New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1912-01-14
CUE BATTLE AT ASTOR
Hoppe to Defend His Title
Against George Sutton.
BETTER PLACE FOR IVORY
Slosson Tells of His Experience
Abroad and of Duel That
Was Not Fought.

The next professional billiard match OF
Importance will be decided in the ballroom
Of the Hotel Astor on February I. II VIII
be the second contest within a few mon'hs
between Willie Hoppe. the worlds cham-
pion, and George Sutton for the 49, paiK-
line title. Sutton was previously dlsap-
pointed by his showing against Hoppe III
the match played at the concert hall III
Madison Square Garden on November rs.
ON that occasion he played far below his
practice form, and was beaten by 500 points
to 234
Hoppe played none too well, and both
attributed their poor work TO the temper
ature of the concert hall. which affected
the ivory balls and reduced their resiliency
Believing that he could do much better
under suitable conditions, Sutton promptly
challenged again.
The selection of the ballroom of the Hotel
Aston for the coming match Is considered
happy one by both professional and anna
teur lovers Of billiards. 1t is pronounced
an ideal place for the best possible exposi-
ton of the game. Provisions for regulating
the temperature and ventilation are said 10
be almost perfect, and there is reason TO
expect scientific billiards under normal con-
ditions. marked by high runs and averages.
To Albert A. Troescher belongs the credit
Of making the change. A visit to the ball
room Of the Hotel Aston so impressed him
that he secured the room for February T.
The table. located in the middle Of the
| floor will be surrounded by seats that will
accommodate LOO persons. balcony
around the hall will provide thirty-six boxes
from which a good view of the table can be
had.
| Hoppe is well pleased with the arrange
ments for the match. He will begin prac-
tlce tomorrow at his new quarters. former
" McGraw's Academy. He wanted Calvin
Demarest 10 come here and oppose him in
practice games. but Demarest declined,
saving that such an engagement would be
| improper. nasmuch as he contemplated
| challenging the winner OF the pending
match. Sutton will play In Chicago until
week before the game. He will then come
| to New York and do his final work at
| Maurice Days.
The Brunswick Bake ollender Company
| will make special efforts to have the tables
J Hoppe and Sutton will practise upon and
| tho one TO be furnished for the match as
| nearly alike as possible. Equal care will
be exercised with respect TO the ivory TO he
used to the end that neither player can
! have any valid excuse for an ordinary per-
| Torrance. Unless calculations prove erro-
neous. Sutton will have ample opportunity
to display the position play and exquisite
line work for which he If noted. while
Hoppe's marvellous general execution will
he unrestricted
Speaking NJ the prospective game, George
+. slosson said yesterday:
IT believe the public will be surprised by
the difference between the coming game
and the last ono between Hoppe and SUIT
ton. I played in two matches and one
| tournament I'm the dining hall Of the Grand
| Hotel Paris. and found the conditions there
| ~ the hest assume that the ballroom OF
the Hotel Astor Will he similarly favorable
I IN good billiards Tho games over there
were uniformly we'll played. Perhaps they
have an advantage with respect TO ivory In
Paris which is "a miles from the sea,
while we are practically at the shore. ivory
is more easily kept I'm good condition there
than here.
"pcoplo will ask why billiard champions
do NOT pIay so we'll in matches as they do
: In praCtCF. w ell, inc publlN H'A''hhS ''''
M conception OF what real artists have 10
contend against with chilled ivory on colo
table. A slight draft. that might be en-
! iowa bic 10 a spectator watching a game OF
| billiards. will change the quality or the
| ivory in use. warp and crack II and destroy
the confidence OF the players. Ivory Is the
most sensitive and distressing substance a
| billiard player or roomkeeper has TO han
die The recent changes Of temperature
have injured and perhaps ruined four new
sets that have been used only few times
in my room.
Each Of the three matches at the Grand
Hotel in which | participated developed
! sensational incidents The first was on Janu-
ary 20 and 81 and February |. and 3, lsS.
] Vignaux was my opponent, and we played
| ZOO points at the champions game. IL by
rs lines. for the championship OF the world.
! Giblin was the referee. When | hnished
nv last inning / had rs to 60 Nignaux
then PLAYED until he got within 20 points
Of out He missed by half an inch. and
| left the balls right on the rail-, Where l
| could hardly have failed to make y. lie
went 10 his seat but. in response to shouts
NJ Won counted and Claim that shot. ne
rushed back TO the table and grabbed my
| cuo az | was about 10 shoot. Appealing
IN GIblin. he was answered, You did not
count
"Epcouraged by excited Frenchmen, Wig
raux grabbed my cue a second time. Then
nandemonium reigned for fifteen minutes,
while frenzied Frenchmen screamed at Glib
lin You are a rascal" You are no French
mani You shall not live in Paris" and
other ordinations OF like import. Giblin
6nalIv weakened. First he said he did not
GOO the shot. Then. turning to Vignaux, he
said. Yes. you counted Vignaux crowded
me away from the table and hnished the
game in a tumult OF excitement
"In December of the same year | again
mot vignaux at the champions game, Is by
| rs lines. | beat him AZ In 5000 points WIN
an average of a shade under 40. he ran
2a4 and 3aS The referee was NJ. Rondeau'
| cIubman. a dueIlist and a fine amateur
billiard player. Vignaux tried bulldozing
tactics. but they did not go. After the
game he said to Rondeau: You are hog'
YOU are no Frenchman you do not belong
! In Paris; I wish you to never speak 10
m.r Rondeau looked angry. but mace no
reply ,,,u
'The next day he sent his card to VIZ
| naux. That meant a duel Vignau1 con-
temptuously tore UP the card. When hoh-
deau heard what Vignaux had done ne
sought him. Finding Vignaux seated at
table IN the Grand Cafe. Rondeau took OH
a glove and with it slapped Vignauxs face,
remarking, You know what that means
Vignaux knew and remained silent. he
weighed go pounds and Rondeau 225.
THE scores of that game were bulletlned
on the front OF the Grand Hotel, and tweh-
ty thousand persons watched the bulletins
| ON the final night a hundred gendarmes