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"Deviation Due to Side"

Generally speaking, a long jenny into a top pocket is not nearly so difficult as is commonly supposed when the object-ball is well placed for the shot below a middle pocket. But when the object-ball is above the middle pocket, as the red is in my diagram, then these shots are anything but easy, and when played with the object-ball as far up the table as it is in my diagram, they must be written down as the sort of stroke one is always glad to get.

The reason the shot is so troublesome is due solely to the preliminary action of side before your ball hits the red.

If you place your ball for the jenny as indicated in my diagram, and play slowly enough for your ball to enter the top pocket humming with side, while the red is just cut out towards the centre of the table off the side cushion, you will have made one of the prettiest shots in the game of billiards.

But, as you will very speedily discover, there is a tremendous risk of dropping too full on the red and getting a kiss instead of scoring the pocket. This is because, when you play at this subdued strength, your ball turns to the right on account of the side it has on it, and hits the red much fuller than you have aimed to hit it.

John Roberts, who made this jenny better than any other cue man ever did, used to aim just to miss the object-ball, and made the stroke by depending on the side turning his ball sufficiently to make the correct ball-to-ball contact. A splendid stroke, well worthy of the great wizard of the cue, and reliable enough in his gifted hands.

But with the vast majority of amateur billiard players it is so very difficult to play at just the right strength to be sure of the ball turning exactly as required, that a more certain method is always preferable.