Before you call the game retarded, please try to get the explanations for your questions.

In level 1, your Cup will be against other level 1 teams only. After that, you can be placed in a Cup of any level, and play against teams of any level. Were you drawn into a Cup with a higher level friend?

I'm not sure whether you mean 1.5m or 1.5k when you say 1.5kk, but either way, either you or your friend is playing in a higher level Cup, so one of you gets more money, but will probably get knocked out earlier.