“The best thing ever to happen to me”: How winning an AWP | Dragon Lore changed a CS2 fan’s life forever

While the pros battled it out at the BLAST.tv Austin Major 2025, thousands of fans tried their luck with Skin.Club’s Pick’Em Event, predicting match outcomes for a shot at legendary prizes. But for one lucky winner, it wasn’t just about getting it right — it was about winning one of the most iconic skins in CS history: the AWP | Dragon Lore.

We spoke to the winner about his picks, his emotions, and how a single skin is about to change everything for him.

I’m very shocked. I can’t even describe what I’m feeling.

When asked about how it felt to win, the response was pure emotion:

I’m very shocked, I can’t even describe what I’m feeling — the best thing ever to happen to me. This will change my life significantly and help my financial situation a lot. I feel very grateful. Thank you.

For him, the Dragon Lore is more than pixels on a screen. It’s a life opportunity:

I’ll probably sell it and buy a car, which I very desperately need. And use some of the money to get a good skin loadout — a pair of gloves and a knife, definitely.

The Strategy: Stats Over Emotion

Beating thousands of other entries in a Pick’Em challenge isn’t about luck — it’s about being smart. While many players fall into the trap of voting with their hearts, this winner took a different path. He focused on stats, form, map pools, and team synergy rather than fandom or hype. It’s a method that demands discipline and often means going against the crowd, even if it feels risky.

In my opinion, what helped me was not picking my favorite teams based on emotion but sticking to stats and facts.

Still, even the most data-driven strategy comes with its gambles. One of his boldest calls — Falcons going 3-0 — didn’t go as planned:

My riskiest prediction was Falcons going 3-0. I thought after their great performance before they could do it — but they ended up 0-3, which sucked.

Despite that miss, his overall approach proved solid, and it’s a reminder: in Pick’Em, a single wrong pick won’t ruin you — but emotional bias just might.

On Underdogs and Overrated Teams

It wasn’t just the right picks that led him to victory — it was understanding the story behind the teams. As the Major unfolded, he closely watched how squads adapted under pressure, and wasn’t afraid to change his view based on performance, not brand value.

When asked what went wrong for some of the fan-favorite teams, he pointed to a common issue — chemistry that never translated from theory to practice:

Falcons looked better on paper than in games. Their chemistry seemed off, especially in bigger matches — they were under pressure and made too many mistakes.”

At the same time, he gave credit where it was due. One of the biggest surprises of the Pick’Em was Virtus.pro, who stormed through the opening stage with an unexpected 3-0 run:

In my opinion, VP did really well and outperformed their expectations — going 3-0 was unexpected.

Spotting both flukes and flops is what separated his Pick’Em sheet from thousands of others — and proved that trusting performance over reputation pays off.

Why He Trusted Vitality

Even with doubts from the community about whether Vitality could keep up its momentum, he stayed firm:

I thought Vitality would win the whole Major due to the fact that they are currently playing very well, almost unstoppable. With such a winning streak and such momentum, it’s hard to stop any team — especially if they have such a great lineup. And ZywOo is just too good.

Before the Major, Vitality had won six consecutive tier-1 tournaments and remained undefeated in those events, boasting a 30-map win streak. They weren’t just favorites — they looked like inevitable champions.

Advice for the Community: “Copium is the real enemy”

When asked what the biggest mistake is in Pick’Em, he didn’t hesitate:

Picking their favourite teams to win. Copium.

It’s a lesson every Pick’Em player can relate to — but few are brave enough to follow through. Too often, fans let emotions cloud their judgment, choosing beloved teams instead of logical picks. Whether it’s hoping for a G2 miracle run, betting on NAVI out of nostalgia, or trusting a hometown roster, emotional bias is the downfall of many entries.

And it’s not just about picking favorites — it’s about ignoring form, overrating reputation, and underestimating underdogs. Real success in Pick’Em requires discipline: following the stats, tracking momentum, and knowing when to go against the crowd. As our winner proved, sometimes the hardest choice — leaving emotions behind — is the one that pays off.

More Than Just a Game

This story is a reminder that Pick’Em isn’t just about predictions — it’s about community, emotion, and once-in-a-lifetime moments. One lucky fan trusted the stats, kept a level head, and now walks away with a life-changing prize.

I hope the community stays and appreciates what you do — all the giveaways and events you do is amazing. Once again, thank you very much, Skin.Club.

Want to be next? Keep your eye on the next Pick’Em Event from Skin.Club — your Dragon Lore moment might be one click away.