Using the mechanical bridge - should it be banned?

[ultramafic]

For purposes of this conversation, I am talking about playing on a 9' or smaller table. Please keep that in mind.

That said - I think use of the mechanical bridge is BS. I think that having to reach for a shot, make a shot off-handed, playing a reachable but less desirable shot or winging it when necessary, and putting your opponent IN these situations as a defensive strategy, should all be part of the game - while use of the mechanical bridge should not be. Just like in pro golf, walking the course is part of the game. No carts allowed (unless you're the guy whining about his ADA issues).

So - suppose BCA (or similar body) banned use of the mechanical bridge in the "official rules" of the various games of pool (again, we're not talking about snooker, etc.), who amongst you would whine and who would cheer?

Count me in cheering section.

 

[justadub]

I believe my perception of your posts from another thread is spot on.... you do like to stir the stuff, don't you?

It'll be fun to watch this one play out.

(For the sake of the intent of your post, I don't agree. All people are not created equal in the length of their arms and legs.)

 

[mdavis228]

I disagree - AND I think this is a really inane thread to start, or argument to have.

 

[pooltchr]

Bridges, cue extentions, and even jump cues are all tools that are a part of the game. I don't see any benefit in banning any of them.

Steve

 

[ultramafic]

I believe my perception of your posts from another thread is spot on.... you do like to stir the stuff, don't you?

This is an issue that has stuck in my craw a long time. I just decided to ask about it, now that I have the opportunity.

(For the sake of the intent of your post, I don't agree. All people are not created equal in the length of their arms and legs.)

Using that argument - all "sports" should be adjusted for the physical characteristics of the players. Short people should be given a distance spot in races, weak people shouldn't have to lift so much weight to win a weight lifting competition, etc.

The alternative argument is that a big component of "sport" is overcoming one's limitations and defeating opponents who are "physically superior" in some way, by using training, personal initiative, technique, etc. For example - consider the principles of Judo.

 

[Neil]

...............

 

[ultramafic]

So, according to you, only tall slender people should play pool without a handicap of table size? Short fat people should be punished for having the parents they did. Yeah, that makes a lot of sense.

I didn't say anything about punishing anyone.....but if short, fat people are not given extra tools to do the job in a sprint race, I dunno why they should be given them in a game of pool either.

 

[TimKrazyMon]

For purposes of this conversation, I am talking about playing on a 9' or smaller table. Please keep that in mind.

That said - I think use of the mechanical bridge is BS. I think that having to reach for a shot, make a shot off-handed, playing a reachable but less desirable shot or winging it when necessary, and putting your opponent IN these situations as a defensive strategy, should all be part of the game - while use of the mechanical bridge should not be. Just like in pro golf, walking the course is part of the game. No carts allowed (unless you're the guy whining about his ADA issues).

So - suppose BCA (or similar body) banned use of the mechanical bridge in the "official rules" of the various games of pool (again, we're not talking about snooker, etc.), who amongst you would whine and who would cheer?

Count me in cheering section.

Bridges & the like are a part of the game, not everyone is equal in height, arm length, etc.

Don't you get a drop for an unplayable lie?

 

[ultramafic]

Don't you get a drop for an unplayable lie?

Sure. But it comes with a penalty. Besides which, there is no sense of defense in golf.

 

[TimKrazyMon]

Sure. But it comes with a penalty. Besides which, there is no sense of defense in golf.

And the bridge comes with the penalty of not being able to take your normal stroke.

 

[Sarnia Shorty]

Ultra I am going to have to strongly disagree with your post. My first question to you is how tall are you? I am 5'-4" (thus the name) and I have had many shots on a 7' table that I have had to use the mechanical bridge. The length of a player's arms should not be used as a defensive strategy in pool.

 

[DogsPlayingPool]

Nothing wrong with the mechanical bridge. If you banned it, then I assume you would ban cue extensions too. At that point now everyone will have to go out and get 80" cues to bring with them to league to go along with their playing cue, break cue, and jump cue. Besides, most players today seem to dislike the bridge and avoid its use at all costs - it seems most players prefer to either stretch out for the shot, use an extension, or switch hit before they go to the bridge.

Would certainly create business for the cue and case makers though.

 

[sawtex]

Why not ban jumpbreak sticks, hand powder, gloves, chalk holders, cue slickers, tip tapers and picks as well. All tools of the game. To make it totally fair everyone must shoot with a warped house stick no chalk.

 

[bobroberts]

For me personally i hate the bridge but as far as i know its ben around since the inception of pool.So i would keep it.

 

[scrappy]

mdavis228 nice verbiage on the use of the word inane :thumbup:

it will never go away so it's a moot point, i can shoot either hand but others can't hence the option to use a mechanical bridge is there for a valid reason

 

[ultramafic]

Ultra I am going to have to strongly disagree with your post. My first question to you is how tall are you?

6'.

The length of a player's arms should not be used as a defensive strategy in pool.

Why not? Besides which, many shots with the bridge can be avoided simply by playing off-handed.

 

[ultramafic]

To make it totally fair everyone must shoot with a warped house stick no chalk.

I think that's called "NASCAR".

 

[hang-the-9]

Bridges, cue extentions, and even jump cues are all tools that are a part of the game. I don't see any benefit in banning any of them.

Steve

Myself, and many many players probably won't agree with the jump cue as being part of the game. They are a crutch and a gimick that tries to replace skill in jumping and kicking. Even cue extentions should be looked at, most sports have a limit as to how large a hitting area can be for example. Cues should have a min and max size range for length and tip size.

 

[dlabout]

Wow, hope I don't regret this statement but...
To take your analogy and carry it through to golf, so everyone plays with the same size, style and weight of clubs from the same tee? Golf has had the equipment change over the years and yet there is nobody saying that they all should be playing with wooden shaft and wood drivers??
The development of new equipment is inevitable and in turn a sport has to determine if it give a player an unfair advantage. I would say that if you CAN shoot not using the bridge then you have an advantage over a player using a mechanical bridge. Better control and feel. However, to eliminate it from the game would be like telling a golfer he can only use one wedge and one wedge only.

My 2 cents. Have a good one!!
-Doug

 

[hang-the-9]

6'.

Why not? Besides which, many shots with the bridge can be avoided simply by playing off-handed.

Crazy talk. I'm 5'6 and I can't reach much past the middle of the table with either hand to shoot comfortably. Maybe you should suggest that people under 6' play on 7 footers and the rest play on 9 footers.