I have found, in my life (I will be 70 at the end of August) that playing against people who are better than I am, improves my game.
My daughter and I will play Scrabble when we are together at home (she lives in another State). She is a great Scrabble player and I have learned from her by being beaten and realizing that I have been missing opportunities in the past.
Watch and learn. When you watch how someone else is playing the board, and beating you, you can learn techniques to do the same next time you play.
Great example! Thanks for sharing.