In adapting the game to practice, a variety of circumstances present themselves in the attainment of this object, such as the delicacy and strength of the stroke required in each particular case, the precise regulation of the eye of the striker, and the mode of striking, on each and all of which points essentially depend the accomplishment of the stroke.
The eye must not be suffered to wander from the striking ball to the object ball, or vice versa, for it will not only distract the attention at the time, but encourage a habit of indecision and uncertainty fatal to the attainment of good play.
With a knowledge of the scientific laws of the game, the player, taking a steady but rapid survey of the position of the balls, is enabled at once to determine the lines of incidence and reflection, and the point of the balls to be struck for the accomplishment of the diagram mentally laid down.
It may be said that habit alone can attain a readiness of action, but habit must be rightly directed and attained in a correctly scientific course, or it will lead to had habits, and to disorder and uncertainty. With a ready player, scientifically educated in the two principles of the game, the mental decision and the accomplishment of the stroke will be but one act readily laid down and as steadily carried out. Nor is the position and action of the body to be slighted.
A graceful elegance at the commencement is not difficult of acquirement, but it is best founded on that confidence and collectedness which an educated foundation imparts, and is, therefore, more commonly the attainment of a good player, while a bustling importance too often bespeaks the pretender.
It is, therefore, highly desirable to attain the smallest minutiae at the outset. In giving the stroke, the body should be just sufficiently bent to allow of the direction of the eye with ease along the cue; the position of the right-hand player will be with the left foot in advance, while a left-hand player will advance the right foot.
Of the different modes of striking the ball, in addition to the general rule already laid down, invariable as to its course and the point of concussion, it may, nevertheless, be noticed that the central stroke is usually adapted to common hazards or cannons, and in playing at the cushion for an even recoil of the ball. A stroke below the centre of the ball causes it to recoil from the object ball with a dull whirling motion, useful in obtaining cannons from balls at right angles. (This and all other than a central stroke requires the tip of the cue to be chalked to prevent its slipping).
The stroke above the centre may be employed when the balls are lying parallel with each other, and will drive them in the same course or into the same pocket. A ball so struck only gives a portion of its strength to the object ball, and continues its course with a velocity proportionate to its original impetus. An oblique stroke above the centre gives to the ball a leaping motion, for the cue forces the ball against the table rather than along it, the object of which has been already explained.
The player must also become acquainted with the angles of the table before he can understand the course of the balls or how to accomplish a cannon. The elasticity or rebound of the cushions is also equally important to be known; and, as this will vary in different tables, and become less by the use and wear they may have had, experiment alone can with certainty determine each particular case. It is therefore that players at a strange table most commonly try the effect of the rebound before they commence a game.
The best groundwork for playing well is acquired at the winning hazards, which, being commenced with, the losing hazards will appear comparatively easy of acquirement; but so various and complicated are the minutiae of the game as found in practice—which, in fact, constitutes one of its most interesting features—that a well-grounded knowledge of the scientific laws of angular motion, carried out by an expertness which practice alone can impart, is requisite to become master of every position that may, and does, frequently occur.
Next month the laws of percussion in billiards will be dealt with.