playing devil's advocate

[nuni]

Dear friends,

I am reading a book now but I don't understand the meaning of this sentence and phrase:
1. ... he wanted to raise enough money to strategically out-advertise the competition.
2. ... playing devil's advocate to see where the arguments would lead. (especially the words 'playing devil's advocate')

Please help me and thank you for your help.

[Josef]

If you play devil's advocate in a discussion, you put the opposite view or opinion, even if you don't believe it, to provoke a response or test the strength of your colleague's argument.