Originally posted by Faroth
Because the plan was for Dooku to lose. Palpatine had promised him mercy once he'd purposely lose to Anakin. If he'd wanted to, Dooku could've beaten Anakin. Did you see how Dooku's face had turned when Palpatine said "Kill him."? It was a suprised look that said "WTF? You said I'd live, damn you!"
You know, I love how people take the ROTS novel that so many people dismiss as bullshit over Lucas's own words. I'll say it again, ROTS Audio Commentary, during the Dooku duel.