In 1990, McHenry went 9-0 in the regular season only to draw undefeated NIC-9 champion ... McHenry’s run of bad luck continued in being paired against probably the toughest No. 8 seed in all ...

Then there’s another factor, also important and beyond their control: the luck of the draw. The careers of young Americans Ryan Harrison and Christina McHale show what a difference luck can make.

Some days, Mr. Morelo fills an entire stretch of sidewalk with bad luck anemones, leaving only a small path between them. Or he may draw one huge bad luck sinkhole, right where skateboarders gather.