To the Editor of the Billiard News:
SIR,—I was playing at pool some few evenings since at the Bell Hotel here, when by mistake I took a wrong ball from the pocket (I was in hand), and played with it. Several of the players immediately said that I lost a life because I played with a wrong ball. I contended that by the rules of pool that I did not lose a life.
The discussion led to a bet of £15, made by myself and one of the players, that on my part I did not lose a life, and on his part that I did lose a life.
The gentleman with whom I made the bet refused to decide upon the rules as published by Messrs. Burroughes and Watts, and other billiard-table makers, wherein in the last clause of rule Nor 6 they clearly decide in my favour, but he is willing to leave the question for the decision of the following five players—Messrs. Cook, Roberts, sen., Roberts, jun., Bennett, and the elder Stanley.
Would you kindly put me in communication with these gentlemen, that I may obtain their opinion as to whether I should or should not have lost a life?
If possible I should like the decision published in your paper.
W. J. W. Gloucester.