10.—" I shall be obliged if you will explain the second 'Cue Tip' in your No. 2 issue of December, as I cannot understand it: 'The point of aim in screw and tight cushion kiss strokes is where two lines at equal angle converge from the cue ball to the objective.' 'Two lines at equal angle '—at equal angle to what other line? It can't be to one another, as they can only form one angle. 'Two lines at equal angle converge from the cue ball.' From what parts of the cue ball do these converging lines start? 'Objective'—does this mean the third ball?'
The aim in fuller than half-ball screw and tight cushion strokes is on the surface of the object ball on an imaginary line drawn from its centre, which bisects the angle made by two other lines converging upon such centre from the centres of the cue ball and the second objective.
11.—"What is the correct weight of cue to use, and why? May I add that your 'Questions and Answers' and 'Cue Tips' are most helpful to any player who studies the game?"
The weight used and recommended by professionals is 15½ ounces, and they all appear to adopt this as an average as time goes on whatever predilections they may start with and which have ranged from very light, to abnormally heavy, cues. Our own view is that, so far as possible, everything in connection with billiards should be standardized. The question of the weight of the cue is really one of microscopical importance, provided that the same weight is always used by the same person and that the cue is well balanced. The loose holding and unrestrained swinging of the cue are the really essential things. A ball will run two lengths of a match table when the unaccentuated weight of a light cue is brought to bear upon it. On the other hand, if a light cue be unintentionally clutched or raised in striking disaster without end can be produced.12.—" Is it, in your opinion, really essential that an amateur desiring to be a good player should take lessons in billiards? I know many very good amateurs who rather pride themselves on the fact that they have never had a lesson."
There are natural geniuses in every game, but, as a rule, tuition at the very beginning, whether in billiards, golf, cricket, or what not, is of enormous value. Let us enforce this fact by reference to one billiard stroke only—the long loser from hand off the centre spot. It is the stroke with which every billiard tutor takes the measure of his pupil at the commencement of the first lesson and very few stand the test. The amateur who can get this stroke and bring the object ball round off three cushions into position for—at will—the middle pocket loser or the drop cannon after the balls have been.spotted has little to learn in cue swing, aim, and free strength, but how many are there who can do it?
Even professionals sometimes fail with this exacting and all-embracing shot.
13.—"Frequently when the cue ball is tucked under a cushion and I have to play on an object ball at some distance I miss entirely, although my aim seems to be all right. Can you explain this and say what is the remedy? I am not referring to a stroke played with side or screw, which might, of course, cause the ball to swerve."
You may think so, but you are evidently putting screw on by elevating the cue, and in making such a stroke— or whenever the cue is raised—a fuller aim must be taken to compensate for the swerve. Most useful effects are to be obtained in this way at close range also. For instance, from tight under the top cushion, at several inches distance from the pocket, you can make the cross in-off with a gentle half-ball contact and leave the red over the middle pocket.
14.—"What is the correct adjective form of billiards? Should one say 'billiard' players or 'billiards' players? In short, is there a singular number to the word billiards?"
Nuttall gives "billiard" as the adjective and "billiards" as the noun plural, and this is confirmed by Murray, the now recognised authority. Still, we agree with you that there seems to be some anomaly here. A billiard player is a player of billiards, whilst a bowls player is a player of bowls. Then why not "billiards" player? Still, custom rules in most of these matters.
15.—"Do I gather from your article on 'The Disabilities Under Which Amateurs Labour' that you are opposed to the barring of any stroke whatever in billiards? How about the push stroke?"
We have never regarded a push as a stroke. As well might a golf ball be guided into the hole with the iron instead of being struck. And we are in favour of the limitation of safety misses to one, and should not be sorry if even a single miss could be barred. This is not, however, practicable, as a miss is sometimes made involuntarily as well as intentionally.
The anchor or rocking cannons have also, we think, been properly limited, as they are quite exceptional, a shade freakish, and have little or no educative value. Twenty-five consecutive ball to ball cannons can still be made, and the amateur who knows how to make these should, if he wants to continue, also know how to get an indirect cannon towards the end of the first sequence and so start afresh. To sum up our views in a sentence, we should say that no stroke which is without adventitious aid from cushions and which requires for its execution (like the spot stroke and the middle pocket in-off) a variety of contacts, strengths, and other cue manipulation, should be barred from the game.
16.—"In a game with a friend the other evening I missed twice successively, although honestly trying for the shot each time, and without my opponent having scored in his own attempt, although he hit the object ball which I twice failed to do. He claimed to have the balls spotted. Was he right?"
You seem to have been having an exhilarating game. Yes, it was a foul under Rule 9 of the Billiards Control Club, as it infringed the letter, although not the spirit, of that rule. If consecutive unintentional misses were allowed to pass an intentional second miss might be claimed to be unintentional by an unscrupulous player, although this would not, of course, often happen.