_Diagram 2._—Cue-ball ⅛ right, object-ball ⅛ right; stroke, ½ in excess of “medium,” effecting carom on ball 2. Cue-ball cushions at _a_, _b_, _c_. Object-ball takes direction of the arrow _e_, the carom-ball being hit near full, takes direction of the arrow _d_.
_Illustrating another fundamental stroke, that of doubling the object-ball with a “slowed” cue-ball._
_Diagram 1._—To double the object-ball twice across the table by playing as full upon it as is possible. Cue-ball ⅜ below, ½ right, object-ball 15/16 left, effecting carom on ball 2. Object-ball cushions at _a_, _b_, _c_, _d_, and joins ball 2 in corner. Cue-ball is slowed so it barely effects carom. Stroke, “very hard.”
_Diagram 2._—Gathering stroke, to double object-ball and effect carom. Cue-ball ¼ below, 1/16 left, object-ball 15/16 right; stroke, “ordinary.” Object-ball cushions at _a_, _b_, gathering at _c_. The cue-ball travels very slowly to the carom-ball, speed merely sufficient to effect carom.
These strokes appear in all parts of the table, and the player should search for those he has practised, selecting always that which will give the best result in position. He who displays the best judgment in thus calculating will make the most successful player.
_Illustrating a stroke that is of difficult accomplishment but very effective._
Cue-ball ¼ below, object-ball 15/16 left; stroke, “hard.” Object-ball cushions at _a_, _b_, _c_, _d_, and rests beyond _d_. The object-ball is struck nearly “dead” full to cross the table, as the lines indicate; the cue-ball is “slowed” through the ¼ below delivery, effecting carom on ball 2. This stroke requires much practice, as the compound doubling of the cue-ball is of difficult execution when combined with the “slowed” cue-ball.
Care should be used in the placing of the cue-ball for the execution of the stroke.
_A series of caroms with the object and cue-ball in same position, illustrating the player’s control over the cue-ball._
_To carom on ball 1._—Cue-ball ¼ above, ¼ right, object-ball ⅝ left; stroke, “medium.” The cue-ball is struck ¼ above, in order to keep it from describing too great a curved line that it would do if hit ½ above, which latter delivery requires greater precision. If hit below ¼ above, the ball will come away more toward the open table. The cue-ball is also hit ¼ right, that it may be kept away from the cushion in its course toward the carom-ball; if struck on left side it would take cushion upon nearly every occasion. Put the twist on the side opposite the direction the cue-ball will take when it lies at this angle.