McGoorty told a story, in Byrnes' book about him, about how he was losing a money match and took himself off to the restroom and had a few shots of booze. He came out and ended up winning the money. He said it was the worst thing that could have happened, because he convinced himself that he played better loaded.
If you've never read Byrnes' book about McGoorty, do yourself a favor and do so, it is a fascinating look at a bygone era, and not just pool, 3C, and hustling.
Thanks! I have heard about the book many times but never bought, might be a good time!
I played well drunk, afraid I had a lot of practice and experience doing just that. Close to forty years dry now. The only time I miss alcohol a bit is when I finish a hot dusty job. An ice cold beer would go down good! One wouldn't hurt, two wouldn't help, three and I would probably be on my way!
Like most things pool related I gave some attention to my game drunk and sober. What I found was that I shot harder and more aggressively sober, gentler and smoother after lubrication. I was probably winning more drunk because I was shooting more drunk. After a few weeks consideration I decided that the best thing I could do was swap to my style when drinking all the time. Of course best would have been to quit drinking or quit in anything but great moderation. Easier said than done. It was a decades long joke with a friend that neither of us could even spell moderation!
Hu