Pro Players and Drugs

[gulfportdoc]

Someone once told me that all top pool pros take some kind of drug while playing in pro tournaments.

I'm not aware of a single pro player who takes drugs during tournaments. For one thing it would be impossible to figure out the "pacing" of the drug for when the matches would be scheduled. In other words one couldn't take speed the whole 3-4 days just to be sure and cover the playing time. Even with alcohol, one would have to pick the best time to drink so as to not overdo it. One couldn't sustain an alcohol high along with the dexterity enough to play well throughout an entire tournament.

There's no question that players took a lot of "snappers" (speed) during the 60's and 70's, but that was mostly for long gambling sessions. Some of that remains today, but it's not usually by top players.

Doc

 

[GeraldG]

There's no question that players took a lot of "snappers" (speed) during the 60's and 70's, but that was mostly for long gambling sessions. Some of that remains today, but it's not usually by top players.

Doc

No, but a lot of it is people that COULD be top players if they didn't do drugs.

 

[ChuckR]

The focus of the thread thus far has been on illegal substances. What about prescription medications such as anti-anxiety or beta-blockers to help calm the nerves?

I know from experience that beta blockers such as Inderal or Propanolol will keep feelings of anxiety in check and not allow the player to be overwhelmed by the flee or flight syndrone. It is used by professional musicians to calm shakiness during performances. It only affects the mind by keeping you calm and your ability to think and reason are not altered as they are with such drugs and Valium and such.

 

[SUPERSTAR]

I'm not aware of a single pro player who takes drugs during tournaments. For one thing it would be impossible to figure out the "pacing" of the drug for when the matches would be scheduled. In other words one couldn't take speed the whole 3-4 days just to be sure and cover the playing time.

Doc

Most Pro events, have the times posted for matches already attached to the brackets. All you have to do is look at the chart to find out when you play, and prepare yourself accordingly. The exception would be weekend events, where you basically play all day, and the DCC where you don't know till the beginning of each round, when they do the draw, what times you'll be playing at.

SUPERSTAR

 

[chefjeff]

What's a drug?

Is it just a chemical? If so, then isn't food a drug? Aren't vitamins a drug? Aspirin? Coffee? Nicotine? Steriods? They're all just substances that cause a chemical reaction in one's body. Why is causing a chemical reaction in one's body a bad thing if it is an "illegal" drug but OK if, for example, a "legal" vitamin?

The War On (some) Drugs has ruined any rational discussion of this subject. Hell, the Iowa gangsters just made it illegal to buy sniffle pills without a drivers license and no more than one box per 24 hour period. All to stop meth production...right...and I've got some swamp land for sale...

Jeff Livingston

 

[Lmarr9]

Well I can say for the WPBA tour that I have NEVER come into contact with anyone who uses. We do have to sign a no drugs contract also. If we are caught using, we are fine or possibly kick out of the tour but that situation (to my knowledge) has not happened.

Anyone who has ever used and played pool finally realizes that they two just don't mix. It might help you in the beginning but it is hard to play pool when you are worried about your next fix.

We have some people in our area who think that the drugs help them play better. They don't realize that this usually does not last. I feel sorry for them for living in a unrealistic world.

I am proud to be a part of an organization who does not care just about the sport and marketing ability of its players. The WPBA women are kind of like a family and we all try and take care of each other. Having one of our own on drugs would be a shame and waste.

Lisa

 

[CaptainJR]

They DEFINITELY help and don't necessarily make you feel out of whack or high. You just don't have the shakes, tremors, or muscle tightening normally associated with nerves acting up that affect the stroke. One might want to do everything to elevate their blood pressure just so they can be prescribed legally by a doctor on an ongoing basis.
I had someone once tell me that a bunch of concert pianists and competition pianists take it because their fingers are so sensitive to nervousness and moving so rapidly, that they can't afford to have any tension or they'll blow the whole piece.

Inderal by day....amphetamines by night is the way to go. Do they take it? only their pharmacist (or dealer) knows for sure.
Me...I take vitamins.

I use to take them for piano performances. I haven't performed much lately so I don't have them anymore. Every now and then I do a family wedding. The POWMIA committee like me to perform each year at our POWMIA Remembrance Ceremony. Guess because I'm a disabled Vietnam veteran. I'm not playing real elaborate pieces at any of these events so it's just not necessary. Back when I was performing tougher music I used Propanalah (spelling) I guess it helped. Hard to say, long time ago anyway.

 

[MrLucky]

Hey Bud!

No, but a lot of it is people that COULD be top players if they didn't do drugs.

could not the same be said for any sport or business endeavor in fact ? ...

Drugs are all to invasive in our society ! I having come up in the sixties, have seen it all and tried a few but thank God I did not become a victim like so many of my friends and school mates to the hells of drug dependencies !

I have gone to way too many funerals and visited and heard of way too many friends in jail and have seen far too many wasted careers and lives over the years!

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Someone once told me that all top pool pros take some kind of drug while playing in pro tournaments. I remember being disgusted by this, then I thought that
it may not be true, or at least not true for all players. This was quite a few years ago but since then I've heard references to pros and drugs now and then.
Is this true? Please someone tell me it's not true of all pros. I don't mean gamblers, I mean top tournament pros. I can't imagine that someone like Ralf Souquet is playing on drugs, but I guess I could be wrong.


.

Seriously, I'm not speaking for all professionals in all sports but a disproportionate bunch of professional athletes are grown children. Look no further than the Mets of the 1980s and 90s. Cocaine, pot, you name it. Professional poolplayers who have no jobs and no children aren't going to be much better. Many of these guys (even poolplayers) run across too much money with too little responsibility and too much time on their hands. It's all but inevitable.

 

[breakup]

Many of these guys (even poolplayers) run across too much money with too little responsibility and too much time on their hands. It's all but inevitable.

...well said

 

[Kerry Impson]

...even the other day at the expo, my buddy watched as one of the guys in a big game, got slipped a pill by his backer, and downed it with his soda.

Reading this had me thinking about the 2004 WPBA Nationals....I was sweating Jeanette's match against Ga Young Kim and in the middle of the match she asked me for some ibuprofen for her back pain. I wonder what in the world the fans thought I was giving her?

 

[Jude Rosenstock]

Reading this had me thinking about the 2004 WPBA Nationals....I was sweating Jeanette's match against Ga Young Kim and in the middle of the match she asked me for some ibuprofen for her back pain. I wonder what in the world the fans thought I was giving her?

I really wouldn't worry about something like that. Most of the fans in pool are very knowledgeable and are very aware of Jeanette's back troubles. Also, Jeanette maintains a very professional image and always is very alert and in the moment. I've known her for years and I can honestly say, I've never even seen her drink.

There are certain names you can outright exclude from this conversation and Jeanette definately falls on that list.

 

[Kerry Impson]

That's very true, Jude - I was just bringing it up to point out the fact that just because one sees a player take a pill doesn't necessarily mean anything - even if their game improves subsequently.

 

[OldHasBeen]

The worst part about playing pool on drugs is.....

The worst part about playing pool on drugs is that you may win. If you do, you will attribute it to the drugs and become reliant on it to perform. It is almost like going to the casinos and winning the first time.
Speed (Black Beauties) was VERY prevalent in the 60's, 70's & 80's. In many instances it lead to harsher and more harmful drugs to try to get the same effect. I know of at least 5 great players who have lost their life to using drugs, either by auto accidents or drug abuse. I myself used to take Blacks to drive only. They did keep you awake & alert but I would never play until I got some good sleep.
I also enjoy my beer every day - BUT - As everyone who knows me will say - Once I take a sip of beer - The pool playing is OVER. Beer is the WORST thing you can drink while playing pool. It has an effect on your vision faster than anything you can drink. The malt, Barley & hops go straight to your muscles. Back in my Big Game days, I would drink a scotch & water TALL in a big tumbler. One drink would last me at least 4 hours, as I would just sip it to take the edge off, if I was playing a set for say over $5K.
This happened many times in Detroit, Chicago, Philly & Miami, etc.
Using drugs to play pool is not only Bad - It is also very stupid. I used to look for the speeders who like to play for days on end and I would catch them on the tail end of their spurts. I once played a real good and known player right here in St. Louis and we had played for about 18 hours when he got a cup of coffee and went to the bathroom for 10 min. I KNEW HE WAS TAKING SOME SPEED AND WOULD COME BACK ALL READY TO FIRE. I was about $2,600 winners at this time and played just one more game. I told him that I was Pooped and would continue to play AFTER I got 10 hours sleep. He threw a fit and said I was quitting. I said "No, I'm not quitting, and I will leave every dime I'm ahead right here with the House Man. If I didn’t return to play in at least 12 hours - The money is yours. There was nothing he could say so off I went. I came back in about 11 hours and guess what - He was still practicing. Bottom Line - A $5,500 Score.

TY & GL

 

[AuntyDan]

Snooker introudced drug testing for Beta Blockers

In the UK and World Pro Snooker circuit there was a big scandal over the use of beta blockers in the 80's. Several top players used them some with and some without having them prescribed by a doctor. Their use was banned due to the performance enhancing effects, even for those players who had legitimate prescriptions and medical conditions that required them.

Whilst this is harsh, it can be argued that if you cannot deal with the physical or mental stresses of your chosen sport you are simply not fit to play it professionally. If you cannot overcome your limitations through legitimate practice and training then you are not as good a player as someone who can, even if this is just a fluke of your genetics. It is sounds fundamentally unfair, but that is the nature of competitive professional sports.

Look at someone like Jeanette Lee who has overcome a condition that is literally crippling to play at the top level of her sport. If you have enough desire and determination you can overcome almost any obstacle through legitimate means.

 

[SUPERSTAR]

Reading this had me thinking about the 2004 WPBA Nationals....I was sweating Jeanette's match against Ga Young Kim and in the middle of the match she asked me for some ibuprofen for her back pain. I wonder what in the world the fans thought I was giving her?

I can totally see your point, and have been in that very same positon. Taking a few ibuprofen so that i don't ache when i play. Only to have people be like "what was that!?!?" At which point i whip out the bottle and ask them if they need some.

It's definitely something to consider. But one thing is to ask openly.................it seems a little more suspicious when as soon as the money is posted, how the backer slipped him a pill without any prompting, and he did the look left and right motion, before seeing that the coast was mostly clear, and downing the pill.

SUPERSTAR

 

[Kerry Impson]

Great post, AuntyDan. I also agree 100% with OldHasBeen, that using anything (whether it be drugs or alcohol or even superstition) to enhance one's game can cause dependence on the crutch and thus inability to perform optimally without it - very sad but true.

 

[DaveK]

They DEFINITELY help and don't necessarily make you feel out of whack or high. You just don't have the shakes, tremors, or muscle tightening normally associated with nerves acting up that affect the stroke. One might want to do everything to elevate their blood pressure just so they can be prescribed legally by a doctor on an ongoing basis.
I had someone once tell me that a bunch of concert pianists and competition pianists take it because their fingers are so sensitive to nervousness and moving so rapidly, that they can't afford to have any tension or they'll blow the whole piece.

Here's a strange little story ... a long drive buddy tried beta-blockers of some brand for a qualifying event to see if they would help him. Unfortunately he had no 'fire' in him and couldn't crush the ball as he expected. Apparently 6 beer (these are Canadian beer, you know, the good kind) fixed the problem of no-aggression, but after drinking I don't think he put any balls in the landing area ! I don't believe he has tried that experiment again.

I agree with most others here, while there may be some short term gain, the long term pain can be a killer ... literally.

Dave, who will have a good beer or two while playing league tonight, now that's mmmmmmmmmmmmmoderation !

 

[GeraldG]

could not the same be said for any sport or business endeavor in fact ? ...

Drugs are all to invasive in our society ! I having come up in the sixties, have seen it all and tried a few but thank God I did not become a victim like so many of my friends and school mates to the hells of drug dependencies !

I have gone to way too many funerals and visited and heard of way too many friends in jail and have seen far too many wasted careers and lives over the years!

I'm right with 'ya. I came up in the sixties, too...I've seen it all. It was even a huge problem when I was in the military in the early '70s. I had one friend that beat his younger brother to death with an aluminum baseball bat over a pound of pot in 1979. He is still in prison and will never see that outside again. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. I had another friend that I went to high school with that was using Angel Dust. He ended up stabbing his girlfriend to death one night and wrapping her body in a sheet tied up with antenna wire from his TV and dumped her in the bayou. Another guy that I went to school with and his brother stabbed a man outside a bar in Slidell, LA and robbed him to buy drugs. They got about $20.00. They stabbed the man something like 50 or 60 times. Neither of them will ever see the outside again either. My younger brother had serious problems with drugs. May 5, 1985, at the age of 30 he committed suicide. In the past 3 or 4 years I have gone to 2 different funerals for people that I played pool with. Both were overdoses.


As I said, I've never seen it do anything good for anyone. People that think they play better under the influence of drugs are fooling themselves...and it's a crying shame.

 

[MrLucky]

Absolutely!

I'm right with 'ya. I came up in the sixties, too...I've seen it all. It was even a huge problem when I was in the military in the early '70s. I had one friend that beat his younger brother to death with an aluminum baseball bat over a pound of pot in 1979. He is still in prison and will never see that outside again. He was sentenced to life without the possibility of parole. I had another friend that I went to high school with that was using Angel Dust. He ended up stabbing his girlfriend to death one night and wrapping her body in a sheet tied up with antenna wire from his TV and dumped her in the bayou. Another guy that I went to school with and his brother stabbed a man outside a bar in Slidell, LA and robbed him to buy drugs. They got about $20.00. They stabbed the man something like 50 or 60 times. Neither of them will ever see the outside again either. My younger brother had serious problems with drugs. May 5, 1985, at the age of 30 he committed suicide. In the past 3 or 4 years I have gone to 2 different funerals for people that I played pool with. Both were overdoses.


As I said, I've never seen it do anything good for anyone. People that think they play better under the influence of drugs are fooling themselves...and it's a crying shame.

Anyone who says or thinks drugs are a help is sadly either on them or a fool!