Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-01-30
HOPPE ON THE THREE:
CUSHION BILLIARDS
Believes Crack BaIk Line Play
ers Would Become Leaders
at the Popular Game.
By Willie Hoppe.

Billiard luck never had a better eX-
emplifcation than it did in the three
cushion match between Fred Eames OF
Boston and Alfredo De Orc of New York
| Could De Orc have won that match the
trophy would have been his permanently
as twice previously he had carved the
word victory on the prize. There is no
denying that Games played a brilliant
game and deserved his victory. 1t was
one of the best games that Eames eve,
played, or any one else, for that matter
Games has always been very proficient at
three cushions. and he certainly has per-
fected his game In a mastery manner
On the other hand, De Orc, with the ex-
ception of the final nights play. never
showed more disappointing game. He
| was out of form and in addition to that
wasted many opportunities in the first
two nights by his safety play. He got
back into his stride in the last night 5
play and played like a champion. But il
| was too late, and he was utterly unable
to overcome the big lead of his oppo-
nent. There is no question that De Orc
and Eames will meet again, and there
will be the greatest interest In the sec
ond contest of these players.
In view OF the present popularity OF
the game of three cushions the views Of
experts on that style OF play become in
teresting. In commenting on the sport
the veteran Maurice DAILY said:
1T appeals to the players, and as a
roomk per, of course, I will cater to it.
OF course. from a scientific standpoint
it is not to be compared to balk line, but
if three cushions continues to become
generally played throughout the country
the possibilities are great. You see, the
number of balk line experts is compare
lively small because of the difficulties OF
mastering the game, and the champion
ship contests are necessarily few and far
between But If three cushions became
the principal game there would be six
champions where there is now but one
at balk line style. In my opinion there
parison between three cushions and balk
line, but if the public makes up its mlno
that three cushions is the game 1t wants,
then the roomkeepers will naturally cater
to that idea. There Is not the silghtest
doubt that if the balk line experts of the
present We're to devote themselves to
three cushions they would easily van
quish the best OF the three cushlonerS
now in tire van of that style of play. l
believe that George Slosson would make
a great record at three cushions, as he is
very good at the angles. Slosson Is stlll
good at balk line, but as mans eyes
grow weak there are many features OF
balk line that he cannot master, While IN
three cushions ne would be at ms oest.
I have a great deal of three cushioning
at my new room, and many Of my pa
irons are playing tournaments which they
arrange themselves
Jack Doyle, at whose parlors many
great three-cushion battles have been
played, is also convinced that there is an
era of three cushions at present, and that
it will have a great run. Mr.. Doyle Is
also of the opinion that the balk line
experts could become so proficient at the
game of triple cushions that the leading
players of that game would have trouble
in retaining their laurels. Mr.. Doyle also
says:
Look at the case Of Poggenburg for
merly amateur balk line champion, who
has taken to three cushions and is MAX
ing it very interesting for all the best
ones in the game
At the same time. there is no question
that pool players like De Orc and Heus-
ton should make good three-cushion men.
They are SO accustomed to making fine
shots in cutting balls into the pockets
that they would find this a great help to
them.
Take one of the shots De Orc made in
the match with Eames. With the red
ball close to the rail on the upper left
about eight inches distant on a straight
line and the cue ball near the cushion on
the opposite rail. he had a hard chance.
That is where he showed how finely he
could cut a ball. If he hit the first OBJ
iect ball too hard 1t would take the side
rail- come back and kiss the red ball
away. But he cut that ball so finely that
it rolled only as far as the side rail and
stayed there. The cue ball took three
cushions like a bird and counted on the
red.
1t is singular how preoccupied players
become In match game. Take the case
of Broadway Alex Smith in his pool
match with Goldman a short time ago.
Smith needed four balls in one hundred
and Goldman fourteen. Goldman missed
and scattered the balls all over the table.
There was considerable betting on the
match, and Smiths hackers had their
bets invested. The cue ball lay in the
center of the table, and 1t was like pick
ing cherries. Smith chalked up, took
careful aim and shot with the nine ball.
Goldman got his fourteen. AS SMITH had
tidy bet on himself to win. there was
no question as to the genuneness of the
error People watching the game had
seen Smith fiddling at the nine ball. but
supposed he was getting the angle.
Billiard enthusiasts will regret to learn
of the illness of George Sutton, which, he
says, affected his play so seriously In the
recent tournament in New York city.
Sutton seems to think he is suffering
from kidney trouble. I sincerely hope
that when we meet in Chicago in March
for the ISL championship Mr.. Sutton will
be in good form, as I should dislike to
win from an opponent not at his best. But
in any event, l hope that Sutton will
have completely regained his health and
finish out his brilliant career IN the world
Of billiards.
The new system of three nights play of
500 points a night, for championship
matches, will receive thorough test in
the matches between Morningstar and
myself in Pittsburg at 1872, and with
Sutton in Chicago at ISL l am confident
that the public will be pleased with the
new plan, and there can be no question
but that the players viii like 1t. Nothing
will be left to luck chance, and the
man who has the greatest endurance and
skill should be declared the winner. One
night OF play Is not fair test, as one
of the players might have an off night
and be unable to play UP to form With
two more nights before him he can go
ahead. and If he possesses skill and cour-
age make up the lost ground.