Billiards bridge vs Snooker bridge?

Turbo Ghost

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've noticed most professional pool/billiards players use the closed bridge while most professional snooker players use an open bridge. Oddly enough, I shoot more snooker than anything and have always used an open bridge but, when I used to shoot in 9-ball tournaments, I used a closed bridge. Has anyone ever suggested a reason for the difference? I'll also post this in the snooker forum to see what both sides have to say.
 
I guess whatever works for you is fine but imho the reason is likely due to the typical taper on a snooker cue (more conical) than a pool cue (pro taper more straight/same diameter for 12" or so). Closed bridge is just not as comfortable with a conical taper cue.

BTW, a lot of guys around here do use primarily an open bridge for whatever reason - uninterrupted line of sight is often cited as the reason. While I use the open bridge occasionally, I primarily use a closed bridge. I just feel I have more control in keeping my stroke straight, minimizing any lateral movement of the cue. That's just me, YMMV.
 
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I've noticed most professional pool/billiards players use the closed bridge while most professional snooker players use an open bridge. Oddly enough, I shoot more snooker than anything and have always used an open bridge but, when I used to shoot in 9-ball tournaments, I used a closed bridge. Has anyone ever suggested a reason for the difference? I'll also post this in the snooker forum to see what both sides have to say.

I always try to use the bridge most appropriate for the shot that also gives me confidence. For extreme spin shots and extreme draw I will use one of the many variations of a closed bridge unless I am shooting off a rail then a rail bridge will be used for a majority of those shots.
 
I guess whatever works for you is fine but imho the reason is likely due to the typical taper on a snooker cue (more conical) than a pool cue (pro taper more straight/same diameter for 12" or so). Closed bridge is just not as comfortable with a conical taper cue.

Good point! I hadn't thought of that!
 
I always try to use the bridge most appropriate for the shot that also gives me confidence. For extreme spin shots and extreme draw I will use one of the many variations of a closed bridge unless I am shooting off a rail then a rail bridge will be used for a majority of those shots.

I'd say whatever gives you the most confidence is always going to be best!
 
Maybe because in snooker the balls are like marbles compared to billiards and you can't see them as well with a closed bridge.

I play snooker only very occasionally,(hardly ever) but, when I do, I also find myself using an open bridge.
 
Posted in the Snooker forum:
Drunks and young kids usually play with a closed bridge.

It makes sense in that a cue is less likely to slide out of the hand and cause damage.

Well, after the brilliance displayed by that post, the logical counter would be this:

"Wannabe club players who flip burgers as their primary source of income usually play with an open bridge. After all, the motion is the same -- slap the hand down on the table like a hamburger patty, and the absorbed grease provides the needed lubrication for the shaft to slide upon."

-Sean
 
Yep, wannabe's like Thorsten... :D

Ghosst:

You missed the humor. I was being disdainfully sarcastic at "Wity"'s expense.

-Sean <-- who uses an open bridge himself, probably about 30-40% of the time.
 
One thing I've noticed, though

There are basic open bridges, where the fingers are splayed flat on the table and the thumb is brought up, and then there are variations on which fingers are bent, curled under, huddled together for warmth... Usually my fingers are spread out as much as I can get them for an open bridge, with the one exception that my index finger is curled under. If I have to bend any fingers to avoid fouling another ball, I close my bridge.
 
Playing either game, I use whichever bridge seems more natural for the particular shot. Some shots require spin that is not easily controlled (by me) with an open bridge while others are better handled with that style. I've always used a cue with a 13mm (or slightly larger) tip to play both pool and AMERICAN snooker.

Were I forced to use what seems to be everyone's preference for snooker (a darning needle of a cue :D ), it would have to be almost exclusively used with an open bridge. I cannot maintain the same level of control with a closed bridge when using tiny shafts. There is a loss of natural fit in my closed bridge when the shaft is too small.

But, to each his own.
 
I've never used a closed bridge - can't see the point of them. It's just a fad that people have copied to look cool. How do you generate power with a closed bridge?

Anyway, as with all these pool Vs snooker debates, snooker every single time. It's no coincidence snooker players are light years ahead of pool players in every technical area of the game. I see a lot of top class pool players play, and wonder how they can be as good as they are. I'm not saying they're not very, very good, but they'd be a whole lot better if they started with snooker fundamentals at an early age.

Snooker players: top class thoroughbreds.
Pool players: the old adage 'a camel is a horse designed by committee' springs to mind.
 
I've never used a closed bridge - can't see the point of them. It's just a fad that people have copied to look cool. How do you generate power with a closed bridge?

Anyway, as with all these pool Vs snooker debates, snooker every single time. It's no coincidence snooker players are light years ahead of pool players in every technical area of the game. I see a lot of top class pool players play, and wonder how they can be as good as they are. I'm not saying they're not very, very good, but they'd be a whole lot better if they started with snooker fundamentals at an early age.

Snooker players: top class thoroughbreds.
Pool players: the old adage 'a camel is a horse designed by committee' springs to mind.

Name any snooker champion who would have a ghost of a chance playing
3 cushion vs even a shortstop player.

If Snooker were really as superior as you fans feel, this would not
be the case.

In fairness, i should point out that most Carom, esp 3 cushion, enthusiasts
consider Snooker to be a joke.
"No game for a grown man" is the dismissive phrase often used.

They are just as wrong as you are. IMHO.

Dale(who has achieved equal mediocrity in all 3 disiplines)
 
Name any snooker champion who would have a ghost of a chance playing
3 cushion vs even a shortstop player.

If Snooker were really as superior as you fans feel, this would not
be the case.

In fairness, i should point out that most Carom, esp 3 cushion, enthusiasts
consider Snooker to be a joke.
"No game for a grown man" is the dismissive phrase often used.

They are just as wrong as you are. IMHO.

Dale(who has achieved equal mediocrity in all 3 disiplines)

I believe he is not saying snooker is a superior game but he is saying snooker players have better technique which is most of the time true.
 
Name any snooker champion who would have a ghost of a chance playing
3 cushion vs even a shortstop player.

If Snooker were really as superior as you fans feel, this would not
be the case.

In fairness, i should point out that most Carom, esp 3 cushion, enthusiasts
consider Snooker to be a joke.
"No game for a grown man" is the dismissive phrase often used.

They are just as wrong as you are. IMHO.

Dale(who has achieved equal mediocrity in all 3 disiplines)

Fella, very, very few snooker players will have even heard of Carom or 3 cushion, let alone have the inclination to play it. Your beloved Carom players are good at a specific element of cue sports, but surely lack the depth required to make it as a snooker player. Plenty of us fall into that category.

Just curious - why do 3C enthusiasts 'consider snooker to be a joke'? Strikes me such players suffer from cue sport autism.
 
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