BILLIARDS.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume XVII, Issue 1004, 3 June 1909, Page 11

BILLIARDS.

Cecil Harverson made his record break of 505 on the 6th ult. against Harry Stevenson in the Grand Hall, Leicester Square. Stevenson was conceding a start of 4000 points in 18,000 for £2OO, and at half-way the scores stood; Harverson 9184, Stevenson 79 55. The champion made breaks of 232, 209, 237, 297, 295, 238, 222, and 231, besides a number of centuries. Harverson made a number of century breaks besides his record break mentioned.

“ Old man ” Roberts is going strong as ever, and the weight of his 62 years does not appear to hinder him giving long starts to his juniors and then winning with fine billiards. He conceded W. Pindar a start of 3000 in 9000 and won by no less than 1496 points. Roberts made many runs over the hundred, and also 221, 367, 219, 201, and 246. Pindar made many century breaks.

According to “Snooker” of the Sydney Referee, Inman once met a player who had travelled and seen a lot and invited him to his room to play a game. The visitor lost, and in putting on his coat remarked, “You don’t play a bad game, but you see I was handicapped. I’ve been used to playing on a much bigger table than that.” This was a bit of a surprise to Inman, considering the table was a full-sized one, but he proved equal to the task, and replied, without turning a hair, “ Oh, this isn’t my proper billiard table you know; it’s merely a card table. I’ve lent my proper table to Dr. Grace and others to play a cricket match on.”

Here is a real clever ten-shot. Few men would attempt to play it in an important game, but if you ever wish to bring the “ house down,” when engaged in an exhibition of ordinary game, by all means play it, that is, of course, providing the balls are in the position for the stroke, i.e., the red ball against the left-hand shoul-

der of the left-hand middle pocket, the white just hanging over the top left corner pocket, and the cue-ball on or near the centre spot, between the two middle pockets. Aim at half of the red ball, striking fairly hard, with left-hand side on —your ball kisses the red in, and, hugging the cushion, makes the cannon and, on pocketing the white, follows in after it.

The many friends of “Jimmy” Anderson, who was for some time in charge of the Zealandia Billiard Saloon in Custom-street, will be glad to hear that he has taken over the Victoria saloon in Wellesley-street. Those who indulge in the game can rely on receiving every attention at the hands of “Jimmy.”

On Saturday evening I had occasion to visit the Newton Billiard Saloon, in Karangahape Road, and while there met Mr. T. C- Bragge, who recently received a challenge from Mr. Reid, of Wellington, to play for the professional billiard championship of New Zealand. Asked if there was any likelihood of the match eventuating, Mr. Bragge said he did not think so. “ You see,” he said, “ Mr. Reid stipulates that the championship be played for on an Alcock table, but this I will not agree to —not that I have anything against the table. Far from it; in fact, I should be more at home on an Alcock, because I was connected with the firm for many years. I have just returned from Wellington, where I saw Mr. Reid, and informed him that I should be willing to play on any table but an Alcock, but as he appears to be very firm in this particular, there is, as I said before, not much chance a match.”

So far as I can gather, there has never yet been a match for the professional championship of New Zealand, and a series of matches amongst the best professional players in the dominion would undoubtedly create a good deal of interest. With regard to the condition of Mr. Reid in specifying an Alcock table in his challenge to Mr. Bragge, I do not think he is quite fair when the matter is looked into. There are various other makes of tables, and as Mr. Bragge will play on any but an Alcock, he only bars one, while his opponent objects to every other make. However, let us hope that difficulty will be negotiated and some arrangement arrived at between the parties.

The highest break (with use of ‘cradle” cannon) is held by T. Reece, who made 262,135 in England in June, 1907.

* * * * Why did the line ball ? —’Cause it saw the cue rest. Next please.

SOLITAIRE OR TABLE GOLF. (By Harry Butler.) Without doubt this is the finest game to play by oneself. It teaches strength, angles, position, caution, and winning hazards, is amusing, and makes a good round game, not taking too long. Place the red ball on the spot in the middle of the table. The game is to pocket it in every pocket of the table in order, commencing with the left hand top corner pocket, and working round to the right, finishing at the left hand middle pocket. You play with a white ball, starting from baulk. The red is replaced on middle spot each time after being pocketed, but the white ball is played from wherever it stops. The rules for a pool game are: A miss counts two strokes; if the white ball goes into a pocket, it is a burst, i.e., your

chance is over (unless you star the same as in pool proper), or if the red goes into the wrong pocket. It can also be played by spotting the red on the billiard spot, but is about three strokes more difficult; or it can be played three times round the table, making an eighteen-hole course, as in golf. If there are more than two players it is well to put a limit to the number of strokes each player may make before being compelled to retire. If once round, say 16 shots; making the handicap more or less according to the calibre of your players. Of course, the one who does it in the fewest number of strokes wins. You can always bring good and bad players together by allowing a few strokes. Charge the same as pool.