AT a meeting of the delegates from the Halls, held on Wednesday, December 5, at Clapham, the eagerly awaited revision of handicap in the Billiard League was discussed.
As may be imagined the proceedings were quite lively. The subject was viewed from nearly every angle, and a number of delegates quoted particular instances in support of their arguments for alteration. After considerable deliberation, a final revision was agreed to and drawn up as follows.
Each player of Tulse Hill and Lavender Hill over 60, of Thornton Heath, Battersea Rise and Lewisham over 20, Chelsea scratch, and Streatham and Wimbledon each requires 25; all games consisting of 250 up.
It will be seen that the group system of handicapping has to a large extent been retained, only Chelsea being alone at scratch. It is interesting to note the changes that have been made in the handicaps, Chelsea were originally over 50, they are now scratch, Lavender Hill previously owed 25, they now owe 60. Tulse Hill owe 60 instead of owe 50. Battersea owe 20 before they were owe 50. Thornton Heath and Lewisham owe 20 instead of owe 25, and Streatham and Wimbledon each receive 25. When the first handicaps were allotted, Streatham were owe 25 and Wimbledon scratch. Vardens Road has retired from the competition. All these changes have been necessary owing to the alterations in the personnel of the teams. The order of the Halls up to December 1, under the original handicap was as follows.:— Matches.
| Hall | Played | Aggregate |
| Lavender Hill | 5 | 7,241 |
| Lewisham | 6 | 7,181 |
| Tulse Hill | 5 | 7,004 |
| Thornton Heath | 5 | 6,850 |
| Battersea Rise | 5 | 6,199 |
| Chelsea | 4 | 5,519 |
| Streatham | 6 | 5,432 |
| Wimbledon | 4 | 4,435 |
"BILLIARDS is the only indoor game that will support bricks and mortar all the year round," said Mr. T. W. Clark, Secretary of T.B.H. "And that," he added with emphasis, "proves the game to be a national necessity, or the financial result would not be so exceptional."
For a long time billiards has needed an efficient handicapping method whereby players all over the country could meet on a fair basis.
T.B.H. have tackled this problem and now, by arrangement with the B.A. and C.C., are able to bring into use a system which should give excellent results. It will be tested out for the first time in T.B.H.
London and Lancashire Billiards Tournaments this year.
Over a million and a half games were played in T.B.H. last year, including a small but increasing proportion in which ladies took an active part. The tendency is for ladies to play billiards and snooker with their menfolk, not by themselves and the management encourages this to the utmost.
Readers who might like to take their wives, sisters or other fellows sisters to watch or play the game may be sure they will be welcomed and made to feel comfortable and "at home."
In the past, a great deal has been done for a few players, but these two things, a national handicapping system and the bringing of lady players into the public halls are among the first really big steps taken to help the general playing public.