I can only speak for myself Steve, But I think you play a tournament to win. If you want to play a game for fun, or to get experience, tournaments are not the place. Tournaments are for winning.

Thats why I suggested flights.... all players between 1700 to 2000 for example.... I know people make mistakes etc, but no one ranked at 2600 is going to lose to someone ranked 1500.
BUt there are also games with more luck involved ie battleboats, and backgammon, where most people feel like they at least have a chance to win.