Billiard Law and Learning

• Generally speaking, it is far easier to get position from a losing hazard than from a cannon or winning hazard.
• Ninety per cent, of ordinary billiard players miss the same kind of strokes, and in precisely the same way. The chief faults to be seen among cueists are, gripping the cue too tightly and holding it too near the butt.
• In no stroke is the superiority of professional players over amateurs more clearly marked than in potting the red.
• A couple of hours billiards before retiring to rest every night is one of the finest cures for insomnia.
• Billiards is one of the few games which exercises every muscle in the body.
• Ladies have so far hardly grasped the fact that billiards is a great aid to health and improves the figure.
• Some of the simplest looking duties of everyday life are in reality the hardest, and this is the case with marking a game of billiards. Good billiard markers are few and far between.
• Any form of violent exercise should be avoided before playing billiards, as it affects the touch, and makes it very difficult to get strength properly.
• When practising it is a fatal mistake to just knock the balls about anyhow. Playing carelessly will never make a player any better, and may make him a lot worse.
• Physical fitness is as essential for billiards as any game. Plain living, plenty of outdoor exercise, and "moderation in all things" are golden rules to be followed by all those desirous of getting fit for billiards.
• It has been held that billiard handicaps, where a small entry was charged and expenditure on prizes for the ultimate winners, were "gaming" within the meaning of the Act, although it was admitted there was no betting.
• At present, in most parts of England, billiard licences can only be obtained once a year, viz., at the Brewster Sessions held in February.
• Holders of billiard licences must have the words "Licensed for Billiards" legibly displayed near the entrance to the place where the tables are situated.
• Billiard licences are obtained under the Gaming Act, 1845. There is no appeal against the refusal to grant a billiard licence.
• Billiards is invaluable as a means of studying human nature, and much may be learnt from it concerning a man's temperament.
• There can be no hard and fast rule as to what is the game when the balls are in any set position. This may vary according to the ability of the striker.
• The one great thing in billiards is "true cueing." Without this no man can ever really become a good player. A firm stand at the table, as well as a proper bridge, will materially assist true cueing, but will not ensure it. The hand should be placed about 12 inches from the cue ball to ensure true cueing, and accuracy of arm and contact. The cue should be held some way from the Butt, and gripped lightly between the thumb and first and second fingers.
• When, it is the game to pot the white, pot it, and do not indulge in explanations or apologies.
• If playing on the black at Snooker make sure of the ball, and do not increase the difficulties of the stroke by making a big effort for position.
• Do not have the lines marked on your billiard table with lead pencil. It is much better to have them marked with one of the chalk pencils sold for that purpose.
• Never bang a ball down on a spot—it's bad for both the cloth and the ball.
• Some markers who do not know any better have a knack of stopping a ball with the brass end of a rest, and then their patrons wonder why the ball "runs off" so soon!
• Many beginners make a cannon with the sole idea of scoring a couple of points, but the skilled player always thinks of the after position of the balls. Speaking generally, the worst way in which a cannon can be played is that which leaves the cue-ball between the two object balls. It will often be found that a fullish contact on the first ball will prevent this bad grouping