Modern Billiards / A Complete Text-Book of the Game, Containing Plain and Practical Instructions How to Play and Acquire Skill at This Scientific Amusement

Chapter 108: 1859.

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About This Book

A comprehensive manual treats billiards as a disciplined recreational skill, beginning with historical context and equipment and room considerations. It offers systematic, illustrated instruction in cue handling, shot-making, cushion play, and a wide range of game variants and scoring methods, including carom and pool forms. Practical chapters cover evolving techniques, table and cloth care, selection and use of cues, and strategies for counting and position play. Additional sections explain rules, tournament conduct, and competitive records, aiming to guide readers from basic shots to advanced, repeatable strokes through diagrams and methodical practice advice.

1859.

First Technically Public Contest. Fireman’s Hall, Detroit, Mich., April 10th.—$250 a side. Dudley Kavanagh, New York, 1000—8.47—177; Michael Foley, Detroit, 989—87. This match was the first to which an admission fee was charged.

Michael Phelan (New York) vs. John Seereiter (Detroit). Same hall, April 11th, $5,000 a side, on table taken from Seereiter’s room (used night before by K. and F.), but having a new cloth. P., 2000—12.20—129; S., 1904—157.

Admission was five dollars, but this charge was rather to keep the wrong persons out than to profit from letting the right ones in. Phelan was out-nursed, but he outbetted the Detroiters, and both outgeneraled and generally outbetted their representative.