If you're talking about the one that died young because of .........his drinking, all I can say is, he didn't "swing it" as long as he could have/should have.
Maniac (t'was a time when I thought I played better when drinking, too)
Do you think alcohol helps you play better?
- Thread starter 8onthebreak
- Start date
If you're talking about the one that died young because of .........his drinking, all I can say is, he didn't "swing it" as long as he could have/should have.
Maniac (t'was a time when I thought I played better when drinking, too)
Like I said, only a few of the top players. Yes I knew a few that could drink heavy and still get the cheese. One top player that when he drank he was still a nightmare to play. Johnnyt
Yes, rather subjective
Yes, it does seem to work for some.
It actually helped me make some substantial $$ back in the '60s, when I was a drunk and I played with drunks. But by the '70s, when I began to play tougher competition, I stopped drinking before and during play.
I should say that I had a real drinking problem in the '60s. It played a big part in the end of one marriage and in missing the opportunity for at least one nice job (dream job, actually: managing the bowling and billiard center at the local university).
I quit drinking completely in 1986 (when I got my last traffic ticket!), but sadly, began again (modestly) in 2003. Finally quit again in 2011, because my doctor demanded it.
One sad thing about NOT drinking is that business owners don't treat me as well.
Yes, it does seem to work for some.
It actually helped me make some substantial $$ back in the '60s, when I was a drunk and I played with drunks. But by the '70s, when I began to play tougher competition, I stopped drinking before and during play.
I should say that I had a real drinking problem in the '60s. It played a big part in the end of one marriage and in missing the opportunity for at least one nice job (dream job, actually: managing the bowling and billiard center at the local university).
I quit drinking completely in 1986 (when I got my last traffic ticket!), but sadly, began again (modestly) in 2003. Finally quit again in 2011, because my doctor demanded it.
One sad thing about NOT drinking is that business owners don't treat me as well.
Playing league back in '89 we had a team member we nicknamed 2 to 4. Because he played great with 2 to 4 beers in him. We had him arrive early and primed him up then had him hold off on his 5th beer as he played his last game.
The problem is alcohol is a crutch. What it does is quiet the left side of the brain.
It all works like this:
The left side of the brain sees the problem layout on the table and starts working on the numerous possibilities to win the game. So a blueprint is layed out in your mind and you decide to go with it. Then it is the right side of the brain that executes the shot. The problem is our mind only has so much bandwidth to execute this shot. Once the left side makes the final decision it needs to be quiet. So there is room for thought to make the execution possible.
What happens is you get down on the table to shoot the desired shot but there is a problem. The left side of the brain won't shut up. It's keeps giving advice for another way of running out the problem. The end result is you never feel comfortable with the shot and the results are poor play.
What alcohol does is cloud detailed thought process. Decision making becomes more cumbersome. Instead of a sober thorough analysis we are more likely to to use the first answer that comes to our mind. With the result being better play.
The problem is motor skills are on a downward curve at the same time. The "feel" or the feedback we need is dulled. We start guessing on what we are supposed to feel. In addition the motor skills become less fine tuned for precision.
If you want to learn to control your mental game there are only 2 things that will help. Tournament play or Gambling. You learn how to shut up the left side of the brain or pay the consequences...
The problem is alcohol is a crutch. What it does is quiet the left side of the brain.
It all works like this:
The left side of the brain sees the problem layout on the table and starts working on the numerous possibilities to win the game. So a blueprint is layed out in your mind and you decide to go with it. Then it is the right side of the brain that executes the shot. The problem is our mind only has so much bandwidth to execute this shot. Once the left side makes the final decision it needs to be quiet. So there is room for thought to make the execution possible.
What happens is you get down on the table to shoot the desired shot but there is a problem. The left side of the brain won't shut up. It's keeps giving advice for another way of running out the problem. The end result is you never feel comfortable with the shot and the results are poor play.
What alcohol does is cloud detailed thought process. Decision making becomes more cumbersome. Instead of a sober thorough analysis we are more likely to to use the first answer that comes to our mind. With the result being better play.
The problem is motor skills are on a downward curve at the same time. The "feel" or the feedback we need is dulled. We start guessing on what we are supposed to feel. In addition the motor skills become less fine tuned for precision.
If you want to learn to control your mental game there are only 2 things that will help. Tournament play or Gambling. You learn how to shut up the left side of the brain or pay the consequences...
Last edited:
Cannot remember, I was drunk at the time.
Not me
I don't drink any more, but from what I remember in my younger years I would have to say no for me. It did seem to make every one around me stupid so I had to keep repeating myself. A couple of months ago my back was giving me problems and I got a steroid shot. Felt better so I thought I would go gimp around at the pool hall. I really shot good, even with the bad back. Told every one i was on steroids so I was cheating.
I don't drink any more, but from what I remember in my younger years I would have to say no for me. It did seem to make every one around me stupid so I had to keep repeating myself. A couple of months ago my back was giving me problems and I got a steroid shot. Felt better so I thought I would go gimp around at the pool hall. I really shot good, even with the bad back. Told every one i was on steroids so I was cheating.
No i did not mean George, the other player that i didnt name is a live and doing well and is almost ready for a come back, i hope, but without all the booze.
My Mom just turned 70 she has the same as you, she was told the same, hers is getting worst as time goes by, she wants to have the operation but she is very scared as iam sure you are too, Hers has gotten a lot worst near 60 years old, her head shakes constantly and its in her voice also, arms, not that bad in her legs, Doctor told my Mom that a couple glasses of wine would help it for a short time (i guess until the alcohol wears off) I hope yours isnt to bad and i hope the best for you, and please if you ever have the operation would you let me know how you made out as i will do the same for you if my Mom ever gets the operation.
I have played some beautiful unmissable pool after a few pints last week I played consistently for an hour or so and didn't miss a ball or run out. I have also played some terrible pool in the same condition. However, I have played my most steady consistent high standard pool - sober.
Last edited: