Mark Twain, 100+ ball runner?

[Guapo]

I'm sitting here reading The Monk's Point The Way that he generously offered to people on here for free a while back.

On page 39 (of the PDF) he mentions that Mark Twain used to play and could run more than 100 balls without a miss.

I knew he enjoyed the game of billiards but where's this specific statement coming from? How does he know this? Is it mentioned in historical billiard books or is it something Mark Twain himself has mentioned elsewhere?

 

[Cameron Smith]

Very unlikely. 14.1 as we know it was first publicly suggested as far as I can tell in October of 1910 by Jerome Keogh through the New York Times. Mark Twain passed away in April of 1910, he was 75. Furthermore I believe Ralf Greenleaf is credited as being the first, or one of the first, to make consistent big runs. Before him high runs for tournaments were in the 40's and 50's I think.

Prior to 14.1, I don't believe runs were continuous as the each rack would begin with a safety exchange due to the lack of a break ball, much like 14.1's opening break.

He could perhaps have achieved 100 ball runs by either using an open break or spreading balls throughout the table in practice, but it's not the same as a 14.1 century.

He was also a fan of sub par equipment, asserting that it was a true test of a players skills. I'm not sure how far that went, but perhaps far enough to make an 100 ball run incredibly difficult for an amateur (I'm guessing here).

Finally, continuous pool (not to be confused with 14.1) was developed in around 1890's (I'm not sure the exact dates) around the time Twain was in his late 50's to early 60's. When he was a young man, he would have been playing 61 pool, which is similar to Rotation only you can play the balls in any order. This was the format of the first ever "World" Championship, though it's generally referred to as the first championship of america, won by Cyrille Dion.

In order for him to be a 100 ball runner, he would have to be one of the first hundred ball runners, ever. Though I have no doubt the was an accomplished player, however given the span of his life and the timeframe for the development of the modern game, he would have had to be a true pioneer and legend of our game in order to manage even one 100 ball run let alone achieve it often enough to called a "100 ball runner".

 

[Guapo]

I feel like such an ass after seeing your well thought out answer and realizing I should have been a little clearer.

I carelessly used the term 100+ ball runner when the book stated that he could make more than 100 balls without a miss.

Either way, thanks for the brief billiard history lesson and sharing your knowledge of the topic.

 

[Chopdoc]

I see it more as a casual statement of the man's prowess at cue sports rather than a statement of a record or something.

Though interesting, I don't think recorded history of the game, especially tournaments, has much to do with it.

 

[TSW]

Given the time period, is it possible they were talking about carom billiards? As an accomplished amateur perhaps he could score 100 points without a miss.

 

[Pushout]

Given the time period, is it possible they were talking about carom billiards? As an accomplished amateur perhaps he could score 100 points without a miss.

It's a known fact that Twain played Billiards. I'm not sure about Pool.

Edit: I had not realized that most pictures showed him at a pool table? I know he was quoted about Billiards, seems he meant Pool also. I doubt he ran 100 balls, though.

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

Clearly. Mark Twain had some moves.

And here's irrefutable evidence.

After living just 40 minutes from "Mark Twain House" in Hartford for close to 10 years, I finally decided to go have a look.

The museum is fantastic, his house even better.

When arriving at the most impressive porch, the tour guide instructs "No Pictures Please! Thank You."

This house, aside from the obvious historic importance, was absolutely magnificent. It was built after he enjoyed some great success and the custom details were spectacular.

So, back to MT and evidence that he had some moves:

Finally we made it to the upstairs and I was getting real excited since his legendary billiards room was up there. As we make it in and get settled, the guide relates this story.

He told us that it was very common for neighbors to just drop by unannounced (what, no phones?), and the custom was, like it or not, you had to endure their company and entertain them usually with ome light fare and drink for a respectful amount of time.

Well, MT had that sorted out real good. When he was up in the billiard room and his butler, whom he liked very much, came to announce that so-and-so were downstairs calling, MT ceremoniously walked over to a big wooden door, opened it and went out onto a lovely balcony, turned to his butler and said, "Please tell them that I stepped out." :thumbup:

BTW, some of his best work was written in this very room. It was his getaway place.

I ended up straggling behind and stealthly did what I could with my camera.

Yep, I got a few moves of my own. :smile:

Best,
Brian kc
p.s. The ceiling was all hand painted. wow...

 

[3kushn]

Something is not right here.
Most (not all) photos of Twain show him on a pool table.
His Billiard room has a pool table but if you go to this flicker site notice the balls on the table and the ceiling painting. Hmmmmm. Maybe the house restoration is not accurate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wamcroundtable/4926655868/in/set-72157624804783038/

 

[alstl]

Thanks for the picture Kickin Chicken, now that's a pool room!

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

Something is not right here.
Most (not all) photos of Twain show him on a pool table.
His Billiard room has a pool table but if you go to this flicker site notice the balls on the table and the ceiling painting. Hmmmmm. Maybe the house restoration is not accurate.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/wamcroundtable/4926655868/in/set-72157624804783038/

3k;

Funny you should bring this up; I asked about this.

The guide really had no answer so I figure that the folks who were laying out the 'props' on the table didn't know either. However, I did confirm that everything there was actually his so maybe he did play 3c elsewhere or even on that table with pockets blocked?.

And the books and papers were on the table purposely since MT was known to have placed papers and books there while working on his writing.

Best,
Brian kc

 

[pt109]

3k;

Funny you should bring this up; I asked about this.

The guide really had no answer so I figure that the folks who were laying out the 'props' on the table didn't know either. However, I did confirm that everything there was actually his so maybe he did play 3c elsewhere or even on that table with pockets blocked?.

And the books and papers were on the table purposely since MT was known to have placed papers and books there while working on his writing.

Best,
Brian kc

I've been a Mark Twain fan since I was a child.
But I have to confess that I was a little disappointed with the picture of
his table.
I have always thought of Mr Clemens as an innovative writer.....
...but he obviously played pool by the book.

 

[Cameron Smith]

I feel like such an ass after seeing your well thought out answer and realizing I should have been a little clearer.

I carelessly used the term 100+ ball runner when the book stated that he could make more than 100 balls without a miss.

Either way, thanks for the brief billiard history lesson and sharing your knowledge of the topic.

No problem, I enjoy writing about pool/billiards history anyhow. In that case, one of the major games during his life was 4 ball billiards, which was played on either a 4 pocketed or a 6 pocketed table. The rules I believe were similar to English Billiards, but I have a hard time finding a concrete write up. I wouldn't be surprised if it was this game he was making centuries at.

 

[Mr. Bond]

He was not an even-tempered player. When the balls were perverse in their movements and his aim unsteady, he was likely to become short with his opponent—critical and even faultfinding. Then presently a reaction would set in, and he would be seized with remorse. He would become unnecessarily gentle and kindly—even attentive—placing the balls as I knocked them into the pockets, hurrying from one end of the table to render this service, endeavoring to show in every way except by actual confession in words that he was sorry for what seemed to him, no doubt, an unworthy display of temper, unjustified irritation.

Naturally, this was a mood that I enjoyed less than that which had induced it. I did not wish him to humble himself; I was willing that he should be severe, even harsh, if he felt so inclined; his age, his position, his genius entitled him to special privileges; yet I am glad, as I remember it now, that the other side revealed itself, for it completes the sum of his great humanity.

Indeed, he was always not only human, but superhuman; not only a man, but superman. Nor does this term apply only to his psychology. In no other human being have I ever seen such physical endurance. I was comparatively a young man, and by no means an invalid; but many a time, far in the night, when I was ready to drop with exhaustion, he was still as fresh and buoyant and eager for the game as at the moment of beginning. He smoked and smoked continually, and followed the endless track around the billiard-table with the light step of youth. At three or four o'clock in the morning he would urge just one more game, and would taunt me for my weariness. I can truthfully testify that never until the last year of his life did he willingly lay down the billiard-cue, or show the least suggestion of fatigue.

He played always at high pressure. Now and then, in periods of adversity, he would fly into a perfect passion with things in general. But, in the end, it was a sham battle, and he saw the uselessness and humor of it, even in the moment of his climax. Once, when he found it impossible to make any of his favorite shots, he became more and more restive, the lightning became vividly picturesque as the clouds blackened. Finally, with a regular thunder-blast, he seized the cue with both hands and literally mowed the balls across the table, landing one or two of them on the floor. I do not recall his exact remarks during the performance; I was chiefly concerned in getting out of the way, and those sublime utterances were lost. I gathered up the balls and we went on playing as if nothing had happened, only he was very gentle and sweet, like the sun on the meadows after the storm has passed by. After a little he said:

"This is a most amusing game. When you play badly it amuses me, and when I play badly and lose my temper it certainly must amuse you."

From: Mark Twain, a biography; the personal and literary life of Samuel Langhorne Clemens Albert Bigelow Paine 1912

by the way, there are pics of Sam standing at the table pictured above.

 

[Scaramouche]

No problem, I enjoy writing about pool/billiards history anyhow. In that case, one of the major games during his life was 4 ball billiards, which was played on either a 4 pocketed or a 6 pocketed table. The rules I believe were similar to English Billiards, but I have a hard time finding a concrete write up. I wouldn't be surprised if it was this game he was making centuries at.

There is a picture of him at the table - only three balls showing

http://pool.bz/billiard-online-book...hapter-49-billiards-albert-bigelow-paine.html

Other stuff I found indicates that he might play 7 hours a day at times, but had problems finding opponents because his friends weren't leading the dissolute life of a writer.

Love these sorts of threads that send me off trying to find the answer, even if I never find the definitive answer. :grin:

 

[Scaramouche]

"This is a most amusing game. When you play badly it amuses me, and when I play badly and lose my temper it certainly must amuse you."

From: Mark Twain, a biography; the personal and literary life of Samuel Langhorne Clemens Albert Bigelow Paine 1912

I resemble that remark, as my opponents can attest.

 

[hunger strike]

Multiple homes...

I believe MT had multiple homes with tables. My memory is fuzzy on this, but I think there is a billiard table in his Missouri childhood home. I think this thread will eventually get to the bottom of the questions. I also think the restorers took liberties w the ceiling painting, I had noticed the discrepancy in older photos. BTW, if you visit the childhood home, eat a pork tenderloin sandwich next door....they're famous.

 

[Scott Lee]

Brian...Clemens had a pool table in his house in Hannibal MO. He also had a writing desk (just like he has in the picture you posted) near the pool/billiard table, and was known to hit some balls when 'writer's block' would occur.

Along with Mr. Bond's excerpt from one of MT's biographies (the new one is much more detailed at 700+ pages), Clemens also required that his invited guests participate in playing billiards. Should they choose to decline, they were generally not invited back again.

As can be seen in the pictures, contrary to what was posted earlier, Clemens did not have substandard equipment. Both tables were near top of the line standard Brunswicks. The only higher standard tables were the novelty pariel tables that had a LOT more intricate inlay work.

Scott Lee
www.poolknowledge.com

3k;

Funny you should bring this up; I asked about this.

The guide really had no answer so I figure that the folks who were laying out the 'props' on the table didn't know either. However, I did confirm that everything there was actually his so maybe he did play 3c elsewhere or even on that table with pockets blocked?.

And the books and papers were on the table purposely since MT was known to have placed papers and books there while working on his writing.

Best,
Brian kc

 

[deadstroke7]

Some interesting reading -- http://www.twainquotes.com/Billiards.html

The game of billiards has destroyed my naturally sweet disposition.
- Speech, April 24, 1906

The billiard table, as a Sabbath-breaker can beat any coal-breaker in Pennsylvania and give it 30 in the game.
- Letter to Emilie Rogers, November 1906.

I wonder why a man should prefer a good billiard-table to a poor one; and why he should prefer straight cues to crooked ones; and why he should prefer round balls to chipped ones; and why he should prefer a level table to one that slants; and why he should prefer responsive cushions to the dull and unresponsive kind. I wonder at these things, because when we examine the matter we find that the essentials involved in billiards are as competently and exhaustively furnished by a bad billiard outfit as they are by the best one. One of the essentials is amusement. Very well, if there is any more amusement to be gotten out of the one outfit than out of the other, the facts are in favor of the bad outfit. The bad outfit will always furnish thirty per cent. more fun for the players and for the spectators than will the good outfit. Another essential of the game is that the outfit shall give the players full opportunity to exercise their best skill, and display it in a way to compel the admiration of the spectators. Very well, the bad outfit is nothing behind the good one in this regard. It is a difficult matter to estimate correctly the eccentricities of chipped balls and a slanting table, and make the right allowance for them and secure a count; the finest kind of skill is required to accomplish the satisfactory result. Another essential of the game is that it shall add to the interest of the game by furnishing opportunities to bet. Very well, in this regard no good outfit can claim any advantage over a bad one. I know, by experience, that a bad outfit is as valuable as the best one; that an outfit that couldn't be sold at auction for seven dollars is just as valuable for all the essentials of the game as an outfit that is worth a thousand. ... Last winter, here in New York, I saw Hoppe and Schaefer and Sutton and the three or four other billiard champions of world-wide fame contend against each other, and certainly the art and science displayed were a wonder to see; yet I saw nothing there in the way of science and art that was more wonderful than shots which I had seen Texas Tom make on the wavy surface of that poor old wreck in the perishing saloon at Jackass Gulch forty years before.​

- Mark Twain's Autobiography, Chapters from the North American Review, November 1907

AND my personal favorite:thumbup:

(New York) Sun, Tuesday, March 6, 1883

VIGNAUX'S BALK-LINE PLAY.​

_____


About 250 gentlemen met in response to this invitation:

The pleasure of your company is requested at an exhibition to be given by Maurice Vignaux to the members of the press at Madison Square Hall, 948 Broadway, on Monday, March 5, at 3 P.M.

Among those present were Judge Brady, Judge Roosevelt, Col. Fellows, Mark Twain, Commodore Brady, C. D. Keep, Daniel Strauss, William Sexton, Joseph Dion, Maurice Daly, the Dwyer brothers, James Kelly, L. O. Appleby, Henry Stedeker, C. Davis, and a host of other sporting men.

When all were seated and Mr. Vignaux appeared ready for play Mark Twain, who had been chatting with a friend at the end of a row of seats back of the table, arose and said:

GENTLEMAN: Please give me your attention for a minute. I have been called upon by Mr. O'Connor to introduce the distinguished gentleman from abroad. If there is one thing that I understand and like better than another it is introducing people. This time I am better fixed than when I was first introduced to the public. On that occasion a prominent citizen said that he would introduce me to the audience if I would find some responsible man to apologize for him after any lecture was over. If there is anything that Mr. Vignaux cannot do, gentlemen, call upon me and I'll do it.

After the applause and laughter had subsided rm. Vignaux and Mr. Sexton stepped to the table to play 300 points up at what is called the balk-line game of billiards ...

_____

(Special thanks to Leslie Myrick of the Mark Twain Papers for recovering the text of this speech.)​

 

[Kickin' Chicken]

and my favorite MT pool related story...

BILLIARDS

Mr. Clemens attended a billiard tourney on the evening of April 24, 1906, and was called on to tell a story.

The game of billiards has destroyed my naturally sweet disposition.Once, when I was an underpaid reporter in Virginia City, whenever I wished to play billiards I went out to look for an easy mark. One day a stranger came to town and opened a billiard parlor. I looked him over casually.

When he proposed a game, I answered, "All right." "Just knock the balls around a little so that I can get your gait," he said; and when I had done so, he remarked: "I will be perfectly fair withyou. I'll play you left-handed." I felt hurt, for he was cross-eyed,freckled, and had red hair, and I determined to teach him a lesson.

He won first shot, ran out, took my half-dollar, and all I got was the opportunity to chalk my cue. "If you can play like that with your left hand," I said, "I'd like to seeyou play with your right." "I can't," he said. "I'm left-handed."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

best,
brian kc

 

[Scaramouche]

www.poolknowledge.com[/url]

The new autobiography isn't indexed according to topic, so it isn't much good for finding billiards information that might be buried therein.

It is just the first of three volumes.
So perhaps we will be enlightened later.