In about 1815, Carr took a job as a billiard marker at the Upper Rooms in Bath, a role that involved keeping the score of billiards matches.
In this role, his employer John Bartley taught Carr how to play billiards with the use of side, which was at that time was a rare skill.
Carr would conceal his method by seemingly aiming at the centre of the cue ball and only changing to strike to the side of the cue ball when actually playing the shot.
Carr would claim that these shots were possible due to the use of a special "twisting chalk," which he would sell for half a crown a box.
[1] Carr successfully played challenge matches for money, but lost most of his winnings through gambling.