New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-05-05
POOL PLAYERS IND THEIR SKILL.

rpr RECENT GAMES IN THIS cITY-soAB
POINTS ABOUT THE CONTESTANTS
Pool does not possess many Of the scienunc features
OF billiards. yet II is popular with large ci~ss VI
Brookyn's well-kno citizens. The game mas oeen
xrowtng In interest for several years, ana tefe se
moro pool tables in the city to-day than there ever
were before 1t is decidedly more of game OF chance
than billiards and science occasionally mas 10
give way to "luck,' As the players express IT. The
game has. however advanced to 9 scientific code OF
rules since 1t was originated Until within the last
sea. or two stXty-one points constituted game, INC
balls being numbered from one TO fifteen. Then
pyramid pool came into vogue and the person VINO
made eight Of fifteen ivory balls disappear into
the pockets the game This was well enough
for amateurs, but It hardly suited the requirements
Of the expert players.
In the recent tournament in New-fork, where all
the best pool players Of the country were brought
together, another change was made II was called
continuous pool" and consisted Of game Of 100
points EACH each ball being poekeod counting ons
point Even this was not found Of sufficient length 10
test tho skin Of the men, for three OF the men
{" ted for first honOs, Frey, De Orc and Malone
These played of the ties for the championship al
Days Assembly Rooms. The game was on the
piaciple that played two weeks before
m Hardman's Hall New-York except that 300 points
counted a game instead OF 100.
1t generally acknO wledged that the changes have
elimr ated the element of chance The three experts
who amused Brooklyn people recently were prob
Sbly the best pool players in the world Alfred NJ Frey
who died few days ago was the most remarkable
player Of The three BE known the boy
Wonder and looked 10 be about twenty years old
when his brow did not show trouble or illness. He
was twenty Night years old, and had been champion
for FIVE years. Frey was small wiry and gentle
manly, and q general fsvorte with the public. lie
was q marvel and full Of pluck and nerve
He was always calm, and when he saw a chance to
mako q count he did not hesitate instant He did
not Ike long table shot; In fact few experts do.
Alfred De Orc is generally called Balbo, and is a
wealthy Cuban OF about the same age as Frey was
He Is dashing PLAYER and in spite Of habit Of talk
SDe too much Is fsvorite with the spectators he IS
full OF Me and spirits and when cautioned BY has
frfsnds, .Thats may way. cawn't help IT. Hs
speaks En- glish Spanish. French and italian fuentiy
De Orc plays at terrific pare, and frequently calls
the second ball before no has pocRsed the ono he
shooting at , IT,
n too dsiiSer.te however which may account for hf'
jSck OF popularity with the onlookers He Is unusn
ally skilfu In safety and posi- don PLAYS and woulc
taSn any legitimate advantage he could over his op
ponsnts Clearwater was beaten In the New orr
tournament and did not play IN Brooklyn He is
enrly he aded youth and in . few wears seems nkely
h contr ues TO improve, to be the champion OF ht
country. He Is green yet but With more expeS1enct
6e Win be q pool wonder, Jere weinberg tbe BROOK
I'm Abe Hummel, referee ut most OF Inc gamet
dunng tho last tournament