You would think Britons, as sports lovers and great believers in fairness and sportsmanship, would share my disdain for cheap tricks like an "invincible wand", but apparently not Harry (on Voldemort's part I can't say it's a surprise).

When I first read the book, I was convinced (until well after that theory had ceased to be plausible, I have the bad habit of doing that) that the Elder Wand would prove to be exactly what it seemed like - a lame story, real or not, but with no real importance for the actual plot of the series. After all, what with our long-established rule of Harry Being Wrong, and his obsession with the topic in the chapter "The Deathly Hallows" against Hermione's and Ron's better judgement, it would've made a lot of sense. But noooo, she has to go and actually mean it seriously.