Comment by gchamonlive

> You've won the lottery, but you don't want to acknowledge that you won the lottery.

Yes, but where does this drive come from?

I haven't the faintest idea, however we can extrapolate from some facts.

One fact is that they have a lot of money. Duh... But also money is the key metric to measure success, so a lot of other people flock around those who have money so that it rubs a bit off of them, that Midas touch.

Suddenly these ultrawealthy are surrounded by an endless wave of gold diggers. The immediate thing that follows is flatter, and then echo chamber.

Now imagine that goes for years and years. Slowly this metaphorical richy's whole world views -- and also how he view himself, his identity and his relationship with the things around him -- gets tied absolutely to that notion that he is right.

For this imaginary person, losing a game isn't just am innocent loss anymore. It's a direct question of his own identity.

I think this explains a lot, but I'm not psychologist so it's just a wild guess.