Ernest Rudge arranged professional matches at his billiards hall in Chesterfield. In December 1913 a week long match was played at Chesterfield between the Australian billiards player George Gray, and Claude Falkiner from Featherstone. It went on in afternoon and evening sessions. Davis was allowed afternoons off from School to act as "spot boy" for this match. It also gave him the chance to view the technique of professionals. At one point during that week, Rudge asked Gray to give his opinion of Joe while watching him play. George Gray played in a stance sighting with both eyes centrally over the cue, and the cue running in the middle of his chin. But because he could not focus with his right eye, and his left eye was stronger, Joe played sighting in a stance with his left eye along the cue, with his cue coming to rest just to the left of his chin. George said of Joe's technique: ""The boy will never be a good player until he alters his sighting."" Joe was at first despondent about George's comments. For some time Rudge tried to change the technique and stance of Davis to get him to play ""two-eyed."" But he found he could not play this way naturally, and the decision was made not to try and alter this natural aspect of his style.