In playing the three-ball game, the spot A is occupied by the white ball, and the spot B by the red. The semicircle 1 is drawn six inches from A, and from within this limit the cue-ball must be delivered in opening the game.
PLATE XIV.
THE OPENING STROKE.
The object of a good player is to keep the balls before him in such manner that every stroke when completed shall leave another to follow.
Directions.—The cue-ball is placed about three inches from either side of the white spotted ball. In this diagram the left side is employed. When the stroke is perfectly made the course of the balls and position left, will approximate the dotted lines, and at the spots g, h, and d. With the ordinary player, perhaps, the success of the carom will alone be sufficient, regardless of which side the carom-ball is struck by the cue-ball. In this diagram at the finish of the stroke the object-balls are in front of the cue-ball for the succeeding stroke, whereas the result generally produced from this opening carom is to place the cue-ball between the others. When one perfects himself at the opening stroke, which can only be done with practice, the direction of the cue and object balls will be easily mastered. The strength of stroke must also be carefully considered and studied.
Cue-ball ¼ above, ⅛ right, object-ball ⅝ left; stroke, ½ in excess of “medium.” Cue-ball cushions at a, b, effecting carom at point c, about ½ or ¾ on the carom-ball from direction of point b. The cue-ball after carom takes the direction of c, d, and rests at or near d; the carom-ball travels to h, there resting, and object-ball cushions at e, f, stopping finally at g.
PLATE XV.
SIMPLE CAROMS.
Illustrating the natural line of departure of the cue-ball from the object-ball to the carom-ball with different degrees of strength.
Diagram 1.—Cue-ball centre, object-ball ½ right; stroke, “medium.”