A Game) with Apparatus for Playing the same.
Year: 1886

page_text: Date of Application, 31st July, 1886.
Complete Left, 25th Apr., 1887.
Complete Accepted, 1st July, 1887.
A New Game (to be Played somewhat after the Manner of Billiards)
with Apparatus for Playing the same.
I WILLIAM HENRY RYVES, Steward of the "Woodside Club," Woodside Hall,
Woodside Park, North Finchley, Middlesex do hereby declare the nature of this
invention to be as follows:-
This Game is played by means of 'cues' and ivory balls upon an octagonal table
the full size being six feet (6 feet) between the cushions of any two opposite, or
parallel, sides and the 'bed' thereof to be of wood, slate, polished metal, or plate-glass
perforated, or pierced with eight (8) holes equi-distant from each other and twelve
(12) inches from each of the eight (8) angles the calibre of each hole to be sufficient
at least one eighth () of an inch larger in the diameter than the balls for play-
(The dimensions of the Table, balls and holes may be proportionately diminished).
Each hole has a circular rim, or ring, of metal surrounding it let into the 'bed' and
level with the surface of the Tableto prevent wear, or injury to the edges (marked
A on plan).
Beneath the 'bed' from every hole there is an inclined tube, or channel, to receive
the balls as they drop through and carry them downwards into the 'pockets,' or nets,
fixed to the four (4) alternate panels below the 'bed' of the table-(marked B and
C on plan).

page_text: COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
A New Game (to be Played somewhat after the Manner of Billiards)
with Apparatus for Playing the same.
I WILLIAM HENRY RYVES of Woodside Club-House, Woodside Park, North
Finchley in the County of Middlesex, Steward of the aforesaid Club-house, do hereby
declare the nature of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed,
to be particularly described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
The Game is played upon a Table octagonal in shape the full size being six feet
(6 feet) between the cushions of any two opposite, or parallel, sides and the 'bed'
thereof of wood slate or any suitable material being perforated or pierced in (8) eight
holes equi-distant from each other and exactly (12 in.) twelve inches distant from each
of the (8) eight angles the calibre of each hole to be of sufficient diameter (at
least th) one eighth of an inch larger than the diameter of the balls which may vary
in sizes from (2 inches) two inches (24 in.) two and a quarter inches: but the said
dimensions of the Table and the balls and the holes may be proportionately enlarged
or diminished according to the space or room available. The bed' of the Table is
covered in cloth (like an ordinary Billiard Table) and the eight (8) holes through the
'bed' thereof have each a circular rim or ring with an inner casing or tube of metal
boxwood or other material surrounding each orifice level with the surface of the cloth
to protect and preserve it from wear and tear. Beneath the 'bed' of the Table to
every hole there is a separate inclined or curved channel of bentwood metal or
india-rubber tubing attached by metal caps and screws to the 'bed' and also to the
correspondent holes in the side panels of the table to receive the balls as they drop
through the holes in the 'bed' and are carried downwards by their own gravity into
the nets or pockets positioned to receive them the said nets being upheld by
semi-circular metal supports affixed to each alternate panel with openings to allow the
balls to be taken therefrom with facility-The method or manner of playing or
performing the Game is, as follows:-
'
There must be three (3) balls either black white and red, or red, white and
spot-white respectively.
The object of the Game is to obtain (41) forty one points with two (2) players or
(61) sixty one points with four (4) players-When (4) four persons play they join in
partnership two and two the opponents taking their 'cues' alternately."
Play is made by striking a ball propelled by means of a 'cue' against another ball
upon the table and to endeavour to hole' or put down the ball or balls so struck
without the player at the same time holing his own in any of the eight (8) holes.
When the Red, or King ball, is holed it counts (2) two to the striker.
When the opponents ball is holed it counts (1) one to the striker.
If a player moves his own ball or another inadvertantly before striking or otherwise
it is a foul stroke & he forfeits his turn.
Should the striker's ball miss the others it counts (1) to his opponent.

page_text: A ball sent off the Table by a player without striking any other counts (2) two to
the opposite side.
If a ball flies off the table after striking another all points made are forfeited-
Players continue until they cease to make points.
When a player 'holes' his own ball together with any other he loses his stroke and
forfeits all. If a player 'holes' his own ball and no other it counts one point against
him. Any player's ball 'holed,' or netted, remains in the 'net' until the representative
needs it.
The "Start"
may be made from either of the four (4) outside spots which are
placed equi-distant between every two (2) holes.
The players' ball when 'netted' is to be placed upon the outside 'spot' nearest the
'net' from which taken.
In any other case a ball is played from the position in which it remains for the time
being the points made are scored' on a usual marking-board.
Though two balls are touching it does not affect the play.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said Invention
and in what manner the same is to be performed I declare that what I claim is :-
(1) I.-The manner or method of performing and playing the Game.
(2) II.-The construction of the Table-bed.
(3) III.-The use of holes pierced through the 'bed.'
(4) IV. The position of the 'nets,' or pockets, below the 'bed.'
(5) V.-The curved channels, or tubes for conveying the balls to the 'nets.'
Dated this 23rd day of April Anno Domini 1887.