So what's the lesson learned? The drunk has a better game? or a better mental game than you do being sober? Some drunks are always drunk, or in other words,"normal". This is how they are.They function this way everyday and being "drunk" doesn't affect their play . They probably won't ever get any better than they are. Most drunks are loud and belligerent and a complete pain in the ass-but they do like to get in gambling matches. I love drunks. They make me money. They want to fight, and sometimes you don't get paid. But overall, they make me money. I grew up in a town with no pool halls, and all the action was in the bars. Every bar had a league team, and some bars were actual stops for road players. Shannon Daulton, Jack Hines, even Jimmy Mataya used to come thru the bars here to play and match up. That being said...did you lose because the guy can actually beat you? or did his actions, or rather your re-action to his actions, cost you the $100?
If he can beat you, even when drunk, then read no further. The better player won. It doesn't sound like that is the case. It sounds like YOU let him get under your skin. His actions and lack of respect or attention to the game (because of being drunk) bothered you greatly. He sharked you with punching the wall, and being loud, and getting in your face, and basically trying to be an overbearing, threatening ass. YOU fell for it. You lost your game-your mental game. You've bolstered his confidence, since he beat you drunk, and no doubt he will confront you again looking for another game.This is your chance to get your hundred back and your mental game, but you must be ready. If it's a two hour match, so be it. Unless you make $50 an hour at work, it's worth the time. And beating this "drunk" will be sweeter than the hundred dollars.
So how do you do it? How do you win? How do you keep your focus at the table with an idiot "drunk" trying to crawl under your skin? By remembering that he is only at the table to make you pay for your mistakes. When you at the table, remember it's just you at the table. No one can tackle you, or block your shot. When drunks take forever to come and shoot their turn, it's a normal reaction for you to "hurry" your own shots in reaction to their stall. This causes you to miss. When you keep missing, it compounds your frustration. A drunk pool players rhythm is not the same as a pool players rhythm.It sounds like you would rather be in a pool hall, playing with etiquette and professionalism. Drunks don't play that way. You have to adjust your mental attitude. The best way is to think of yourself as a better person (ie., you're not drunk), and a better player. You have to convince yourself that you are going to take home the cash because of this. Play your game, your speed, your shots, and here's a big one your SAFETIES. This is a killer to a drunk. His motor skills are off, and constantly kicking or banking at object balls will frustrate him. At first, he'll mutter how "lucky" you are. Then he'll realize that you are outplaying him because he's a drunk. This will further lesson his playing ability, as he tries harder to beat you, but his motor skills won't let him.
Whenever you find yourself missing a shot that you should make, ask yourself, "AM I letting my reaction to a drunk cause me to play worse than I do?" If the answer is 'yes', then stand up, go to the bathroom, wash your hands and face, re-group, whatever you have to do to get yourself back in the game. It sounds cliche, but only you control you and your reactions to certain situations. If he wanders off, patiently wait, reminding yourself (that he's a drunk, I'm taking home the cash). If he starts yelling and getting mad, be calm, a $100 isn't worth a fight, jail, a broken cue etc. or your reputation as a -stand-up guy.ANYTHING this guy does, should just be amusing at best because....(he's a drunk and you're taking home the cash). Stay in your game....your focus....your speed....your rhythm....it doesn't matter what the drunk is doing....you're taking home the cash!
This drunk beating you out of a $100 could be one of the best lessons you ever get for two reasons. First, you just learned a weakness in your game-your mental game. Knowing it now, you can address it. Second, this drunk's ego just inflated. Use it toward your advantage the next time he wants to gamble. If you can adjust your mental game, you could win thousands off this drunk.
Good Luck.
Ace
