BILLIARDS 



171 



ively marked on them, and flukes do not count either way. 

 To eliminate this element of chance, each player before 

 striking has to name the pocket in which he is trying to 

 deposit the ball he is aiming at. My billiard-playing readers 



FIG. 41. Officers at Balakleya. 



will understand that the slowness of such a game on such a 

 table is simply appalling, and was recognised by my Balakleya 

 friends when I initiated them into the beauties of the French 

 cannon game (carambolage). With such large balls and such 

 small pockets, I knew that it would be no use attempting to 



