Diagram 3.—Cue-ball ⅝ below, object-ball 15
16 left; stroke, “ordinary,” effecting carom on ball 2. Long draw stroke, somewhat difficult.
Diagram 4.—Cue-ball ¼ above, ⅛ left, object-ball ⅞ right; stroke, “medium.” Ball 1 returns from end cushion, and gathers with ball 2. Follow gathering stroke.
Diagram 5.—Cue-ball ½ above, ⅛ left, object-ball ⅞ right; stroke, “ordinary,” effecting carom on ball 2, ball 1 gathering with ball 2 in corner. A follow stroke, driving ball around the table.
PLATE XVII.
GATHERING STROKES FROM PLAIN CAROMS.
Illustrating the first step in gathering balls for a succeeding stroke.
Diagram 1.—Cue-ball ½ above, ¼ left, object-ball ⅞ right; stroke, ¼ less than “slow,” effecting carom on ball 2 at point a. This stroke is played as a half follow, in order to gain the position, although the carom can be easily effected by playing on ball 1, ¼ right, but this would spread them beyond position for the succeeding stroke. The course and final resting-place of the different object-balls are indicated in all the diagrams by the dotted lines and spots, the heavy lines showing the course of the cue-ball.
Diagram 2.—Cue-ball ½ above, ⅛ left, object-ball 15
16 right; stroke, “medium,” caroming on ball 2. A follow stroke. To insure the cue-ball being held on its proper course, it is struck by the cue just enough left of the centre to prevent the opposite twist taking effect through carelessness; for if the cue-ball be struck at all to the right of centre, it will not follow the line laid out for it. Forearm and wrist motion only required in this stroke.
Diagram 3.—Cue-ball ½ below, exact, object-ball ⅞ left; stroke, “slow.” Spread draw for position. Note in this diagram the curved line of the cue-ball as it leaves the object-ball, and allow for this curve in calculation.
Note.—That the balls may be placed exact upon the table according to the diagrams, the author suggests that the student follow the plan here given: First refer to the diagram desired for practice. If it be the one herewith (No. XVII.), in order to place ball 2 of diagram 1, draw the direct right lines a, b from the centre of ball 2 to the nearest cushion surface at c, d, or from the points c, d to centre of ball 2. On the point where the lines a, b intersect, place ball 2. In this manner the student may place any ball exact in position that may be found in either of the plates in this work. To calculate correctly the spot for the placing of a ball, note carefully the distance from the nearest diamond sights, at either nearest cushion, to the point where each line joins the cushion surface, which will be immediately opposite the exact centre of the ball which is to be placed.