New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-28
APPARENTLY N0
WAY TO DEFEAT
WILLIE HOPPE
Balkline Champion Stand,
Far Above All His
Competitors,

prizes offered for balk.lins hsgglh
events is q problem that is s,s,a':
the mental faculties Of promo.' .'s'a,
billiard tournaments and billis,s .
thusiasts in general. The carss,lS. e
ranged handicap which goyerrs? ~
1872 tournament held at the mnsis II '
of the New York Theatre BuS.I
November 10 TO %, inclusive. wa. ~.
lessly disarranged By the perforr,..., ~
of the champion.
Reviewing that tournament Ch,,
p. Miller, vice-president Of the r..
wick alke-Collender Company. .a
lowing 10 the superlative woys :,
Hoppe and the mediocre playing az -
other five contestants, interest Va,
sustained. When Hoppe played "A. y, !.
tendanees were large. The 49,.
games were not attractive. Tn, H..
dicap. designed to give every play,, :.
equal chance and 70 produce a..
contests, was made 10 appear ridi,'
lous.
"The result. however. does M, a,
tablish that the handicap system 1, ,
failure. II is the only system La,
which a balk-line tournament betvs.
professionals can at present BE- u,.
sibly conducted.
1--WE gave $4,000 to this hsndiesv n.
fair. We would not give s25 to hi,
about tournament in which sa.,
American players would have 10 CO...
pete against Hoppe on even term, IA
even consider such project would y
absurd. This proposition is enuI,
sized by the record Of the recent srs
of games. The exhibitions give, \
Slosson, Sutton and Yamads were n.
ticularly disappointing.
1--WE did not expect much from N,r.
er and Cochran, because II was M,
first experience in championship ,or.
pany. Nevertheless, Cochran ers
off second prize, Sutton was the osy
one Of the five who had a chance !,
beat Hoppe. lie had that chane, ".
cause the champion was in poor stro.s
The opportunity was presented and !.
was not equal to il.
"What impressed me more than an
thing else during the tournament Va,
the continuous effort OF Hoppe to la,.
the cue ball on the right edge Of Il,
second object ball. IL seemed 10 Y,
that he never ceased making that eror.
When the balls were wide spar, \,
endeavored TO execute IL. When h,
balls were at one end Of the table \,
geneyally succeeded. His work was IN
telligent, resourceful and constructive
with the exception OF the run ..
1853 by Sutton, one Of III by Ysn,i
and the average OF 20 by Cochran, ID,
methods Of the other player, w,,
generally destructive, featured n
safety tactics and sacrifices OF five,
able positions. Had Hoppe played I.
similar style, would he have mad. o..
average of SO 1-3 and new high ~,
record of 30s?"
"What manner Of player will "
have TO get to beat Hopper" 1fr
question was discussed one eyerir;
last week at the Liederkrsnz by nur
Der Of gentlemen who take an retr'
interest in billiards. One OF the psrT
was ]. Ferdinand Poggenburg, vh'
holds the American emblem OF int.rns'
tiona. Champ. onship at 1872 bak-llns
His opinion follows:
"First-We will have to find an "
telligent young man who is in lo'a
with billiards and eomprehends y
principles involved in the science 7
the game.
Second Such a young man n9
be industrious and must practise I'll
gently.
"Third-He must acquir. exseuts
corresponding to that Of Hoppe.
Fourth lie must have a good pm
ioue and keep himself in perfect phI'
zeal condition, as Hoppe does.
"Finally- must be as tempt'''
in every respect as Hoppe is.
Among the many ladies VINO III
messed the record breaking run OF I'll
was Mrs. George Clay, Of Plaina't
n. J.. who accompanied her huso''s
70 the final game Of the tournsnss.
Mr. CLAW has a billiard table IN y
home where he and his wife engsr
games nearly every evening VIZ, ~.
Mrs CLAY was enthusiastic over W
wonderful playing she had witness witness.
she could not repress her admHsv .,
of Hoppe's appearance and action q,
agile and graceful carriage, hs e''s
skin and bright eyes caused nn
pronounce him an ideal ensmP'0"
an ideal game. -, n. c,.v AID
A few days ago. whie MI -. M,
a friend were commenting upon .
Vaccinations Of the game W.
marked that the apparent slmpns,H
il when played by experts Wss ps ,.r,
larly fascinating. THAT IS eSsp,i' I,
ing" was the prompt respohs "
third person.