Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-03-18
NEW DEPARTURE IN
CONTINUOUS POOL
After Opening Stroke No
Breaking of Frames From
Inside the String.

Professional pocket billiards, as it will
be played in the tournament for the ma
tiOnal championship. to be held in Horti-
cultural Hall. Philadelphia, from March
% TO April 6. inclusive. will present q new
departure from what was heretofore des-
ignated continuous pool. Excepting on
what will probably be rare occasions
after the opening stroke Of each contest
there will be no breaking Of frames from
inside the string. Furthermore, there will
be no more full pyramids of fifteen balls
The Brunswick-Balke Company
promoters of the event. have decided to
adopt for it the scheme of ending op-
erations on each frame when fourteen
balls have been pocketed. This decision
was reached after a series Of expert
mental tests Of the possibilities Of the
innovation.
That it will make pocket billiards more
speedy than the game has been since the
calling Of balls and pockets was intro
duced Is assured. 1t not only permits
but compels player who has pocketed
the fourteenth ball to maneuver for an
advantageous position from which to re-
sumo operations on the next frame. II
clever strategist, such player will be
able to leave the fifteenth ball and the
cue ball in relative positions that will
enable him to pocket the object ball and
make the cue ball carrom on the frame
and burst 1t, thus providing opportunities
Tor the further exercise of his skill. That
this style Of game will probably result
In the making Of larger runs than have
been recorded and also shorten the time
OF contests Is believed.
objections to the scheme have been
made by both amateur and professional
experts at pocket billiards, but they will
not avail. 1t will be given a practical
.riai that viii develop whether it is ad-
vancement or retrogression. Some indi-
v1duals assert that ii gives the player
who pockets a fourteenth ball. by either
skill or good fortune, an undue advan-
tage. inasmuch as 1t affords him one
chance to score a point and endeayor TO
scatter the pyramid or play for safety
and tie up" his opponent Alfredo De
ORC. who at one time favored the change,
does not do so now. II am convinced, :"
SAID he. that the old break is the better.
"nen. on the opening shot. player has
TO play from the string il he succeeds in
making stroke that complies with the
rules and effects a good safety specta-
tors become enthusiastic. Then interest
IS increased when the opponent studies
his chances for a favorable stroke and
if he figures out and elects to try a COM
bination there is a thrill and suspense
for observers that cannot be produced
by any other feature of a game In my
judgment the old method holing fifteen
balls and safety leads at the opening OF
F frames. will be found the better and more
interesting. l may be mistaken, but ]
believe II will come back"
The playing rules formerly governing
continuous pool will apply In contests for
the new championship in all cases where
they do not conflict with amendments
designed to define and regulate the style
of game 20 be played. and to make more
explicit the definition Of FOULS together
with the procedure to be followed when
they happen.