alcohol?

[sam147]

i suffer from bad nerves when playing snooker matches for some reason, i might twitch on a shot, shake or miss a pressure ball. So i have a few drinks before i play and it seems to help my game under pressure and overall, but i know its not good if ur playing 3 or more matches a week. I heard a while back some pros used beatablockers (not sure if its classed as cheating) but is there any other thing that might help?

i normally play to a reasonable standard level.

[connorw]

I found putting myself under the pump more often eventually made it easier to knock in the match winners. An older guy I know practices it with only the white and black balls on the table (8 Ball) and he reckons thats helped him under pressure, personally i think thats way to expensive to do cause really how many people have 15 black balls sitting around...anyway hope that helps a little

[matt926_uk]

try looking up some deep breathing and relaxation techniques, if you can master those they will be far more beneficial than alcohol or drugs. There are lots of books on coping with anxiety and the more you learn the more you can manage it.
If you need a drink and feel you play better with one then go ahead and have a drink, most players i have played this season seem to do the same. if you want to play to a high standard though i can say from my experiences alcohol will impair your abilitties but that also depends on how much you drink. I know six pints will make you rubbish but one or two may help with confidence and put you at ease. You also have to think about the health consequences and becoming dependant
As for beta-blockers, i wouldnt take them without a doctors prescription as there are side effects and contraindictions. If you have a genuine condition which needs treatment though i'm sure your doctor will help.
Beta-blockers basically inhibit stress hormones like adrenaline and so will reduce the 'fight or flight' response. I can see how this would put a player at an unfair advantage because they could be on an important final black and yet feel no or very little anxiety, however adrenaline makes you more alert and sharpens up the senses in readiness for danger, this can give you an edge and make you play above your normal playing level (my highest break was actually in a match). The problem comes when the level of anxiety becomes too high and you get typical symptoms like shaking limbs, sweaty hands, butterflies in your stomach etc which can make playing shots more difficult. If you can learn to keep your anxiety levels down by relaxation excersises or just from experience of being in these pressure situations, then that final black will become easier.
At the end of the day its only a game of snooker which we play for fun, there are far worse things going on in the world that make our worries over missing a shot insignificant, so just enjoy it!