IMO The reason we all played played play money games in the beginning is the same reason we would play xbox or playstation; for FUN... For me this is still the main reason i play poker for money, i think alot of players have lost sight of this in their race to get rich, for me winning money is more of a bonus than a goal.
I also believe that play money games can be a good way try out new software, game varieties and tactics without any risk. OK fair enough you will get alot of ATC merchants who will happily shove with 7 2o, but TBH alot of the time, things aren't much better on the real money tables. And i'd much rather meet these shaven monkeys at a play money table or in a freeroll than in a tournament that i've payed $109 to get into...
I think a great compromise between the two are freerolls, in which you can win a small reward without risking any of your hard earned cash. Even if you only win a few cent, out of small acorns grow mighty oaks. I myself started playing freerolls about a year ago and haven't looked back since.
Now, i'm not rich by any means, but i play poker almost every day, without ever having deposited a penny. Full tilt &
pokerstars have bankrolled my favourite hobby; poker. I haven't hit the big time, but poker has made the struggle to make ends meet a bit easier. Full tilt have helped me make morgage payments and sent me on holiday....
You can't tell me play money, or more to the point freerolls are a waste of time. There's my two cents anyway.
change instances of free poker into a link to https://www.cardschat.com/strategy/free-online-poker-game/