This isn't charity. Everybody plays for themselves, and just because someone thought this through and made a strategic choice (alongside with some sacrifices on other daily activities) he shouldn't be punished for this. On the contrary, he's being rewarded.

ICE never said to focus on piece of gear, so your argument is invalid. It's actually the best choice considering long term game, since with saving over those 1200 refines you get a lot of wish credit when upgrading at once. That wish credit you get when upgrading 6-max is worth like 500refines? If you failed to upgrade and make use of it- you can only blame yourself. As much as the system can * at some cases, its rules (however unfair they may seem to you) are plain and simple. And they apply to every player.

Nice guide ICE :-)