I usually enjoy a few beers or whiskey while playing.. but health issues caused me to cease drinking for a while so I've had some comparison time. Best games ever on shadow and sopranos the other night.. maybe I play better sober? I always thought a beer helps keep things calm and in control. Of course the more I drink the more angry I get about sdtms and stupid drains-- and certainly performance drops off.

Curious as to how others usually play and what they enjoy and if they think their play is 'better'sober or after a drink or two?

#2 6 years ago

CJK

GhostThruster

Pinside member

Solon, IA

7y 61,550 319

I only play sober but that is because I'm coming up on 10 years of sobriety

If I weren't sober, I'd imagine I would only play completely wasted.

#3 6 years ago

MDB

Mbecker

Pinside+ Frequent

Seattle, WA

10y 104K 4,313 5 14

Quoted from GhostThruster:
I only play sober but that is because I'm coming up on 10 years of sobriety
If I weren't sober, I'd imagine I would only play completely wasted.

Nice job on 10 years man, I am impressed! Better to play sober than completely wasted!

#4 6 years ago

SBS

o-din

Pinside+ Addict

11y 158K 58,797

What is this "sober" you are talking about?

Flash Gordon when fully intoxicated or even slightly.

#5 6 years ago

MDB

Mbecker

Pinside+ Frequent

Seattle, WA

10y 104K 4,313 5 14

Haha nice @o-din!

I do tend to think pinball and beer or whiskey do go together quite well. I can't imagine many tournament players are sneaking nips in the back hall between games though lol

#6 6 years ago

KIM

Mr68

Pinside+ Frequent

Boulder, CO

12y 150K 8,647

#7 6 years ago

DRS

YZRider926

Pinside member

Nokesville, VA

12y 60,300 1,232 7

I tend to be drinking when I play. Usually starting off early I'm ok but notice when wasted for get about it. Not surprised by it to be honest and can't imagine anyone can play well completely wasted.

#8 6 years ago

ALF

trunchbull

Inactive member

Toronto, ON

8y 51,900 1,200

I play best after a coffee.

#9 6 years ago

MDB

Mbecker

Pinside+ Frequent

Seattle, WA

10y 104K 4,313 5 14

Quoted from trunchbull:
I play best after a coffee.

Ohhhh nice - hadn't even considered that as I usually play in afternoons or evenings. Yeah that makes sense though - might have to try that!

#10 6 years ago

BCB

BlackCatBone

Pinside member

Okoboji, IA

11y 42,650 548 2

I'm not sure, but I'm immediately going to conduct a two-week trial to find out. If the results are inconclusive, I'll repeat.

#11 6 years ago

MRW

Toads

In Memoriam

Shepparton

9y 57,050 853 14

You can play sober?
Learn something new every day.

#12 6 years ago

ART

OLDPINGUY

Arts Arcade

12y 171K 12,507 7

I cant recall the last time I played sober......

#13 6 years ago

PUF

Puffdanny

Pinside member

7y 101K 2,854 19

I can't recall the last time I wasn't high.....

#14 6 years ago

ART

OLDPINGUY

Arts Arcade

12y 171K 12,507 7

pasted_image (resized).png

#15 6 years ago

KJS

Mudflaps

Pinside+ Frequent

Springfield, VA

11y 181K 8,675 5

It's like darts. A few beers and you're nice and relaxed. You tend to take chances, have fun, and enjoy yourself.

A few more and that ball gets fuzzy.

#16 6 years ago

PEZ

pezpunk

iScored

Bristow, VA

11y 103K 7,008 4 20

I am usually drinking when I play.

If I'm sober, especially in competition, I play too tight and can't hit a shot to save my life.

My best games are usually in the 2-3 beer range.

After that, my scores go consistently down hill, even if I don't feel like I'm getting drunk (that observation also functions as a cautionary note for driving under the influence, by the way).

I find a stimulant like a cup of coffee or Red Bull helps as well - it makes me more active with nudging, and I feel more connected to the game. Like alcohol, though, there's a sweet spot. If I have too much caffeine, my anxiety spikes and I lock up worse than when I'm sober.

currently, I consider my ideal competition prep as two vodka and Red Bulls. (Or a large coffee and two beers).

#17 6 years ago

MDB

Mbecker

Pinside+ Frequent

Seattle, WA

10y 104K 4,313 5 14

Quoted from Mudflaps:
It's like darts. A few beers and you're nice and relaxed. You tend to take chances, have fun, and enjoy yourself.
A few more and that ball gets fuzzy.

Yeah I was thinking of the same comparison.. maybe pool too -- no wait, I'm terrible at pool all night sober to drunk

#18 6 years ago

MIL

Thrillhouse

Beehive Pinball

Salt Lake City, UT

9y 89,050 885 24

I always have my medicine while playing because my games are sick!

Screenshot_2017-05-22-21-20-07-1 (resized).png

#19 6 years ago

KAP

NY2Colorado

Pinside member

12y 62,550 1,384 15

I like playing brylcreem style....

#20 6 years ago

TDN

Wyopinball

Inactive member

Casper, WY

8y 43,150 439 3

Pin gulps are to hold beer.
Nuff said!

#21 6 years ago

SMK

TheLaw

Pinside+ Addict

Ann Arbor, MI

12y 162K 48,066 19 30 1

I do both.. depends on the day

I have some great games at home drinking for sure, but playing in tourneys I'm never drinking because I have to drive home.

#22 6 years ago

S S

PinsideTroll

Inactive member

New Castle, DE

10y 49,650 937 12 10

i thought beer went well with everything other than driving?

#23 6 years ago

SRS

ssbodyman

Pinside member

12y 74,800 840 48

My best games have almost always been sober at home alone. My worst performances on league night have also been sober. My best guess is that drinking eases any competitive anxiety I may have.

#24 6 years ago

MAT

chalkup8

Pinside member

Sunshine

12y 72,800 1,134 4 17

Quoted from Mudflaps:
It's like darts. A few beers and you're nice and relaxed. You tend to take chances, have fun, and enjoy yourself.
A few more and that ball gets fuzzy.

Holding on to the sweet spot is the key,marijuana included.

#25 6 years ago

ZOD

Hazoff

Inactive member

Unknown

10y 112K 8,542

Sober but sometimes when the perfect mix of drink and chemicals come together I can put up a hell of a score.

#26 6 years ago

KAP

NY2Colorado

Pinside member

12y 62,550 1,384 15

There is a fine line between the buzz that has you laser focused while playing and the buzz that has me thinking about life and what not during the game.

#27 6 years ago

Monk

Pinside member

7y 93,800 1,911 21

It is just like my golf game. As I have a few my game gets better, but there is a cliff I never see the edge of. One drink to many and I completely fall off the edge of the cliff. It just happens so fast.

#28 6 years ago

SRC

Mfsrc791

Inactive member

Norwood, MA

7y 77,550 1,400 1 17

Adderal works good

#29 6 years ago

FUK

gmkalos

Inactive member

Unknown

8y 59,400 2,024 1

...what is sober never heard of it lol

#30 6 years ago

DAV

wayout440

Pinside member

Berea, OH

11y 113K 11,267 3 12

When you look down and the flipper bat is up but the ball is headed down the outlane drain, you've had one too many.

#31 6 years ago

MJM

mattmarr

Pinside member

Needham, MA

8y 42,900 220 24

Best games are always when I actually don't have enough time to play a game. Have to leave to catch a flight, go to a wedding, pickup the kids, etc., that's when I just can't miss a shot if I tried.

#32 6 years ago

KJB

dudah

Pinside+ Frequent

Algonquin, IL

11y 101K 2,983 10

1-2 hits of weed, 1-2 beers for sipping and I get in the "stone zone"

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