At the 1981 and 1986 WSOP, Smith placed fifth, but at the 1985 World Series of Poker he won the bracelet and $700,000.
[3][4] According to fellow poker player T. J. Cloutier, Smith did not play well when he was sober or totally drunk.
But when he got past that halfway mark, he was the worst player I'd ever played with.” [5] The year Smith won the Main Event, he entered the final day's play sober and just sat there while he warmed up.
After he started drinking, he accumulated a huge pile of chips by well-timed aggressive play.
He had so many chips once he was totally drunk that good luck led him to victory.