After watching some YouTube videos on poker....I have realized that most of the vids say that in order to win basically, you need to exploit your opponent(s)...this sounds great but won't this fail (EV-) , or equal out if your playing someone that's trying to exploit me at the same time....if me and a player are both plugging away at each others leaks in poker, then where do I go from here to get the upper edge?
Should I just realize what he's trying to exploit and counterattack that exploitation, but then again what if he's trying to do this to me since he thinks I am just trying to normally exploit his errors???? Do regular games in casinos and online have leveling matches like this or am I thinking way to deep about normal play in holdem? When should I use this thinking?
SHIP IT$$$$$$
Thanks, connor

How would I ever win a boxing match if me and my opponent are both punching each other?

You just answered your own question in your post OP, solid post above me ^

lol true.....just need to throw jabs but mix up my punches and think how hes gonna hit me next....poker is like a boxing match lol...sounds like something I could write about in English class.

If you play against equally-skilled opponents, and/or get into leveling wars, you both get knocked out by the rake. Focus on exploiting the fish.

Not only this but you waste too much mental energy thinking about your villain thinking about you thinking about villain etc...

More mental energy should be spent on other things that are way more important.

I try to avoid leveling wars whenever possible. However sometimes its not possible and thus I must devise an effective counter attack. This is particularly apparent in multiway pots with bad players.

And the winner is...

Multi-way pots with bad players are usually protected pots where straight-forward play bordering on weak-tight is often correct. The trickiness I employ in such pots is often under-representing my hand to induce action behind me.