I can honestly say I've never had difficulties with a patch either at home or on the side of the road, as long as the cause of the flat isn't still in the tyre. Back in the day I "used" to be able to do a three minute patch-and-go, never taking the tyre or tube completely off. My fine motor skills have suffered since.

If you don't gamble you can't lose. One vice I'm happy never took with me, though I have played a few games of pool for money.