The sun., 1908-01-19
AMATEUR BILLIARDS AT 1872.
Proposal Raises standard Of GAmo as
Played In This Country.


The announcement that the forthcoming
international amateur billiard matches will
be decided at 1872 balk line, by suggestion
OF the Federation des Societies FRANCHISES
des Amateurs Billiard. brings the amateurs
upon the high plane so long held by the pro-
fessiOnals The change from the usual l4:2
balk line, hitherto considered the high point
Of the Amateurs' ability. fOreshadows q
change in the method OF deciding future
national championships. The additional four
inches OF margin to all OF the balk spaces
demands greater accuracy OF execution and
delicacy Of touch.
No matches or tournaments have been de-
cided before by amateurs at this style in
this country. Such prominent amateurs a.
Edward W. Gardner. Wilson p. Foss, Martin
Mullen. J. Ferdinand Poggenburg. Calvin
game. but really with the view OF establish
ing greater accuracy for the I4:2 tournaments
They agr go that the prospect OF playing the
advanced style In competition 10 apt TO act
q nd belgian players have been competing at
ls:2 since 1904 they are far more advanced
ReRolie and the Comte de Dree at this
moment ap pear to have an advantage. IL Is
a matter OF encouragement TO the Americans
that the lnteTnationals will not he decided
until the last OF April. That will AFFORD
ample time for preparation; The handicap
the Frenchmen will be contesting In . foreign
country under climatic and other changes
new TO them.
All OF the amateurs have begun to practise
the 1872 game, and this appears likely to de-
tract from the performances in the national
championship at Chicago early In March.
Wilson 2. FOss has an agreement with Re
Role for an individual match OF 200 points,
TU p3a.s tsres bas a5Iv st
begun at SlossOn's. and yet in his few games
he has, pied up runs Of ms. 10. sg, 50 and %
AZ his best sessions at the table. His general
average has resulted in a fraction above ~.
Matches to be held in the concert hall Of
the Liederkranz will mark the first inter-
national meeting OF amateurs. SO far a. is
now definitely known the American team viii
include six representatives and the French
open to the world. and efforts are being made
through the French federation TO attract an
The Americans have met the reoommenda-
tlons Of the Frenchmen as set forth IN the
bSd bv sbs Camts de pree
Mt ReRolle has given me the assurance tha, he
cut writing announce In a formal manner his ragtlc
patton only, entertaining. however the fervent
none ~ hnalN deridng some other player 70 aeon
Now fHr the conditions Of the championship which
you have kindly detailed IN your last letter. ON
First-The date OF the championship. u would
OfADr rather than al the end OF March so that the
PLAYERS whom we would send would be able 70 take
@arcb r. our championship "n''n VIII ''Ae place IN
second The style Of ~ gsms .Ht GstSa;nsd IS GSd
CHAMPIONSHIPS were also played AZ u inch oalk line
Al tnht moment wilson ross Chailcngeu hchOiies
specifying that tho match should be played a. iSnch
baIk line. since then IN France. IN Bel Kium veal
have adopted the IS Inch bAik line, and assure YOU
TINT among our amateurs II would be a surprise TO
learn that the championship now under discussion
will not be played at tire 10 Inch Daik line. which Is
now universally adopted and recognized ~ classic
and regular BY lhe amateurs as well as the pro
fessiOnals.
Thlrd-Tic dimension Of she ball. You m this
81 2at inches. An the tournaments amateur or pro
In size and thou Eht that it was the In America
n would Be SieS,t fSL Ss % accept ine use OF balls
am convinced that We cane easily arrive at mu
tual understanding on these points. and should be
pleased 20 have an early reply from YOU.