Open or Closed Bridge

msmilwshooter

msmilwshooter

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I have been playing pool seriously now for about 1 1/2 years. My husband and I play now in leagues at a local pool hall and he has got me hooked! He has been playing for a lot longer and much more skilled than I. My goal now is really stepping up and improving so I can advance my game.

To the point...after a great lesson from a local pro (and lots of pointers from my husband who has helped me considerably!:love:) I finally found a closed bridge that I am comfortable with and proud to say my back arm is where it needs to be for a nice straight shot as well!

I was wondering what some of you are comfortable with or if it more or less depends on the shot you are taking. I hear good and bad on the open bridge and was curious on what others have to say.


Thanks for the insight!
 
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I personally switch bridges depending on the shot. I do I think I shoot more accurately with an open bridge, but I feel more comfortable with a closed bridge. Also I use the open bridge when jacked up and since I use it at other times I find myself a little more comfortable when jacked up than some of the people I play with/against.
 
msmilwshooter said:
I have playing pool seriously now for about 1 1/2 years. My husband and I play now in leagues at a local pool hall. My goal now is really stepping up and improving.

To the point...after a great lesson from a local pro (and lots of pointers from my husband who has helped me considerably!:love:) I finally found a closed bridge that I am comfortable with and proud to say my back arm is where it needs to be for a nice straight shot as well!

I was wondering what some of you are comfortable with or if it more or less depends on the shot you are taking. I hear good and bad on the open bridge and was curious on what others have to say.


Thanks for the insight!
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You'll hear lots of opinions that you should use a closed bridge for certain kinds of shots, usually to "help keep the tip on the cue ball" when using spin (especially follow). Don't believe them. That misconception mostly comes from the fact that the shaft can hop out of your open bridge on hard follow or sidespin shots - that can be distracting, but believe it or not it doesn't really matter to the outcome of the shot. None of that hopping happens during the 1/1000th of a second while the tip is in contact with the cue ball, so it's only your peace of mind and confidence that's affected (if they are affected).

You don't need to "hold the tip on the ball" in order to successfully execute any shot (you also don't need to "press down" with your back hand as some suggest). In fact, you could suspend your cue from strings and let it swing freely into the cue ball and get results just as good, for any kind of shot, as you would using a tight closed bridge.

I use an open bridge for every shot, including masse and breaking, unless a closed bridge will fit better into the space available on the table. I like it because it allows me to see the entire shaft in an unbroken line, which helps me aim most accurately. Snooker players almost universally use an open bridge for that reason, and more and more pool players, including pros, are using them for more and more shots.

However, there's nothing inherently wrong with a closed bridge for any shot, and if an open bridge is uncomfortable for one reason or another, or if you simply prefer a closed bridge for whatever reason or no reason at all, then by all means use a closed bridge for some or all of your shots.

pj
chgo
 
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Learn both.

Learn to play left handed. Learn to shoot behind your back. Learn different bridges off the rails. Learn different bridges to break with. Learn how to jump. Don't be intimidated.

Don't fence yourself in by making a decision to only learn one way to play. Your game will jump by leaps and bounds by experimenting with lots of new things.

Best of luck! :)
 
I'm with Sweetness on this one, mainly closed bridge. I can't exactly give you a reason why. I also can't tell you why I use the open bridge when I occasionally do. I guess the closed bridge is just a personal preference.
 
Poolnut's got it. I am mostly open but there are certain bridges off the rail where closed is much more sensible. And certain long shots feel like I can get a little more accurate with a closed one. Gotta be willing to switch to whatever works best. I've tried both for breaking and I think closed is probably the way to go there.

Sometimes I watch shane with his super hightower tripod closed bridge and he makes it look so perfect and rock solid that I get jealous and want to change my whole game to imitate it. But if you've been using open for a while then stick with it. It does not at all hold you back.
 
Like many others have already stated, I use a combination of the two. Closed bridge in center table. Open bridge on the rail and when jacked up over balls. I don't believe a closed bridge hinders my aiming performance. You still see where the cue is pointing.

If you watch efren reyes shoot, I have seen him use a closed bridge on the rail. His index and middle fingers cross over the top of the cue and he rests his thumb on the table, using it as a guide for the shot. Give that a try, maybe you will like it.
Imagine placing your thumb parallel with the cue, then wrap the two fingers over the top.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
You'll hear lots of opinions that you should use a closed bridge for certain kinds of shots, usually to "help keep the tip on the cue ball" when using spin (especially follow). Don't believe them.
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I say it is partially true for those with a bad stroke. An example would be early elbow drop on a close follow shot, causing the tip to rise and kindof accelerate upward instead of through the cue ball. if the drop is significant enough such that the cue actually would rise above where the top part of the loop is before contact with the cue ball, then it would have an effect.

i use a closed bridge for certain rail shots and breaking because I like to see my follow through and whether or not I delivered well. Also I like to bend house cues. I forgot if i used a closed bridge for jumping. I use open mostly because it allows me to use a shorter bridge for less error and use the cue as an aiming line.

snooker players use open bridges. however the top 3C players I have seen use closed bridges. interesting.
 
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I use a open bridge for almost all shots. I play a lot of snooker, so I try to maintain similar fundamentals (including bridge).

If your cue is coming off of your hand using a open bridge, it means there is a stroke flaw that you must fix. My cue never hops out even on force follow and power draws.
 
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Cameron Smith said:
I use a open bridge for almost all shots. I play a lot of snooker, so I try to maintain similar fundamentals (including bridge).

If your cue is coming off of your hand using a closed bridge, it means there is a stroke flaw that you must fix. My cue never hops out even on force follow and power draws.
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Don't you mean open?
 
Cameron Smith said:
I use a open bridge for almost all shots. I play a lot of snooker, so I try to maintain similar fundamentals (including bridge).

If your cue is coming off of your hand using a closed bridge, it means there is a stroke flaw that you must fix. My cue never hops out even on force follow and power draws.
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Mine used to when I had a slightly rear balanced cue. I now have a forward balanced cue and it doesn't anymore. Although my new cue could have improved my focus and dedication to playing well.
 
First, let me start by saying your husband sounds like a genius. Second, You should use whatever makes you comfortable but you should be used to ALL of them.
 
Johnnyz86 said:
Mine used to when I had a slightly rear balanced cue. I now have a forward balanced cue and it doesn't anymore. Although my new cue could have improved my focus and dedication to playing well.
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I think it would have more to do with your focus and/or comfort level. If the cue is coming off your bridge it is due to an inflexible and overly tight grip used in association with an elbow drop.
 
I use an open bridge and have a funky thumb when I shoot. It has always been real comfortable for me and it also fools my opponents. ha ha.

I agree with some others on here that comforming to a certain bridge on certain shots is not necessary. Finding comfort and what works for you is the key. I have about 3 or 4 different shots that I shoot with a closed bridge and that is because it's comfortable for the speed and spin I'm trying to get on whitey.
 
I switch between both as well. I personally use an open bridge on most shots. I usually only use a closed bridge on long shots that I need to put a lot of draw, left, or right on (I don't ever use a closed bridge when shooting with top spin). Just do what feels right to you on certain shots.
 
I now play mostly snooker, and have always used an open bridge. When I met up with Randy G. he insisted that I should use a closed bridge for draw shots. For me,using a closed bridge for draw shots makes them more powerful and accurate. Damned if I am going to tell him that:grin::grin::grin:
 
Scaramouche said:
I now play mostly snooker, and have always used an open bridge. When I met up with Randy G. he insisted that I should use a closed bridge for draw shots. For me,using a closed bridge for draw shots makes them more powerful and accurate. Damned if I am going to tell him that:grin::grin::grin:
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How about that.......SPF=randyg
 
Thanks for all the great feedback! I think I will still use both but definitely closed for the longer shots. I have a tough time with those.

I know that fixing my back arm is also the reason why I am shooting better. It is amazing how just the smallest details can affect your game.

I am really excited for the next time I practice and try some of the suggestions I just read!! BTW - MilwShooter, my husband is a genius lol!

:-)
 
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