Snooker’s Pool. Altogether it is a great game!

Manchester Evening News, Saturday 23 November 1907

Billiard Gossip

The big professional tournament in London has done much to popularise the game of snooker’s pool. It provides plenty of amusement, and as a change from ordinary billiards is to be commended. There is a fascination about it that will appeal to all, as no shot appeals more to the eye than a tine long drive into a pocket. To be a good “snooker” player one must of necessity excel as a hazard striker, and also exercise keen judgment in leaving position from a shot. For the benefit of those who have but a hazy conception of the game it may be explained that it is an adaptation or blending of life-pool and pyramids, both of which were very popular in days gone by. The coloured balls identified with the former, and the fifteen reds and white cue-ball of the latter game, are used. The rules are simple. First a red ball must be holed, and then any of the coloured balls may be attacked, these counting in value from two to seven. Shortly, the play is alternate red and colour until the whole of the balls are off the table. Of course, the chief attraction is the “snookering” of one’s opponent, and it is here that the fun comes in. When the object ball is covered the player is not allowed to give a safety miss, and the consequences of a contact with the wrong ball entails a penalty according to the value of the ball so struck. Altogether it is a great game!