[Skuzzy]

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I've found an interesting dynamic develops as well. After we've been playing for two hours or so, the table will go from 7-8 players to 3-4 players. The kids left will be much better players and the game will get harder.

I'm usually up a few bucks or more by the time we get shorthanded. Should I keep playing with the better players and improve or cut my losses? I think it might be worth it to sacrifice some edge to learn how to be a better player.

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There are certain truths in poker that are harder to integrate and believe than others. The money in poker comes from the bad players and flows to the good players, the good players know that they must isolate the weak and attack them to win. You seemed to 'get' this yet deny the truth of it for the sake of 'improving'. The real epiphany is when you realise that the 'improvement' comes from seeing the fish leave and leaving with them and their money. This is key to being profitable at poker. Improving so you can beat tougher games is a fools goal. You improve at cash game poker by not playing tougher games, the winner is and always will be the guy who makes the highest EV decisions, and not putting your bankroll in high risk situations is +EV

I used to stay in games to prove I was the best. But ring games are not the place for this - if you need to prove someting play tournaments.

Just a thought.

To OP: well played sir!