No doubt almost everyone would rather choose a win than a loss, but quietly losing $10 k might not seem so bad if its not going to upend your life.  No need to make a big fuss about it or let everyone know - it can just stay a private affair.  Sure, having an extra ten thousand dollars fall into your lap would be nice, but then youd probably have people coming out of the woodwork, expecting handouts or loans or something.  It would turn into a whole production.  Id rather keep the loss between me myself and I than have to manage all the headaches that a public windfall could bring.  This way, its a clean loss, no drama involved and  as far as financial hits go, Ill take the privacy over the spectacle anytime.