To the Editor.
Has it not struck you that although billiards has received a great stimulus owing to Gray's wonderful scoring, there is likely to set in a relapse later owing to the monotony.
Most of your "Cue Tips," which are now so useful, will not be wanted. A good all-round player at billiards will stand no chance against one of these specialists. The getting of the red ball in position for this stroke is not a difficult matter for any professional.
As an enthusiastic amateur I spent some very enjoyable times watching the tournament at Burroughes and Watts's.
Now, supposing the players there had been specialists at the Gray stroke, do you think the interest would have been maintained? I have seen Gray and, of course, marvel at his performance, but I don't want to go again. I would rather see any of our first class men make a break of 200 than Gray one of his 1,000 off the red.
My impression when watching Gray make one of his 500 off the red, was that the interest of the audience is lost after the first 100, whereas, when other players are scoring big breaks different kinds of difficulties keep cropping up which an enthusiast is eager to understand how to overcome.
This maintains interest and creates a little of the excitement which is necessary to hold audiences.
Suppose another Gray crops up, which seems likely?
What a game it would be between two such players. I, for one, should not wish to witness it. I admire Gray for his perseverance in getting to such a standard of perfection in this stroke, but if others follow his example I am afraid in the long run it will be bad for the game.