New-York tribune., 1912-03-10
TO CHANGE POOL RULES
Plan to Leave Last Ball Free at
End of Each Frame.
WOULD MAKE GAME FASTER
De Orc Gives Illustration and Ex-
plains Need for Revising
the Code.

Radical changes are to be made in the
rules governing pocket billiards, the digni-
fed title under which the old game OF pool
Is now being conducted. The most I'M
portant, which has been worked out after
long discussion, will actually make for
continuous game, instead OF what amount
ed TO practically so many individual games
strung together. Alfred De ORC, the cham
pIon: Jerome ]. Keogh and Thomas A.
Hueston are the sponsors for the new
method for which the rules will be changed
at a meeting Of the players to be held this
week
The effect OF the change and it's opera
ton we're illustrated yesterday by De Orc
and Charlie Miller. OF the Brunswick
Balke-Collender Company. The original
pyramid is set up on the table, fourteen
OF the fifteen balls are duly sent to the
pockets by the competitors. the last ball
on the table then remains in its position,
the pyramid again being set up with a
blank ball at the centre Of the base. This
blank ball is removed. and the player
shooting continues from where the cue
ball may happen TO lie.
As was most effectively demonstrated,
such an arrangement does away with all
of the tedious safety which often prevails
at the beginning OF each frame In "A match
at the breaking of the pyramid. IL allows
OF greater rapidity, and De ORC believes
that IL will cause matches TO be played
from 25 TO 10 per cent faster. 1t also In
sures the continuity Of a run, as there Will
not be the old argument as to safety and
breaking Of tho pyramid interruptinS runs,
as is now the case.
De ORC displayed the possibilities Of the
new system He cleared fourteen balls
from the table and maneuvred so skilfully
as to leave the fifteenth ball and the cue
ball in an advantageous position. The
pyramid again being laid out, Dc Orc cut
the fifteenth ball into pocket, and by
cushion carrom so spread the balls that
II was comparatively easy for him to con-
tinue.
'It is a question" remarked the famous
Cuban. whether or not this new style may
not allow Of runs OF too great size That
can only be told under conditions OF actual
such az the coming champion
ship tournament will provide. 1t is my De-
lief that il will not affect the game in this
way II will allow OF much brilliant play
ing. but from experience l have learned
that, even with such freedom at the open
ing OF each pyramid, it is not possible to
get an advantageous position or the M
teenth ball and the cue ball more than 80
per cent Of the time. one thing the change
will bring about will be the elimination OF
many Of the more snowy combination shots.
To compensate for that. however II Will
develop greater accuracy In playing the
long ones. which is the real backbone OF
the game, anyhow"
Another method which was discussed, but
which did not find favor. was the spotting
OF the ball taken from the apex OF the
pyramid upon the spot at the other end OF
the table at the beginning OF each frame
The player having his turn with the cue
ball was to shoot from whatever position
that sphere might lie on the table Several
OF the experts. after trying out this. de-
clared emphatically against 1t. In any case
there Is the prospect of an innovation
which appears likely TO be successful
Although Thomas Hueston did not enter
the professional pocket billiard tournament
to be held in Philadelphia this month for
the national championship, he is now In
that city. The former holder Of the title
and the conqueror of De Orc went to Phlla-
delphia from Cincinnati last week. lie has
been playing exhibition games and is said
to be In excellent form.