[Lil' Lavery]

I can't really think of a game where strategy didn't play a huge roll.
As a driver/coach in several off-season events over the last two years, and with a subpar robot (well it was once it got the crap kicked out of it) in 2005, I can tell just how important strategy is. Which robots went for which goals, who played defense, zone defense vs. man-to-man, etc etc etc have all won and lost 116 matches during my membership on the team. Our better coordinated matches have tended to be victorious, while our "do what you can, Ill do what I can" matches have typically been losses. Even with teams like 173 on our alliance in 2005, we had a "let's just go out there and do what we can match" we managed to lose. Strategy is essential to victory.
I'd even surpass what was already mentioned, and say it is QUITE possible for an "average" bot to beat a "great" bot with proper strategy and driving.