that won it. If on the other hand you asked my on the next day (Sunday) when I was entered into the $650.00 satellite and got bounced out 123rd, I would have told you the game was mainly all luck.

I forgot just who was involved, but last night on the Chipboard final game, one player went all in with pocket aces and another had pocket kings. The 3rd king came on the flop. (wired pair, btw, will flop a set 11.8% of the time.) Who had the most skill here?

Here are some other odds you might want to memorize if your a serious player.

A person hold AK will flop an A or a K 32.4% of the time.

Two suited cards make a flush 6.5% of the time.

Two suited cards flops a flush 0.8% of the time.

Two suited cards flops a four-flush 10.9% of the time.

Two unmatched cards will flop 2 pair 2.2% of the time.

Remember that 60% of the board is shown on the flop and that the person with the best starting hands usually has the best chance of winning the pot.

Being that I didn't even qualify to play in last night game, I am the last person to give an answer as to which is more important--luck or skill-- so I will leave that to the experts.

Another axiom one may wish to follow. If your going to chase, make sure its a women and not cards.