The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-05-03


can play such billiards is probably only
one in name. In billiards nowadays
many of the so-called amateurs are men
OF wealth who devote more time and
attention to the game than do the pro-
fessional players.
Billiards is not and probably never
will be, a popular game in the generally
accepted sense OF the term. The reason
for this is not hard to find. It is too diff
cult to master, takes much time, pa
thence, and natural ability, both mental
and physical, to make really good
player. Furthermore, to become ex-
pert at the game it seems that one
must begin TO play when quite young;
instances of celebrated players not be-
ginning their practice when very youth
full are extremely rare.
Most games of skill can be learned
and marked degree of proficiency &C
CURED in a few years In billiards. I'M
less there be some natural aptitude
one may play for a lifetime without at
tanning gratifying results. These diff
culties, however. while they may pre-
vent the game from attaining to very
wide popularity among those who are
looking for something easy" only
serve to increase its fascination for
those who are its confirmed devotees.
Although one of the oldest games We
know of, the average" players skill
is anything but great, at the apparently
very simple task of striking two ivory
balls with a third. This basis for bill
lizards, simple as it is gives room for
the utmost variations of speed and
delicacy of touch. There is no game
combining both the mental and physical
elements as does billiards. which re-
quires so much intelligence and acute
ness of perception and accuracy OF exc
cution, and there is no form OF contest
which more thoroughly tests con-
testant's GOODNESS and Judgment. Nerv-
business or a tendency to become rat
tied" has a disastrous effect upon the
efforts of any contender.
A Game of Intuition.
One often hears it said that billiards
is a very scientific" game. This may
be true with regard to the fundamental
ideas behind the shots, but so far as
the player is concerned, billiards is
more game of intuition than one of
set and rigid rules and calculations A
good player, after he has mastered the
elementary technique of the game,
feels" how the shots should be made;
he does not play by mechanical force
A great deal might be written about
billiards, but space alone prevents.
cannot, however close without referring
to an editorial on the fate of a faded
billiard player" which appeared recent
ly in a New York paper a few months
ago. During the course of the article,
which pictured the decay of a once
famous player, the writer took occasion
to refer TO the game of billiards as
frivolous and childish pastime." Apart
from the gross Misrepresentation and in
accuracy of statement, which prevailed
the whole article in question. the terms
frivolous" and childish which were
applied to the game are singularly in
appropriate and absurd The class OF
people which plays billiards is sufh-
cient REPUTATION of the charge of friyol
ity, unless the term be applied 10 every
thing that is not absolutely necessary 10
existence.
We hope to see big local revival in
billiards; il merits it; high-class and
fascinating game it deserves the atten-
ton of all those who like contest
where skill and intelligence go to make
up a very refneds amusement.
THREE CUSHIONS"