Home game tonight

[Pavashotty]

In regards as to why you would want to play against fairly strong players, there is a very simple reason for this. When your deep in tourneys or playing in events above your buy in range (whether your staked satellited in or fancy a punt at a one off hit) You're going to want to feel comfortable playing against this exact sort of player, this gives you the opportunity to brush up on your play and also execute gain some bragging rights.
A sportsman for example can be the best player going in his division for years however if he doesn't constantly push himself to try and improve and try and move to a bigger team to play against the best this player will never be better than the standard he plays at. He moves to a bigger club with better players not only is he learning in training but he learning in every game he plays and allows himself to develop to his full potential.

[Poker Orifice]

I have only one "problem" with this. If my actual friends are online, I talk to them via AIM or similar. The ones who play poker are better than the fish I find at the low stakes where I play. A table made up of my friends who play online poker is a murderers' row compared to what I see on the nickel and dime tables. Why in the world would I play against (fairly) strong players when I can find fish anywhere?

Because it's fun!
Because playing against strong players is a good way to get better.

And this applies to both points above > 'meta game' (ie. vs. friends who are good players I might 3bet & 4bet light more often).

[fndrbndr79]

Fun, I'll grant. However, it's poor bankroll management if you're playing at meaningful stakes. Of course, I have one thing that a lot of people don't. My family poker games are a LOT tougher than the $1/2 NLH games down at the dog track, and those games are free, just for the aforementioned fun factor.

I'm also not the only person who thinks this. Mike Caro is with me (see Super System II), and I'm sure there are others. It also helps that I'm playing more cash games right now, so I don't end up in stakes higher than I'm comfortable.

[thejudge]

I'm also not the only person who thinks this. Mike Caro is with me (see Super System II), and I'm sure there are others.

I thought Doyle wrote SuperSystem 1 and 2?

[Assistanc3]

I thought Doyle wrote SuperSystem 1 and 2?

you'd be wrong

I do agree with fndrbndr79, or just disagree with Poker Orfice. w/e same thing right

[Poker Orifice]

you'd be wrong

I do agree with fndrbndr79, or just disagree with Poker Orfice. w/e same thing right

So then you're suggesting that playing vs. better players won't help one to improve one's game? Cuz that is just laughable (note.. OP has no mention of playing highstakes... & BRM issues, etc... that's a point brought up afterwards by another poster.. the one you've mentioned here along with mine).

Could you please explain Assistanc3? Can you explain to me how playing vs. better players will not help one to improve upon their game?

[paula_30]

For me. its better to play with pro because you can learn from them along the way. its a challenge to beat them so you will be motivated to win.