I'm still a little fuzzy on the "quality of education" concept, so let me say it this way.... In general, when one who holds himself out as having market knowledge to sell in one form or another.... "has done well enough, long enough, and with enough money" to be considered significant by others, only then will he be taken seriously.
And so while Trader A, to whom $10K is "a lot of money" and Trader B with $1MM at risk produce the same return and might be considered equal.... Trader A won't be taken seriously for obvious reasons.
And it could be that Trader A is sharp as a tack but just early in his career... could be several other things, too. Trader B with $1MM, however, is perceived as having done better, for longer, and under more money pressure... and is therefore likely more reliable for having survived to achieve $1MM.
Whether or not $10K is "a lot of money" to someone, the perception is that the possible loss on a large portion of $1MM carries a much greater consequence to somebody... and is therefore considered differently than the possible loss of $10K.
And for these same reasons, putting up only $15K in a contest wouldn't carry much weight, regardless of the return. (Someone to whom $15K could be pissed away without consequence could take fliers on options and whatnot... get mostly lucky and have a high return for a year.)
