First let me compliment you for a very thoughtful post, that really deserves many responses with varying opinions.
A professional and most very serious, and knowledgeable players, "if they are what they claim to be" are never chasing money, "that is in the past tense, water over the dam" he/she understands all off the different variables they will encounter. They trust the math, and their skill, are not superstitious, and deal with any and all situations logically. Why the hell not, they play like a well oiled machine, whose primary concerns are, to make sure they are not being cheated, heat, conditions, and their current physical readiness.
No two people are the same, subsequently there will be exceptions to every different category, and ultimately nature takes its natural course. Because you are right there is a very fine line that separates the two groups.
Bookmarks