How do you spell ‘loser’?

Obstinacy has once again been the downfall of Sheldon Adelson. Rather than settle with Chinese businessman Richard Suen, Adelson went to trial not once, but twice (the first verdict having been overturned). In 2008, a Clark County jury determined that Las Vegas Sands owed Suen $44 million — plus interest, for helping Adelson land a casino subconcession in Macao. Sands was able to get that verdict overturned on procedural grounds by the Nevada Supreme Court. So a retrial was held … and Adelson lost even bigger than before. True, Suen’s case — as described in the local papers — was shaky and there were a lot of corny theatrics from the Adelson camp. But the end result was a $70 million award (plus interest) against Adelson. The jurors didn’t even have to reach a unanimous verdict but they did. Now, Sands could pay something to Suen to make this go away. But, oh no. That would be too prudent and expeditious.  According to one of Jon Ralston‘s sources, Adelson would appeal even if Suen had only been awarded one dollar. Pride goeth before a fall and, for Sheldon, that’s doubly true. This case could be re-tried until the cows come home and Adelson would lose over and over again. But Sands’ (read: Adelson’s) inability to move on ensures that it will be litigating with Suen for years to come in a hellish spin cycle driven by ego.