JK,
I'm really confused where you're coming from on this. At first you seemed to imply that it's selfish to play hickories because you're not giving your friends your best. Then, in the last post, you seem to imply there's some intent to "con" people in a bet by playing hickories because they're easier to hit than most people think. Not really sure what you're driving at or if you think I'm being dishonest with myself.
How about this, I have an honest index by posting my hickory scores which reflects my ability with those. I maintain a separate honest index using my steels. I tell people both instead of giving them my steel index and conning them into giving me 10 extra (when I know my differential is probably closer to 5).
But strokes and beating people is least of my concerns. I play hickory because it feels great, helps my rhythm, and heightens the overall playing experience. It eludes me how it ever got mixed up with ideas of selfishness, conning, or not being honest with myself.
Perhaps I'm missing something in tone through written word.