The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1918-01-28
Sporting NeUS
HOPPE Tells
ESSENTIALS OF
ROAD TO TITLE
Balk-line Billiard Marvel
To Give Exhibition in
Fargo Wednesday

let me say in the first place that
it Is not impossible for any young
player to become worlds champion,
says William II. Hoppe, balk-line bill
Hard champion of the world, who Is 20
play exhibition games in Fargo at
o'clock in the afternoon and O'CLOCK
in the evening Wednesday, Jan. 80.
1T is not easy, perhaps. It requires
work; lots of work, 1t takes patience
because you must master yourself. And
81 takes a clean life You can't make
q hair-line shot IL you dissipate. Clean
living is the most essential to the one
at the top in billiards.
''Ty Cobb and Hal Chase had to
work hard to get where they are in
baseball. They could not maintain
their wonderful eyes IL they dissipat-
ed. Benny Leonard is a boxing cham-
pion and he got there by taking care
of himself in the proper manner. Bill
lizards Is a game that calls for the
iron nerve, the physical endurance
and the infinite patience even more
than any other sport.
Personally, 1 believe was q born
billiard player, and that my present
predicament of being without any
competitors is due to the fact that my
natural inclination to the game has
been supplemented by years of IN
ceasing practice-and more practice-
plus careful training. It is q cont
monty known fact that neither Ives
or Schaefer ever took the proper care
of himself They took things easy
and enjoyed themselves.
Plenty Room Mt Top.
IT claim that there are more good
billiard players in the country today
than there were when started, but L
believe there Is plenty OF room at the
top. Those in the front rank, IL may
be allowed to exclude myself, have
not reached the standard set by those
two old timers-Iyea and Schaefer.
Biy scores at balk-lins speak for
themselves. ss7v~ So
Il think ives and schaefer were bet
ter players than the group rated just
below me, but / am confident that
there are hundreds Of good players
today. when they were scores but
few years ago. However, there Is
big difference between being a good
player and a champion. TIL try to tell
OF this later.
Benjamin Great Missionary.
81 think credit for the tremendous
advancement Of the game IL due to r.
3. Benjamin, my energetic manager,
who is a wonderful missionary Tor
billiards. He is always elevating the
game, curbing the rowdy element and
putting billiards where IL belongs 80
the pastime of a gentleman.
There are som any ways that the
ordinary player can improve his game,
technique. Then start praetieing.
Learn the draw shot. Practice this
faithfully. Next learn to control the
balls. Take up the simple cushion
carom. Master the nurses and always
practice, practice, practice. / spend
four or I'VE hours at the table every
day.
should Master Passions.
rive seen plaA ers miss an easy
shot. and swing the cue around In
anger Some quit the game in hum
when a draw goes wrong. But master
your passions. The beginner should
play with nonchalance. Don't start
with balk-line. Take up straight rail.
That is a grand game for any one.
watch experts play whenever pos
sible. To play good billiards IL Is neees-
sary 20 see good billiards. Do you
think q ball player would star IL he
never say his rivals in action7 Ger
tainly not You must see the fine
points demonstrated. Try some Of the
shots you see yourself.
Think-Uae Your BFainH.
use your brains. Think before
you shoot. Headwork Is essential. IL
you have an important match ahead
train for IL. / always diet carefully
I avoid sweets. drink neither comee
nor tea, and. never smoke. These
things are detrimental to my nerves,
hence affect my game.
I'm always glad to meet the anna
tours. They are the backbone Of the |
game. Maybe one of them will be my /
some day"