The Closed Bridge

[sammspocket]

I use the bridge that works the best for my hand....SPF=randyg

I concur 100%. Whether or not you're able to put that extra tension in your index finger all depends on how long your fingers are, how tacky (sweaty) your hands are, and how your hand is build.

Thanks for starting this great thread, Johnny (and for posting the giant photo of my wrinkly fingers :wink

 

[Slh]

i really don't see the reason why i should use a closed bridge. I always use an open bridge for every shot. When you have a bad stroke the closed bridge helps you but this don't mean who use a closed bridge has a bad stroke. Also the closed bridge is not good for draw shot because it increase the friction so in order to have the same draw with a closed bridge you have to hit harder than you would with an open bridge.

 

[dr_dave]

i really don't see the reason why i should a closed bridge. I always use an open bridge for every shot. When you has a bad stroke the closed bridge helps you but this don't mean who use a closed bridge has a bad stroke. Also the closed bridge is not good for draw shot because it increase the friction so in order to have the same draw with a closed bridge you have to hit harder than you would with an open bridge.

I also use an open bridge on almost all shots. I do use a closed bridge when I am forced to (e.g., when the bridge hand is hanging over a cushion). Also, with a firm shot (especially with English) where there are obstacle balls nearby, I use a closed bridge to prevent the cue from leaving the hand (after the CB is gone) and possibly hitting the surrounding balls. For more info, see:

http://billiards.colostate.edu/threads/bridge.html#open​

Regards,
Dave

 

[Gerry]

I asked Jim Rempe about different bridges once and he made me figure it out by saying only this....."try different closed bridges, and look at what it does to your bridge hand elbow" It took me a while to figure it out......

I actually use an open bridge for 95% of shots....breaking also.

G.

 

[Cue Guru]

I never put so much thought into my closed bridge before.

But, looking at the pictures in the first post, I can say mine is also different from both of those.

My index finger is between my thumb and middle finger. This allows a 'snug' wrap around the shaft with my longer fingers.

I also use a 13.25mm shaft, and have no trouble stroking through my style bridge.

If I use the first posted bridge (for sake of argument: I call that the 'textbook' bridge) I feel like the shaft needs to be A LOT fatter to 'fill' the bridge in my case.

I also use an open bridge on occasion- mainly on very long shots because I can reach an extra inch or so further with an open bridge vs. a closed one. Also when shooting over another ball of course.

I use the closed bridge whenever I can- in the table as well as on the rail.

 

[Ratta]

I just use the bridge which is comfortable for me and which makes me able to adjust easily.

 

[pooladdiction]

I asked Jim Rempe about different bridges once and he made me figure it out by saying only this....."try different closed bridges, and look at what it does to your bridge hand elbow" It took me a while to figure it out......

I actually use an open bridge for 95% of shots....breaking also.

G.

First off, great thread! I too have wondered why alot of top pros use that closed bridge. I've tried it and for me it's horribly uncomfortable for my index finger. I use the first close bridge like Samm. It's comfortable and works for me. Secondly, I found it really interesting what you said above. I went to the table just now after reading this and did an open bridge. Left elbow straight. Did a closed bridge. Left elbow now at an angle. Never thought about that before! I would really love it if you could expound upon your statement. Have you found your potting percentage has gone up since switching to the open bridge?

 

[stljohnny]

Wow, still getting lots of good responses. I'm going to try some different variations of the closed bridge as mine just doesn't feel right anymore. It could be me... nothing feels right lately; not my open bridge, not closed, not my grip, my stance... i feel like someone put me in a blender and then tried to tape me back together. maybe i'm just in a pool funk.

And Samm - I would've posted smaller pics, but that's all I could pick off from the PD website, sorry. lol

 

[randyg]

i really don't see the reason why i should a closed bridge. I always use an open bridge for every shot. When you has a bad stroke the closed bridge helps you but this don't mean who use a closed bridge has a bad stroke.

Also the closed bridge is not good for draw shot because it increase the friction so in order to have the same draw with a closed bridge you have to hit harder than you would with an open bridge.[/QUOTE]

HUH????
SPF=randyg

 

[Cue Guru]

I went to the table just now after reading this and did an open bridge. Left elbow straight. Did a closed bridge. Left elbow now at an angle. Never thought about that before!

I keep my left elbow straight with my closed bridge (unless I am bunched up for some reason)- this is part of the reason I am more comfortable with a 59" cue.

If you can have your elbow at EXACTLY the same angle every shot (which seems unlikely to me) you are fine. I assume I cannot bend my elbow exactly the same amount every shot, so for me, locking my elbow provides one less variable in my set up.

it was uncomfortable at first, but once I 'taught' myself to do it every shot, I feel more stable and secure with it.

You have three points of contact for stability: left leg, right leg and left arm (if right handed). If one or more of these three points are not stable and repeatable, how stable and repeatable will your shots be? I'm not a teacher, so honor their opinion above mine, but when shooting a rifle, the more stable/less movement the better for long range accuracy...

PS when doing a longer shot (but not so long as to lift a leg or use an open bridge), I purposely lean/press my lower body weight against the table to increase my 'foundation' as well. Seems to work for me.

EDIT=> Look at my avatar! Closed bridge, straight arm...

 

[stljohnny]

i really don't see the reason why i should a closed bridge. I always use an open bridge for every shot. When you has a bad stroke the closed bridge helps you but this don't mean who use a closed bridge has a bad stroke.

Also the closed bridge is not good for draw shot because it increase the friction so in order to have the same draw with a closed bridge you have to hit harder than you would with an open bridge.[/QUOTE]

HUH????
SPF=randyg

I was just gonna let that go... I've seen people argue that, but I don't agree at all. If the cue is sticking to your skin - clean it. lol It gets sticky with an open bridge too with enough humidity.

 

[Gerry]

First off, great thread! I too have wondered why alot of top pros use that closed bridge. I've tried it and for me it's horribly uncomfortable for my index finger. I use the first close bridge like Samm. It's comfortable and works for me. Secondly, I found it really interesting what you said above. I went to the table just now after reading this and did an open bridge. Left elbow straight. Did a closed bridge. Left elbow now at an angle. Never thought about that before! I would really love it if you could expound upon your statement. Have you found your potting percentage has gone up since switching to the open bridge?

I was being kinda cryptic......just because sometimes you have to try it out for yourself to get the feedback. Basically when my bridgehand rolls counter clockwise to make a different bridge (I'm lefty) it brings my right shoulder down and in towards the table bringing my cue alignment about perfect. When I bridge with a more "open" type closed bridge....rotated clockwise for me it throws my laft elbow out into a slight chickenwing!

Hopefully Jay will see this thread and maybe remember Buddy Hall talking about the closed bridge.....I rememeber reading that Buddy said his game jumped to the highest gear when he found the perfect bridge for him. Everything came into alignment and we all know the rest of THAT story!

hope this makes sense?

G.

 

[Slh]

I was just gonna let that go... I've seen people argue that, but I don't agree at all. If the cue is sticking to your skin - clean it. lol It gets sticky with an open bridge too with enough humidity.

the friction is not increased that much but when you use a closed bridge more skin is in contact with the cue. Try to play a draw shot with open or closed bridge and you will notice with the open bridge you need less power to get the some result. Probably you are used to use a closed bridge so you don't notice it but again, i really don't see the reason to use a closed bridge. Even with extreme spin i use an open bridge.. But i noticed Allison Fisher now use a closed bridge when she plays pool so i understand it has some advantage.

 

[stljohnny]

the friction is not increased that much but when you use a closed bridge more skin is in contact with the cue. Try to play a draw shot with open or closed bridge and you will notice with the open bridge you need less power to get the some result. Probably you are used to use a closed bridge so you don't notice it but again, i really don't see the reason to use a closed bridge. Even with extreme spin i use an open bridge.. But i noticed Allison Fisher now use a closed bridge when she plays pool so i understand it has some advantage.

I use an open bridge for the majority of my shots, but for anything with power, it's a closed bridge - as it is for the majority of the pool playing world I would think.

For me, if i need to the draw the cb and the distance from CB to OB is small, open bridge is fine - and yes it's nice and easy - but that's not because of the bridge, it's because of the distance.

A closed bridge shouldn't be squeezing the shaft, so while technically correct there's more skin touching the shaft - it shouldn't affect the speed the shaft slides through the fingers.

 

[TX Poolnut]

I think there's more range of height with an open bridge.

On the low side the open bridge can be "flattened" more because you don't need to bend the fingers to bring the thumb into contact with the middle finger like you do with a closed bridge.

On the high side the open bridge can be higher because the thumb can rest against the top of the index finger, but with the closed bridge you can't get your index finger to form a loop that high on your middle finger.

I also don't believe a closed bridge really adds stability or accuracy for any shot, except in the mind of the shooter (which can be important).

pj
chgo

I completely agree.