_Diagram 2._—Cue-ball ⅝ left, ⅛ above, object-ball ¾ left; stroke, “ordinary.” Cue-ball takes cushion at _a_, _b_, effecting carom by reverse twist, on ball 2. Object-ball cushions at _c_, _d_, resting at _e_.
This stroke is played to gather the object-ball at ball 2. If the cue-ball is played around the table, imparting opposite twist, taking cushions _a_, _b_, _d_, the object-ball will be “lost.”
_Illustrating a carom by “kiss” gathering the balls, also carom from same position from one cushion._
Cue-ball ⅝ below, ½ left, object-ball ⅛ left; stroke, ½ in excess of “medium.” Cue-ball “kisses” directly to ball 2. Object-ball is struck ⅛ left, driving it to cushion _a_, _b_, resting at _c_. Carom-ball takes direction _d_, after carom has been effected. The object-ball must be hit with exactness to get it away from the cushion to the points _a_, _b_, _c_.
Again, cue-ball ¼ left, ¼ above, object-ball ½ left; stroke, ½ in excess of “medium.” Cue-ball cushions at _e_, effecting, carom on ball 2. Object-ball takes direction approximating dotted line.
_Illustrating a fair stroke where the balls are near a “freeze,” effecting a “draw” and “English,” the cue-ball performing a concave curve on its course to cushion._
Cue-ball ⅝ below, ⅝ right, object-ball ¾ left; stroke, “hard.” Cue-ball describes curve, cushions at _a_, _b_, _c_, effecting carom on ball 2, which rests at _h_, with cue-ball at _i_. Object-ball doubles the width of table, cushions at _d_, _e_, _f_, resting at _g_.
The carom could be made with a massé, but position would be sacrificed. The close draw is played in order to gather the balls.
The stroke is an acute wrist and arm delivery, and should be given with confidence.
_Illustrating excessive twist and draw when the cue-balls rest on the cushion._
_Diagram 1._—Cue-ball ⅝ below, ⅝ right, object-ball 15/16 left; stroke, ½ in excess of “medium.” Object-ball cushions at _a_, returning to _b_. Cue-ball, by excessive draw and twist, caroms on ball 2.
The object in imparting excessive twist to cue-ball is to avoid cushion in recoil. The object-ball is struck _slightly_ to the left, and the twist overcoming the outward tendency this would naturally give to the cue-ball, brings it back to a straight line.