195.—"Is there any reason why the white ball should not be potted, when it is to the striker's advantage to do so, and is there anything unsportsmanlike in the proceeding?"
We have answered this question before. The only game to play, when it is to the striker's advantage to do so, is to pot the white, and it should be done as a matter of course. Players who neglect this method are not exponents of the complete game. So far from being ungentlemanly the stroke, unless well done, is really benevolent, for, unless the succeeding score is properly made, or a double-baulk, or miss in baulk brought off, the opponent has been made a gratuitous present of the whole latitude of the D to play from.
196.—Has there been any expression of opinion in The Billiard Monthly on the subject of consecutive red ball losing hazards, and their suggested limitation? If so, I have not seen it."
We referred frequently to the point when the Gray furore was on.
We are strongly opposed to unnecessary restrictions of the game of billiards and would have everything thrown open again except the push stroke. But if there must be" barring, "he restriction should at least be equal all round, such as 25 consecutive cannons, pots, and in-offs. Why should 25 cannons be allowed and only two pots? Again, where is the restriction of the game to stop? Why not restrict white hazards, or mixed white and red, or even the top-of-the-table game?
197.—"In a game the other evening a difference of opinion arose as to whether the balls were touching or not. This matter seems to be regulated by the density or otherwise of the small black speck or shadow at the point, or supposed point, of contact. Is not there some surer method, by application of which there could be no possibility of dispute?"
We should say that if a very light and narrow strip of paper were dropped between the balls and failed to pass through, the method would be a safe and conclusive one, as proving that the balls were touching. We must admit, however, that we have not known this test to be applied and expect that it will still have to be left to the eye, as the question of in or out of baulk is, although this might equally be subjected to a mechanically perfect test.
198.—"If a ball cannot be spotted should it be placed on the centre or pyramid spot?"
On the pyramid spot, and if that is occupied on the centre spot. A peculiarity about this pyramid spotting is that, under the B.C.C. rules, the spot stroke is not barred from this position.
199.—"If playing at snooker with only the blue, pink, and black on the table, the player plays at the blue, pots it, and pots the pink at the same stroke, is the rule six away and the blue re-spotted, or is it six away and the blue not re-spotted?"
The rules on this subject are:
"If the striker pockets more than one ball, other than red balls, in one stroke, he cannot score, and is penalized in the value of the highest ball pocketed. "When the pool balls are being played upon in rotation they shall not be re-spotted after being pocketed in proper order and according to rule." Thus the blue, pocketed in order, stays down, and the pink, pocketed contrary to rule, is re-spotted.
200.—"How is the second opening miss usually replied to in billiards?"
It depends upon the nature of the miss. It may have left a jenny on. If, however, it has been well given, a good reply is a thick run-through cushion cannon on to the red, or a cushion loser with side into the opposite middle pocket. Try both and decide which is the less risky and leaves the better position if accomplished.
201.—"When falling seriously behind in a game is it better to resort to safety or to take risks?"
Unless you are playing against an opponent who is quite likely to make a big break at any reasonable opening, we should favour the free and enterprising game, which, besides often opening up an opportunity for scoring, exercises something of a tonic effect on the striker himself. Games are, after all, won by scoring and not by misses or other defence, useful though this may be at times.
202.—"When playing from baulk to bring cue ball back into baulk do I use check or running side? I ask because several arguments have arisen. What is a good definition of check side and running side?"
We assume that you are referring to the opening miss, and we should term the side in that case running side, as it receives no" check "in coming off the cushion, but quite the reverse. This is also the best illustration that we can give in reply to your second question.
203.—"How can one colour the red ball so that when struck by one of the other balls the red does not come off. It has been a difficulty with me to dye the ball."
The colouring of billiard balls with permanent colours is a trade secret. Send the ball to a reputable firm and they will do it for you at a nominal charge.
204.—" If I am found to be playing with the wrong ball, do I lose all that I have made, as I have been told, or am I entitled, as I believe, to continue playing, as the error was not discovered at once?"Neither. You score all but the last stroke and the balls are spotted for your opponent.
Screwing In Off the Spot.
205.—"I find that with composition balls I can screw in to the top pocket from baulk with the red on the spot, but it is rarely that I secure good position to follow, as the red does not take the central line of the table sufficiently. How is this usually overcome?"
There is only one way, and that is by making the stroke still more difficult with a squarer placing of the cue ball in baulk. It follows, indeed, the same rule as the screw into the centre pockets, with the object ball a little wide and high up.