To the Editor.
With reference to transmitted and cushion side, as dealt with in your September number, if billiard balls were perfectly smooth we could not only impart side, even theoretically, to an object ball, but we could not put side on the cue ball, nor, indeed, play billiards at all. On the other hand, billiard balls are so smooth that, out in the open, they do not transmit side practically, although theoretically—mathematically— they do.
But the balls are so rough comparatively, that when one ball is against a cushion, the cue ball can transmit side— appreciable side—to it. Again, when your cue ball drives the object ball on to a cushion, the side resulting is cushion-imparted side.
As regards friction generally. Put a sheet of polished glass on part of the billiard table. Put the balls—clean balls on the glass and push them slightly. There is very little friction between a clean, well-polished billiard ball and polished glass. The movements of the balls on the glass plate are interesting.
H. C. W.
To the Editor.
Whilst indulging in a little quiet practice the other evening, the two object balls stopped in the position shown in sketch, viz., red ball exactly on centre spot, white ball immediately behind it (touching) and cue ball in hand. For positional purposes the "leave" was distinctly embarrassing, for it was very obvious that if the ordinary half-ball loser off the red was played the resulting position would be a matter of pure luck, as the coloured ball would be bound to kiss the white. Well, after deliberating some little time I decided to play the half-ball loser off the red, and you can well imagine my surprise when I observed that not only had I effected the stroke I tried for, but had also potted the red into a middle pocket by means of a direct kiss off the white.
The position left was a nice balancing cannon from the white to the red, gathering all three balls at the top.
I relate this little incident in case you should find it of interest, as I do not recollect having seen this particular shot illustrated in one of your issues some time back giving various diagrams of fancy strokes.
It is, of course, as you know, an exceedingly difficult shot to pot a ball on the centre spot into a middle pocket when cue ball is in baulk, but with the aid of another ball behind the object the stroke at once becomes exceedingly simple, although to lookers-on it appears to be very much the reverse.
A. E. CRUTCH.
1, Lloyd's Avenue, E.C.
Sept. 26, 1912.