[onyx]

Not to fan flames, but don't you think Tom's actions are completely consistent...... with those of a gambler?

From the "Seabiscuit" analogy to the casino money to the denial of polling facts, he still insists it's a long shot he can win.

What a keen observation!

[b9]

One more addition to that thought:

Telling Issa and others that he wouldn't be a spoiler
if it looks like he can't win was probably not a lie at all, because a gambler ALWAYS thinks he'll win, by some
miracle, and is dumbfounded when it doesn't work out.