Modern Billiards (1902) (e-book) (used book) | John Roberts | bookbook.eu

Description

Excerpt from Modern Billiards
John Roberts, the famous son of a father no less famous in his day, was born at Ardwick, near Manchester, on August 15th, 1847, his father being at the time in charge of the billiard-room of the Union Club, Manchester.
When he was about ten years of age his father took the billiard-room at the George Hotel, Liverpool, and the family removed to that town. Young Roberts attended school at the Mechanics' Institute, Mount Pleasant, but the love of billiards was in his blood, and no sooner was he released from school than he used to make the best of his way to his father's billiard-room and knock the balls about for so long as he was allowed, which depended upon whether his father was present or not. If the elder was absent, young John would have fine times with Johnny Herst, one of the markers, who afterwards became a well-known player himself. It was from this Herst that young Roberts obtained much of his early instruction, if indeed he ever had any guidance beyond his own observation.
One of the regular customers at the "George" billiard-room at this time was Mr. James Barber, well known for his connection with the turf. He was a most enthusiastic billiard-player, and it was his custom to gamble heavily on any game he played. His most frequent opponent was a Mr. Hugh Williams, and they usually played games of 50 points up for 100 or 200, and the stakes in ready money were always stuffed into one of the pockets of the table.