The New York herald., 1869-04-27
TEE GRAND BILLIARD TOURNAMENT.

The Contest for the ChampiOnship-Initia
Game Between Henry Rhines, Of Chicago,
and Melvin Foster, of New YOrk-F0ster
the Winner by Eighty.nine Points.
Tie great contest for the billiard championship OF
the world, over which the bilardlsts this side Of
the Atlantic have been all agog for the past six
months was inauguraed last evening at Irving Hall
under the most encouraging auspices. There was a
large attendance OF the lovers Of the game. who
witnessed some really magnificent playing be-
tween Mr.. Henry Rhines OF Chicago, and
Mr. Melvin Foster, OF this city. There are
eight contestants for the supremacy Of the
cue the winner OF the greatest number Of games
during the tournament to he declared the champion
OF the world and to receive the handsome champion
cue which is q splendid piece OF workmanship. It
Is twenty-four inches in length, OF solid ivory,
the point being large diamond estimated to be
worth $40. The cue Is heavily inlaid with pearl
and bound with solid gold, while the gold trimmings
studded with pearls, amethysts and other pre-
cous stones representing in color the four billiard
balls The butt Of the cue Is set of with the repre-
sentation OF an American eagle, engraved on d ne
tortoise SHE'LL It is valued at $500.
The game, OF which there will be twenty-eight,
exclusive Of ties, was the American carrom game,
played on standard table and consisting OF ], 200
p6onibited, and carroms on the white and red balls
counting three points, as though made on the two
Fss @ sens 5 S o COUNTING rse s
Playing commenced shortly after eight O'Clock
amid profound silence Mr. Tieman acting as re-
feee and call Judge and am ina lasted sao MI twelve
won the choice OF shot. and Jet Mr.
Foster lead or which was done by that gentle.
man fine style. and ended IN a run OF 80. This
was followed by failure to count on the part of Mr.
Rhines, and another run by Foster OF "a. Another
miss by Mr. Rhines was followed by another run Of
by 81 Foster who again LETT the balls sale inside the
"str.ng," and again did Mr.. Rhines fail to score.
another miss to leave them safe. The game at
this point stood, Foster 90, Rhines 8, which latter
were scored by the misses and pockets OF
Foster. Rhines then made his first count
and by skilful play got the red balls In the lower
Of the table and succeeded IN scoring eighty
seven. This really Mr.. Rhines' first good oppor-
tunity to count, and he showed himself perfect
master OF the cue. Both players were cool aud eau
tous, and from beginning TO end the game was one
OF much interest. The mace was frequently brought
into requisiti0n and some nice shots were made
with 1t by both players. Alter number OF small
counts on either side the was called and
stood, the even innings Rhines 275; Foster. 16s
Rhines kept gradually creeping ahead OF his 0ppo-
nen and after the first 500 points had been turned
the game stood. on the even innings, Rhines o22 20
Fosters 500. ON the thIty-fourth innings Rhines
made a run OF l47, maSing the score Rhine, 7o6;
Foster, $685. On the thirty seventh innings tine
stood Rhines $50 to Fosters $780, The game
here changed In favor OF Foster, who made q
series OF long runs, as f0low5.-l5g. 1885,
100. while his opponent scarcely made any.
Foster was now pu ling upshandsomey, and on the
f0rty-sXth innings the game stood Rhnes 9A 70
Fosters SJ9 Alter some more skilful playing ON
the part OF Foster he succeeded IN overiaullng hs
opponent, the score standing on the nfty-first
innil2s Foster 1,0l0 Rhlnes l,O07. The game from
this out was very exciting and eventually resulted
Ia favor Of Foster, who went out ahead OF his OPP
ponent 80 points, the score standing Foster 1,2J0
to hhines 1,Ull The largest runs made during the
game were 100 by Foster and Rhines $50.