Since the conclusion of the 14-1 tournament at the Hotel Astor in New York, there has been a woeful falling off of interest in baulk-line billiards, and enthusiasts are turning their attention to the coming international contest between Melbourne Inman, the English champion, and Willie Hoppe, champion of the world at all styles of baulk-line billiards.
They start play early in the fall, and already both players are assiduously practising at the different styles of play.
Odds of two to one are already being laid that the American will be the victor at the conclusion of the mixed styles match.
The English players are woefully weak at our style of game, and it is here that they expect their own champion to lose most of his ground, for no matter how much he may surpass Willie at the "losing hazard," the "in-off," the "follow through" or "potting", if he will surpass him at all, it is painful to think (from an English standpoint), what Willie will do every time he gathers the balls on the rail.
At every 25th shot he must destroy the continuity of straight ball to ball caroms by driving a ball to the cushion, after which he may again continue joyfully on his way. And we fear to contemplate the terrible (!) handicap poor Willie will suffer by being obliged to drive the ball to the cushion.
If Willie carries out his expressed intention of going over to England to compete in the national tournament, he will probably annex another title. The playing of an indirect carom once in every 25 shots would not inconvenience him in the least. The middle pockets might prove a source of trouble at first, but with a few weeks' practice on an English standard table, we are convinced that Willie would be able to take the balls around the table while conforming with the English standard rules as they stand at present.
Inman will practise at the American game with the Canadian expert, Leonard Howison. Although the statement that Inman was offered 25,000 dollars for his share of the profits of his games with Hoppe may be taken cum grano salis, there is little doubt as to the financial outcome of the project. Interest in the games is already at fever heat.