Why you might want to check out your opponent's ELO score!

[Compass Rose]

Back when was a newbie and trying to learn to play a JTS/HPS series that was new to me, I would try to locate opponents who were not high the the ELO "Totem Pole".  Sometimes this worked, other times I got schooled and I got schooled bad.  However, as long as you pick up something new each game, you can learn from playing a highly rated opponent.



These days I currently have zero PBEM games going due to real life however, when I do find some time to play, I highly value my opponents friendship and the enjoyment I get when playing against them, more than I do their ELO score. 

Now, the only time I look at someone's ELO is when I am doing the End-of-Year Awards.