| No. 25, November, 1912 | Price 1/6 per annum to any part of the world. Single Copies 1d |
THE BILLIARD MONTHLY PORTRAIT GALLERY
XXV.A. F. PEALL
Stevenson’s Thousand Break
Stevenson has made his second “thousand” record. His
previous one was that thousand centuries in the wonderful
season in which nothing went wrong with him; in which
he paralyzed all competition; and at the end of which
Inman, badly beaten by Stevenson in his last heat in the
tournament, grimly remarked that he could hold his own
against a man, but not against a machine.
There was a compliment involved in this remark, coming,
from the source whence it did, but it was an inadequate
remark all the same. For, whatever Stevenson may be in
his play, he is very far indeed from being a machine. He
is an artist to the finger tips, and an extremely human player.
Now he has made his second “thousand” record in the
shape of a perfect 1,016 off the balls under exacting modern
conditions, and this extraordinary performance will find its
place in billiard history alongside of his thousand centuries.
For let it be considered what this latest thousand break
really means. There have been previous thousand breaks,
but they have been made either with the push or jamb
stroke permitted, or by means of the unlimited winning or
losing hazards. John Roberts made a spot-barred break of
1,392 on May 3 and 4, 1894, before the push stroke was
abolished, and although he may have made but little use of
the push, it may, nevertheless, have come to his aid at a
critical moment before the 1,000 was reached. Tom Taylor
had previously made even more, with his 1,467 on April 24,
1891, but this included 729 cannons when the balls were
jambed in a top corner pocket, just as 2,539 (including 1,267
anchor cannons) were made by Frank Ives on June 1 and 2,
1893; 42,746 by the cradle cannon stroke between May 29.
and June 4, 1907, and 249,552 by T. Reece between June 3
and 6, 1907. By means of the spot stroke, the elder Peall
made 3,304 on November 5 and 6, 1890; C. Dawson, 1,848,
on September 20, 1890; F. White, 1,745, on March 13, 1889;
J. G. Sala, 1,012 (including 186 consecutive screw-backs)
on March 20, 1888; and J. Watson, 1,075, on April 3, 1890.
There is also a 1,237 unfinished standing to the credit of
C. Memmott on August 20, 1892, under the conditions then
prevailing, and the 2,196, mostly off the red, by George
Gray is still quite recent history.
But other times other methods, other rules, and other
men; and H. W. Stevenson stands forth as the only player
in the world who, in the game of billiards, as it is controlled
to-day, has made a break exceeding 1,000 points. It was
made, moreover, without any adventitious happening to
mar its completeness, and by a varied and delightful use of
“the game, the whole game, and nothing but the game.”
To those billiard enthusiasts or students who had the good
fortune to be present, a delightful and most profitable lesson
was afforded, a lesson ever-changing yet ever-progressing.
Sometimes the great player was in the calm and tranquil
sea of the losing hazard from hand; sometimes in the more
uncertain and treacherous waters of the top-of-the-table
area; and once or twice actual breakers were ahead where
risk had to be taken, but where disaster was triumphantly
averted, albeit by the narrowest shave. These things, taken
together, made up the enthralling mosaic of the break, in the
course of which the spectators were alternately held in tension
and suspense and comfortably reassured.
It was a great performance and a memorable entertainment,
and by its means the ex-champion has altogether
blotted out that unwelcome phrase about “the Stevenson of
other days” and strongly re-asserted himself as “the
Stevenson that still and now is.” Everyone will wish him
a prosperous and brilliant tour through India or where else
he may now, in association with Gray, be intending to pitch
his moving tent, and everyone will even more cordially bid
him welcome home again, when, the bonzoline phase suspended,
and normal all-round conditions restored, he chooses
once more to contest for the temporarily laid-down position
of champion of English billiards.
Questions and Answers
Purchase of Cue
188.”I have derived much information and pleasure in
perusing your replies to correspondents from time to time in
your paper, and am now in need of your advice in a matter
which touches me more intimately. I intend to buy a cue and
have seen various samples. The appearance of one has taken
my fancy. It is rather an elaborate one; has two or three splices
and at the tip has about one inch of bony matter. The price is
23s. 64. Can you tell me if this elaboratenes is of any value
except as ornamentation? I should like to know why the bony
matter is there.”
The cue you name is well known to us and
the present writer has two of them. The chief value of the horn
tip is the perfect smoothness of the end, which enables the self-sticking
tip to be at once securely fixed and also obviates any
splintering away of the wood. The object of the extra splicing
is to get a little heavier wood in front of the hand, and thereby
relieve the mind of the idea that it is necessary to grip a cue in
order to add weight to the stroke.
Ball Shaken Into Pocket
189.”Playing in a match this week my ball remained
stationary nearly half over a pocket! My opponent made a
forcing stroke on the red and the vibration from this stroke
caused the white to enter the pocket. What should then have
been done?”
Obviously the only thing to do in such a case is
to replace the ball as nearly in its previous position as possible.
The rules governing the point are (B.C.C., 11): “A ball which
has stopped on the edge of a pocket shall, if it falls in from
vibration, be replaced; if it balances momentarily on the edge
and falls in, it must not be replaced,” and (B.A., 25): “Should
a ball drop into a pocket after being stationary it must be
replaced; and should a striker have played at a ball whilst it was
dropping into a pocket he can have the stroke played over again.”
The B.C.C. rule is, in our opinion, the better one on the whole,
but even this does not allow for the case of a cue ball which is
revolving with a great deal of side on the brink of a pocket, as
such a ball might legitimately fall in after more than a momentary
apparent stoppage. In the B.A. rule the word “stationary”
may, perhaps, be said to cover this point.
Ironing Table
190.”How often should a billiard table be ironed?”
It
is mainly a question of use and temperature. Under-ironing is
better than over-ironing, but in damp weather the ironing is
imperative. Constant and careful brushing is really more important
than ironing. This does not wear the nap nearly so much as
the ironing, which latter, done in excess, is mainly a concession
to the class of player that likes to see the balls flying about.
When a ball run down a pair of cues resting on an end cushion
stops short of its usual point the iron may be used with advantage,
as proof is shown that the cloth has become either rough
with use or loose with damp.
Ball Off Table
191.”Should a ball leave the table what is the right thing
to do? Spot the balls and give so many away, or give away and
let opponent play?”
There is no alternative. The striker loses
two if a ball goes off the table after contact with another, and
three when following a miss. The balls are spotted in either
case.
The Use of Force
192.”Sometimes in watching good players I endeavour to
forecast the next stroke and I say to myself: ‘Now a gentle in-off,’
instead of which quite a strong stroke is made, although the
angle seems to be a natural one. Is there some design underlying
this, or is it merely a more or less careless stroke?”
A really good player never makes a careless stroke, although
extreme ease of execution may sometimes give rise to the latter
impression. Actual carelessness is, however, at once revealed by
the result, just as is error of judgment. There are many positions
of the balls in which force has to be employed for the retention
of position, just as there are many where very gentle play has to
be resorted to. Perhaps the most familiar instance is the
constantly-recurring stun stroke by which, in top-of-the-table play,
a ball is sent two table lengths to rejoin the other two. This
stroke is also played across the table at the top where the gentler
treatment would leave the red too much below the opposite corner.
By playing harder the otherwise insufficiently-lateral direction
of the ball towards the pocket is obtained, just as in doubling
for a centre pocket the score is often made into the pocket opposite.
Everything depends upon the intended run of the object
ball, and when this is borne in mind and provided for the rest
becomes easy.
Use of Side in Run-Throughs
193.”Is side necessary in run-throughs? Some players
always seem to use it and others rarely. Which is correct?”
Side should never be used in any stroke if as good and sure a
result can be obtained without its aid. The best plan is to mark
the positions with chalk and do the stroke twenty times each way,
judging by the result. In the case of a blind pocket, and to avoid
a kiss in pocket play, side must sometimes be used, but where
the pocket is open and no kiss is to be apprehended the plain
stroke is preferable. If you know players who always use side
in run-through cannons we should say that their aim is defective.
They think they are aiming at a given point on the surface
of the object ball, but they are really aiming a little wide of it,
and they have unconsciously discovered that the use of check
side obviates the otherwise ill-effects of this imperfect aim.
Swerve Strokes
194.”When screwing with raised cue I find that your suggestion
about aiming fuller is a good one, but sometimes the
ball still goes where I aim and at other times takes the object
fuller or finer. What is the reason of this?”
If no side is
required on the cue ball and your cue is in the line of intended
travel you need not aim fuller than half-ball unless for the purpose
of fuller contact, but if you are imparting running side you
must aim full and if check side the aim must be fine. The only
reason why there is more swerve with the cue raised in side shots
is that the cue ball is struck below its centre, taking the line of
the cue, and an ordinary side stroke is thus converted into a
screw or partial masse stroke with side.
Things that Matter in Billiards
XXIII.THEORY AS AN AID TO PRACTICE
This article is intended as a plea for the establishment
by professionals of billiard classes, as distinguished from
individual tuition. There are two drawbacks to private
tuition as applied to the majority of billiard students. The
first is that they are usually merely taught how to do certain
strokes, without the precise why and wherefore of such
strokes being imparted to them, and the second is that they
are charged for each hour a larger amount than many of
them can well afford to pay.
Let there, however, be no mistake. Not only is any
intending player who has a pound or two to spare wise to
take a few private or personal lessons from a good professional
before he attempts to take up a cue, but he simply
cannot, unless possessing an inborn genius for the essentials
of the game, afford to do without such lessons. But it is
our opinion that such lessons should be confined to three
things, and after the intending player has been thoroughly
grounded in these foundation methods and principles, a course
of class tuition, combined with careful and painstaking practice
alone, would, in our judgment, be the very best kind of
education to which he could submit himself.
The three things that a professionaland it must be the
right professionalshould be requisitioned for at the outset
are: (1) The positioning of the body; (2) the holding and
supporting of the cue, and (3) the delivery of the stroke.
We say that the right professional should be consulted, and
we say this advisedly, for, whilst there are many professionals
whose stance, cue hold, and delivery are as
technically perfect as they are graceful, there are others who
do none correctly, but who, nevertheless, make their
hundred breaks again and again, whilst still technically
wrong all over. The explanation of this is that they devote
such an enormous amount of time and attention to practice
that they are able to create artificial substitutes for their
otherwise faulty technique, but they never get into the front
rank because, under the stress of serious encounters or
adventitious happenings, their artificial standbys break
down and they are reduced to the unfortunate condition in
which they can do nothing right.
The player, whether amateur or professional, who has
never learnt to stand right, to hold his cue right, or to
deliver his cue right, can only make breaks by compensating
with fuller or finer aim or with higher cueing for
what is essentially wrong in hisat the outsettoo quickly
or wrongly acquired style. As an example of what we
mean, we may suggest a simple test. The object ball shall
be placed on the centre spot of the table, and the cue ball
handed to half-a-dozen players in succession. There is only
one line of correct aim for this stroke if the intention be to
set up middle pocket play after the first stroke, yet it will be
found that each of the six players has a different idea as to
where the cue ball shall be placed in the D, as a careful
marking with chalk of each positioning would prove.
Furthermore, the reason for this varying position would be
at once detected by any expert who placed himself at the
top end of the table in the direct line in which the cue was
pointing when the stroke was made.
The reason for this variation in the aim is two-fold. The
eyes may be looking sidewise along the cue, thus altering
the focus, or the hand may be working either inside or outside
of a plumb-line dropped from the elbow. The
correcting of these two common faults, together with the
right support of the cue with fingers and at the bridge, and
the effortless and rhythmical swing of the cue are worth a
guinea of any aspiring billiardists money.
Now we come to the class tuition, in which no student
should be allowed to touch a cue, and to which no student
should be admitted who had not previously acquired the
proper stance, hold, and swing, which he must be prepared
to demonstrate privately to the director of the class.
The first class lesson might fittingly be devoted to the
middle-pocket in-offs, sometimes with the red ball only on
the table and sometimes with the white object ball there also.
The reason for this is obvious. Although, as a rule, it is
the game not to disturb two balls in order to make a
cannon when an in-off continues to be easily on, the second
ball is frequently so placed that a collision between the
object balls must result as well as the in-off, and when this
is the caseunless foreseen and provided for by gentler play
the nature of the next shot becomes a matter of sheer luck.
So that Lesson No. 1 would very profitably consist of
explanations and demonstrations of the different contacts
necessary for red ball guidance towards the centre of the
table below the middle spot and to warnings against the
treacherous kiss when the white is on the table. The point
at which it might be necessary to bring the white into the
scheme of play, and the best manner of accomplishing this,
would also naturally fall under exposition.
Class Lesson No. 2 might usefully be devoted to the use
and abuse of side, and here the extremely important wile
of shifting the cue bodily one way or the other, instead of
deflecting it, would be emphasized. The effective manner in
which slow side can be substituted for force, either in pocket
or cushion cannon play, would form the subject of many
very pretty illustrations, and the modified aim that is
necessary to neutralize the influence of the nap of the cloth
or the enforced or intentional raising of the butt of the cue
would prove equally interesting and instructive to the
students.
For Lesson No. 3 the area of the demonstrations might
conveniently and appropriately be transferred to the top of
the table, first with the red ball alone and afterwards with
the white placed just above it, and here it would quickly be
discovered by the now pleased and gratified students that,
just as the run-through in-off stroke is the backbone of the
middle pocket game, so the gentle run-through cannon stroke
is one of the most valuable aids in retaining the white ball
near the spot and in directing the red towards the corner,
Jottings of the Month
- Stevenson gave a wonderful exposition of billiards at Leicester
Square during the fortnight ending October 19, when
he finished by scoring 6,000 to Falkiner’s 3,896 (less 2,250
start). On the previous Saturday, Stevenson beat Cook by
9,000 to 6,120 (less 3,500 start), and on the previous Tuesday
he beat Peall by 3,000 to 2,507 (less 1,000 start). Thus, so
far as the actual play was concerned, he ran up 18,000 points
against 5,773, or more than three to one. Included in the
breaks against Cook were a 523, a 729, and a 1,016, the
last-named a world’s record under present conditions, the
specialized Gray-stroke alone excepted. The huge break
was made, furthermore, in only two minutes over the hour.
Further references to this remarkable performance appear
on another page. - George Gray has been playing at Lisbon, Madrid, and
Paris, and is now in Alexandria and Cairo prior to joining
his father and Stevenson, who leave London to-day (Nov.
1), at Port Said on Nov. 6. - Gray is reported from Australia as being anxious to
return home, and desirous of making the India tour as short
as possible so as to reach Australia early in the new year.
Gray’s mother, brothers, and sisters live in Sydney, the two
youngest boys being twins. - Inman reached London from his Australian and Canadian
tour on October 28. Reece will only arrive just in time to
play Peall in the Tournament on Nov. 11. Inman’s first act
on reaching Fishguard was to wire congratulations to
Stevenson on the latter’s 1,000 break. - Inman’s 419 break in Canada established a Canadian
record, putting down Roberts’s also recent 378. Against
Reece in Australia Inman made a break of 584his best of
the tour. He says he has a new shot of the prolific scoring
variety. - Inman has been playing very successfully in Vancouver,
where the start of 400 in 1,000 proved to be of no use whatever
to the local “cracks” who were opposed to him.
What, indeed, could these players do with such breaks
against them as 400, 300, and 200? After the matches
Inman gave some fancy strokes and also instituted a novel
competition for a cue which he presented. Each man had
a chance at a difficult shot, the competitor making the most
points from it taking the cue. By the way, Inman is said
to be opposed to meeting a red ball specialist for the championship. - Inman’s challenge to concede any English player 1,000 in
18,000 up for £100 (open to £250 a side), with ivory or crystalate
balls, has met with response from Diggle, who is
stated to be willing to play Inman on the following conditions:
The best of three games of 16,000 up level for a
wager of £250 on the rubber, with either ivory or crystalate
balls, one of the games to be played in Liverpool or Manchester.
Diggle, however, wants the gate to be equally
divided, whilst Inman asks two-thirds, win or lose. - W. Smith intends to challenge Inman for the championship,
in which case he would first play Reece. Interviewed,
Smith says:”I mean to try my luck. I have a bigger
chance, perhaps, than many imagine, and I have the necessary
backing behind me.” - A young Dublin professional named Joseph Brady is being
given an opportunity of further attesting his metal by placing
Cook 7,000 up at Leicester Square, and is receiving a
start of 1,500. - Raynor states that he is willing to play Peall 7,000 up for
£25 a side. In their match of 2,000 up in the preliminary
tournament at Soho Square a close and exciting contest was
won by Peall by 79 points only. - There is much in the play of Peall and Falkiner that is
reminiscent of that of Inman and Reece. The two newcomers
may, indeed, be regarded as, to a certain extent, the
two great players written smaller. Peall favours safety and
the open game as Inman does and Falkiner rapid top-of-the-table
(including close cannon) methods as does Reece. - If proficiency in billiards is a sign of a mis-spent youth,
is not ignorance of so delightful a game equal evidence of a
mis-spent maturity? - The old Palace at Cettinje is called the “Billardo,”
because it once contained the only billiard table in’ the
country. The table was borne up the (then) almost perpendicular
path from the sea by fifty mena notable feat
although their burden less resembled a “Burroughes and
Watts” than a bagatelle board!Evening Standard. - The handicapping of Aiken against Smith in the Tournament
and the recent performance of the latter against the
Scottish champion suggest an interesting calculation. Aiken
(who won last year’s tournament) is handicapped to concede
Smith in the tournament 1,500 points in 7,500, or one-fifth
of the game. Attempting to concede Smith 1,600 in 16,000
(or one-tenth of the game) in Scotland, Aiken was beaten
by 127 points and in the similar return match the scores at
the end of last week stood: Smith 6,978, Aiken 6,128.
There will clearly be abundant interest in this year’s Tournament. - Young Taylor, who could do nothing in the preliminary
tournament, is now reported to have made a 400 break
against G. Nelson at Yeadon, Yorkshire. - There is an entry in the Leeds Professional Handicap of
“H. C. Virr (Bradford) rec. 325.” Does this mean that
Mr. Virr intends to follow in the wake of Lovejoy and
Breed? - Playing Mr. Alfred Graham, Ilford, 500 up, Miss Ruby
Roberts scored 407 to Mr. Graham’s 500. Miss Roberts is
now (Nov. 1) playing a week’s match with C. Falkiner at
Bristol. - A sub-committee of the Billiard Association will discuss
the question of amalgamation with the Billiards Control
Club. - The Stock Exchange Handicap starts on November 4, and
the Manchester Charity Tournament on Nov. 25. - Entries for the professional championship close to the
Secretary of the B.C.C. on Nov. 30, for the Press Handicap
on Nov. 4, and for the Sheffield Amateur Championship on
Nov. 5. - Reece is now back in England and is booked to play Newman
at Leicester Square forthwith. Harverson will probably
be here during the month. Diggle is already back;
and in Australia, where all these players have been during
the English summer, cricket is now taking the place of billiards. - It is stated that Leeds differs from nearly all other great
towns visited by professional billiard players in the smallness
of the gatherings that assemble there to watch the play.
Even the best players, when they visit Leeds, do not appear
to receive such enthusiastic support from the public as would
be anticipated.
The Preliminary Tournament at a Glance
(2) C. Falkiner (won 3, lost 1), 11,208 to 9,812.
(3) E. Breed (won 2,
lost 2), 10,386 to 11,249.
(4) A. Raynor (won 1, lost 1), 3,921 to 3,786.
(5) W. Osborne (won 1, lost 1), 3,847 to 3,713.
(6) J.
W. Collens (won 1, lost 1), 3,124 to 3,827.
(7) J. Chapman (won 0, lost 1), 1,827 to 2,000.
(8) J. Harris (won 0, lost 1), 1,786
to 2,000.
(9) E. Hoskins (won 0, lost 1), 1,713 to 2,000.
(10) W. H. Sparrow (won 0, lost 1), 1,405 to 2,000.
(11) T. Tothill
(won 0, lost 1), 1,402 to 2,000.
(12) H. Taylor (won 0, lost 1), 539 to 2,000.First round 2,000 up knock-out; second round
4,000 up knock-out; third round 4,000 up, each playing each.
The Professional Tournament
The “colts” preliminary tournament at Soho Square is
concluded and the main contest is now begun, with the
young and capable winner of the preliminary (A. F. Peall)
pitted against that seasoned and experienced exponent of
the game, Edward Diggle, by whom the son of the spot
stroke champion is allowed 3,000 points in 9,000, or exactly
one-third.
Peall has well earned his place in the grand tournament,
and the main factor that has contributed to his uccess lies
on the surface. He has achieved his purpose on what may
be termed “Inman” lines. Every stroke has been played
as though the match depended upon that stroke alone, and
no unnecessary risks have been taken in close play where
the more open game presented itself as an alternative. With
Falkiner and Breed it has been different. They are both
attractive players and much quicker than Peall, but they
make their game more difficult than is the case with Peall,
and frequently come unexpectedly to grief. Peall, on the
other hand, commits no hasty blunders, and his visits to the
table usually yield him something useful. He has evidently
built up his game in sections. When he was playing
“all in” against his father some time ago we noticed
that he frequently exploited the spot stroke with marked
success against its greatest opponent, and in his preliminary
tournament play he used the red ball when it suited him, for
continuous losing hazards, according to the most approved
methods of the middle pocket school. Later, no doubt,
when absolutely secured on the essential and eminently safe
losing hazard base, he will also make his hundreds, by
means of winner-cannons and rail cannons, without
troubling the baulk-end of the table.
Referring more generally to the tournament that has now
opened, we may say that it promises to be at least as interesting
as any of its predecessors and will perhaps prove to
be even more so. To be sure Stevenson and Harverson are
not included this year, but in their place there is a dashing
young section whose doings, whatever they may be, can
hardly fail to evoke interest. One of these brilliant recruits
(Smith) in the course of last season, made the record break
for the year off ivory balls with 736, and another of them
(Newman) is keen to meet again the player who, in the
same salon during last season (although not in the
tournament) put up this paralyzing and unexpected figure
against him. Newman’s own record against Roberts in
Canada and previously is also one with which a young
player has every reason to be satisfied.
It is unnecessary to refer, beyond mentioning them, to
the classic and seasoned quartette of leading professionals
amongst whom the younger players will make their debut
and by whom the latter will doubtless be received with the
generous chivalry that such confluences of acknowledged
and budding talent always awaken amongst true sportsmen.
An Anti-Fluke Game
RULES OF “TRILLIARDS.”
1.A. plays with plain white, and may score only by winning
hazards. B., following A., plays with spot white, and may
score only by losing hazards, and C, following B., plays
with red, and may score only by cannons.
2.If a player (1) makes a stroke which he is not entitled
to make, or (2) gives a miss, or (3) forces a ball off the
table, or (4) runs a coup, or (5) plays with the wrong ball,
or (6) plays from a wrong position, each of the other players
scores the point for each such error. For each legitimate
stroke that a player makes (provided he plays with his
proper ball and from the proper position), he scores two
points, even if the stroke accomplished be a fluke. If by
one and the same stroke a player makes a legitimate shot,
and also commits one or more errors, his break ends; but
he counts his points for the legitimate shot (except when he
has played with the wrong ball or from the wrong position),
the other players scoring for the error or errors. Example:
A. pockets the red ball and the spot white, making a cannon
in so doing. He counts two for each winning hazard, and
B, and C. each score 1 for the cannon. A.’s break ends,
and B. proceeds to play.
3.The game is 25 up.
4.Legitimate strokes score before penalties. Thus, the
score being A. and B. 24 each, C. 23, C. plays and makes a
cannon. C. wins the game, though his error brings the
scores of A. and B. up to 25.
5.The players determine by lot, as in pool, which is to
play as A., B., and C.
6.At the outset of the game the red ball is placed on the
billiard spot, spot white on the centre spot, and plain white
on the centre spot of the D.
7.A player in hand must play from the centre spot of
the D. If that is occupied, from the right-hand spot. If
that also is occupied, from the left-hand spot.
8.A player in hand must play out of baulk, the baulk
being a protection, as in billiards. A ball lying half in and
half out of baulk is reckoned in baulk. If a ball is more
than half out of baulk, the player in hand may play at any
part of such ball.
9.If a ball is pocketed, and is not forthwith to be played
from hand, it shall, if a white ball, be spotted on the centre
spot. If that is occupied, on the pyramid spot. If that is
occupied, on the billiard spot. If it is the red ball that is in
question, it shall be spotted on the billiard spot. If that is
occupied, on the pyramid spot. If that is occupied, on the
centre spot.
10.If, when a player is to play, the cue ball is touching
another, the balls shall be taken up and spotted as follows:
If it is A.’s or B.’s turn to play, player’s ball on the centre
spot of the D., the other white ball on the centre spot, red on
the billiard spot, and the player plays from the centre spot
of the D. But if it is C.’s turn to play, the balls are spotted,
as in rule 6, and C. plays from the billiard spot.
11.If A. pockets a ball twice in consecutive strokes, in
one and the same break, from any particular spot, that
ball shall not be re-spotted on that spot for the next stroke.
It shall be spotted instead on the nearest unoccupied spot.
In this rule” spot “signifies only the centre, pyramid, and
billiard spots.
12.The penalty for playing with a wrong ball or from a
wrong position may be claimed by either of the other players,
but only before a player has played in succession to the
player at fault.
13.On the game being won, the two losers can continue
to play till one of them reaches 25, the other paying for the
table. If penalties accruing from the winner’s final stroke
carry either or both of the losers to 25, the losers, if continuing
to play under this rule, shall play as if such penalties
had not accrued.A.R.B. (Ratnagiri, India), in The Field.
The Australian Season
During the Australian season just closed, Lindrum was
unbeaten in long games, with the record of five wins for the
five games played, the top break, the greatest number of
breaks over 100, and the best average. Williams takes
second place, followed by Reece, Inman, Harverson, Weiss,
and Diggle. Positions to Saturday, September 7:
| P | W | L | Possible Points | Made Points | Best Breaks | Breaks Over 100 | Ave | |
| Lindrum | 5 | 5 | 0 | 88,500 | 88,500 | 731 | 269 | 43.15 |
| Williams | 5 | 3 | 2 | 59,500 | 51,029 | 343 | 150 | 38.78 |
| Reece | 3 | 1 | 2 | 43,000 | 40,614 | 513 | 139 | 35.64 |
| Inman | 3 | 0 | 3 | 43,500 | 37,205 | 584 | 116 | 34.96 |
| Harverson | 3 | 2 | 1 | 48,000 | 47,693 | 430 | 135 | 32.33 |
| Weiss | 1 | 0 | 1 | 14,000 | 10,462 | 225 | 25 | 25.97 |
| Diggle | 2 | 0 | 2 | 27,000 | 23,132 | 411 | 42 | 24.34 |
- Lindrum defeated Williams twice, by 4,308 and 3,928 in
16,000, conceding 100 in each game. - Lindrum defeated Reece by 1,286 in 16,000 up, level.
- Lindrum defeated Inman by 3,609 in 8,000 up, level.
- Lindrum defeated Harverson by 307 points in 24,000 up,
level. - Harverson defeated Diggle twice, by 3,630 and 762 in
9 000 and 18,000 up, receiving 1,000 and 2,000 start. - Williams defeated Weiss by 3,538 points in 14,000 up, level.
- Williams defeated Reece by 1,000 points, 9,000 up,
receiving 1,000 start. - Williams defeated Inman by 2,352 in 9,000 up, receiving
1,500 start. - Reece defeated Inman by 334 in 18,000 up, level.
Lindrum’s match against Harverson was originally one of
16,000 up and if it had stayed there Harverson would have
won easily. But it was extended for another week and to
24,000 points, with the result that Harverson was just
defeated. Final scores: F. Lindrum, 24,000; C. Harverson,
23,693. The averages were:
First weekC. Harverson
44.7, F. Lindrum 28.4; second weekC. Harverson 30.0, F.
Lindrum 49.6; third weekC. Harverson 35.6, F. Lindrum
37.9;
Whole gameC. Harverson 36.7, F. Lindrum 38.6.
Harverson made 74 breaks exceeding 100, and Lindrum 69,
including one of 657 and one of 505.
Playing two matches of 1,000 up subsequently with Lindrum
at Geelong, Victoria, Harverson won in both instances.
Final scores:First match Harverson, 1,000; Lindrum,
515; breaksHarverson, 173, 127; Lindrum, 109. Second
match: Harverson, 1,000; Lindrum, 773; breaksHarverson,
79, 76, 63, 51, 52, 105, 63, 89, 96 and 63; Lindrum,
107, 68, 45, 46 and 104.
Harverson writes to The Billiard Monthly:”I expect to
arrive in London on November 28 by the P. & O. liner
‘Morea,’ but there is a possibility that an engagement here
(Melbourne) may keep me for two weeks later. Mrs.
Harverson and myself are well and enjoying our trip, the
Australians being past-masters at giving one a good time.”
After each session of the match of 24,000 up, Harverson
and Lindrum put up for competition one of their special cues
for amateur players to compete for. The balls were placed
on the table thus:Red on billiard spot, white on centre
spot, and striker playing from the D. The maker of the
highest break from that position during a week won the
cue. Entrance to the competition was free, and considerable
interest was aroused by it. One afternoon Lindrum, disguised
in an overcoat and cap, came forward to take part,
but was promptly put back amidst laughter. The competition
itself also proved amusing. One competitor missed the
white, another missed the cue ball, and a third almost
screwed into a middle pocket.
Billiard Players in Council
Proposed League for West London
To the Editor.
Speaking as an ardent follower of the game, and especially
as a club member, it has occurred to me that there has for
some time been something wanting in amateur billiards to
make the game more interesting, and to give it such grip
that it would be impossible for the game to fall into decadence
after it has gained so many enthusiasts.
Now, the introduction of a league is the very thing, as
by its means it would enable a good player playing in the
league to get out of the lethargic way he has accustomed
himself to by playing mostly “friendly games,” more often
than not disregarding the actual results, and it would also
spur on the man, who was coming on, to improve his game
in order to be chosen to represent his club.
From the spectacular point of view a league is bound to
bring about a keener appreciation of amateur billiards than
prevails at present. We all know how followers of certain
football clubs eagerly scan their papers on Saturday to see
whether their favourite team has gained a better position in
the table, and therefore there is no reason why the same
enthusiasm should not be shown in any amateur billiard
league amongst the coterie of club billiards.
If, therefore, the formation of such a league for, say, West
London, appeals to clubs in that district. I shall be pleased
to assist in any spade work to bring about such a result.
I am, etc.,
E. H. MORLEY,
Shepherd’s Bush Club, W. Hon. Secretary.
Sept. 13, 1912.
Potting Red When Against White on Centre Spot
To the Editor.
The stroke described by your correspondent, Mr. A. E.
Crutch, in the October number of The Billiard Monthly,
viz., to pot the red in the centre pocket when this ball lies
on the centre spot with the object white touching it and
exactly behind it as viewed from the D, is no new discovery;
indeed, it must be nearly as old as the game of billiards
itself. The stroke was shown me nearly thirty years ago by
an old pyramid player who learnt it may years previously
from another player, who in turn was shown it by someone
else.
I may mention that the stroke is illustrated and described
in the fourth volume of my work “Billiards: The Strokes of
the Game”page 328, diagram 407published in 1907.
From the same placing of the balls the red may also be
potted from positions above the centre spot. Such a stroke
also illustrated in my bookappears to those who have not
seen it before still more wonderful than the pot from the D.
Riso LEVI.
Don’ts for Amateurs
To the Editor.
I enclose an admirable list of “Don’ts for Amateurs,”
which I thought you might like to insert in your next issue.
Many billiard rooms in this part of England are frequented
by men who are either perpetually whistling or humming
their favourite tune. This is certainly not conducive to
good billiards and is in my opinion very bad form, or shall
we say that it is done thoughtlessly or for a want of knowing
better? If someone would suggest a good remedy it
would certainly be a great blessing.
A LOOKER ON OF THE GAME.
many others in The Billiard Monthly. One way to prevent
whistling and interruptions is to play a good game and so
interest the spectators, but we admit that the practices
referred to make good play difficult.Ed., B.M.]
A Few Cue Tips
- If you can afford it, have two cues exactly alike. It may
mean winning your tournament heat instead of losing it. - As in most other pursuits, as much good is accomplished
by the things that are let alone as by those that are accomplished. - For instance, when both object balls are in perfect
losing hazard position, why break them up for a cannon
with its uncertain results. - In brushing the table, use the brush much more lightly
under the top and bottom cushions than under the side
ones, as the brushing is now across the nap and heavy
treatment soon leaves marks. - When an almost straight run-through has to be made it
is a good plan to get the cue dead straight and then deflect
it ever so slightly. There is no definite point of aim for
this stroke, unless a 1/32 off the centre can be called definite. - It is a moot point whether, in very fine in-offs into a
somewhat blind pocket, the use of side does not tend to
sacrifice more in accuracy of aim than it gains in pocket
enlargement. Try both ways for twenty consecutive strokes
and abide by the result. - It is good billiards never to choose the easy cannon when
an in-off or pot will set up another equally favourable position. - Only the best players know where the balls will be
after a cannon, but the poorest are soon able to estimate
where they will be approximately after the use of a pocket. - Avoid changing from ivories to composition and vice-versa
unless absolutely necessary, but, if taking part in a tournament,
keep rigidly for some weeks beforehand to the class
of ball that will be there used. Nothing renders a player
more unfit for a serious encounter than the miscarriage of
shots that would have been properly made with the more
familiar medium. - Equal foes to successful play are too strong and too gentle
play. Hard play is the foe to position, and play that is only
gentle without being at the same time firm and discriminating
means covers, balls touching, and all sorts of annoyances. - What is the use, for example, of a gentle wide
cannon with side that merely leaves cue and object ball
almost touching? - In making all-round cannons a great secret lies in rather
fine contact. Not only is the annoying kiss of cue ball and
first object ball avoided, but much less force is required and
the side acts a great deal more freely on the cushions. - In practising straight draw-backs, begin with the balls
near together and with the cue tip only a little below the
centre. As the distance between the balls increases the cue
contact must be lowered, but the great thing in finished
billiards is to ascertain with how little screw, side, top, or
force a stroke can be accomplished, rather than with how
much. - In making a half-ball right-angled screw when the cue
ball is within a foot of the object ball, difference in force
makes no difference in the throw-off of the cue ball, but with
fuller or finer than half-ball contact less and more strength
must be respectively used to obtain the same amount of
deflection.