What is a friend?
It is simply a person with whom you share some sort of bond or affection, but generally not of a sexual nature and not family.
As a result, my friends typically tend to be poker players. But I will also go out and play golf with some of them...or boardgames with others...but generally I play poker with all of them.
I do not get the "don't play poker with friends" point of view. That is exactly the sort of folks I want to play with. We can talk poker, on and off-table. We can do hand reviews and share intel... But there is never any long lasting bad feelings between us over poker. We are ALL playing to WIN...and each has a different approach. But as long as you aren't playing like a douchebag, a friendship should never be harmed by competition.
The problems come out when you start trash talking...or time-wasting...or looking at mucked cards...or slow rolling...or a myriad of other dick-moves. So don't do it. Treat people with respect and you can take their money all day.
If you like making friends playing poker, I suggest you join the Cards Chat League. There you'll come across the same 30 or so folks each week. You'll become familiar with each of their (ever-changing) styles...and the chat is easy and friendly.
I cannot wait for next season's league to start up and get to know a new bunch of players.
So, I cannot help but wonder that, if you cannot maintain a friendship and compete at the same time, one of you is probably a douchebag (e.g. a sore loser or a terrible winner). fix that bit...and there are millions of potential friends out there...
Cheers,
JT