Tips from a pro....

[(((Satori)))]

Learn how to make a good bridge!!!!. It is one of the most important parts of good pool playing!!!!!. ( it's what helps you or allows you to go through the cue ball at the right angle that you need for the shot at hand!!!! Most people that I work with don't seem to understand this simple concept. Don't be lazy...make a good bridge people!!!

John Brumback

I'm curious, what are some of the most common mistakes you see that people are not aware of?

Buddy Hall says his game jumped when he realized in a dream one simple change he could make to his bridge. Do you have a tip that most might not know that you recommend?

 

[ProZack]

This is Why!!!

I heard from a few people that Pro players stay off this website because of all the arguing and different Opinions of NoBody's...

Here you have a Very accomplished player that is being nice enough to offer some valuable info. And you have 2 pages of people disagreeing. CRAZY!!

If it don't help that's fine because there may be 1000 that it does help.

 

[buckshotshoey]

Good post. If there is room on the table, I even put my elbow down so my entire forearm is flat on the table. Cant get more stable then that! It kind of works like Earls arm weights without the "hillbilly" look. Keeps the bridge from moving during the shot. Also I have incorporated Tor's advice on the bridge hand. Keep the base of the thumb on the table when possible. No matter if you use an open or a closed bridge, the thumb is the foundation. Keep your wrist flat on the table to keep base of thumb pressed to the cloth. VERY solid and no movement of the foundation to throw off a shot.

 

[Quesports]

That's the biggest load of junk I've ever heard. I'll show you more people than you care to see that you don't want any part of, and their bridge is non existent.

I do not believe my opinion is junk at all and to say their bridge is non existent is ludicrous. Unless they are playing one handed without using the rails.

The bridge is one of the first things to look at when studying an unknown opponents ability but not the only thing. There are also many great players and hustlers that hide their ability by attempting to mask their abilities. By studying their bridge hand and other table manners it will become obvious what their actual ability is. If it is consistent and solid (it does not have to be pretty) you can be reasonably sure the person has some knowledge of the game. If it's sloppy and inconsistent you'll see the results soon enough.. All good players possess a solid and consistent bridge that they have developed over years of hard work and dedication it does not matter if it's open or closed. JMO!

 

[macguy]

That's the biggest load of junk I've ever heard. I'll show you more people than you care to see that you don't want any part of, and their bridge is non existent.

Not really, it can be a give away. It takes a lot of hours at the table to have the flexibility in your hand to make a comfortable bridge and you can see it. That is hard to hide. All you have to do is make a bridge with your opposite hand no matter how good you play and see how awkward it is with out a lot of practice..

 

[trob]

How the hell is Eferin's bridge hand Weak lol I've helped a lot of apa players just by showing them a good bridge. Nothing is 100 percent but I think if you judge someone by how strong there bridge is I think you would be right a hell of a lot more then your wrong.

 

[lfigueroa]

I believe that what John is trying to tell us is that many players would benefit from a closer examination of the bridges they're using. The truth is that most of us don't think about this aspect of our game carefully enough and so some of us end up just plopping down and are actually using bridges that are wrong for the shot we're about to shoot.

Maybe we don't think about bridging; maybe we do what we do because it's what we've always done; maybe somewhere along the line we just adopted what the other players in our first pool room were doing; maybe some of us watched too many Mosconi videos (inside joke to John when we were learning to play pool.

Lou Figueroa

 

[Quesports]

I believe that what John is trying to tell us is that many players would benefit from a closer examination of the bridges they're using. The truth is that most of us don't think about this aspect of our game carefully enough and so some of us end up just plopping down and are actually using bridges that are wrong for the shot we're about to shoot.

Maybe we don't think about bridging; maybe we do what we do because it's what we've always done; maybe somewhere along the line we just adopted what the other players in our first pool room were doing; maybe some of us watched too many Mosconi videos (inside joke to John when we were learning to play pool.

Lou Figueroa

Well put Lou. I also think what John is alluding to is basic fundamentals. The bridge being one of the first of those, others could be how a person steps up to the table before he or she even puts their bridge hand down. Does the opponent study the table and make the best choice of shots, how do they take their stance, it all comes down to fundamentals. Any good solid player has those things ingrained into their per shot routine... If you choose to not pay attention to the way the opponent sets up then you may just end up racking a lot more than expected...:wink:

 

[John Brumback]

I believe that what John is trying to tell us is that many players would benefit from a closer examination of the bridges they're using. The truth is that most of us don't think about this aspect of our game carefully enough and so some of us end up just plopping down and are actually using bridges that are wrong for the shot we're about to shoot.

Maybe we don't think about bridging; maybe we do what we do because it's what we've always done; maybe somewhere along the line we just adopted what the other players in our first pool room were doing; maybe some of us watched too many Mosconi videos (inside joke to John when we were learning to play pool.

Lou Figueroa

I can still see that wrong bridge you used when you dogged that out on me during our one hole match at the dcc this year. Dummy ( Lou F.) was tryin to use an ol closed bridge with his palm on the cloth while trying to follow his cue ball two rails on a tight 9ft Diamond!! , You could have used a closed bridge for that shot but you should have had the palm of you hand up off the table,or... you could have just used an open bridge...but I'm so glad you didn't Just bustn your chops...Lou,but you know it's the truth. Later on after our match we were at the bar havin a few cold ones and I told Lou that he's been watching to many old Willie Mosconi videos lol.. He agreed I think.John B.

 

[slide13]

This is a well timed post for me. I'm still just starting out and been really focusing on my approach, setup, and stroke but I honestly haven't put in any time on my bridge lately. I'm starting to see some benefits from the other work and it's starting to feel more natural so I think it's time to start working on my bridge a little. Honestly I think it's pretty decent for many shots, but I have trouble off the rail, over a ball, and my break bridge (for some reason I don't know why...just never feels right). I'm sure my standard shot bridge could use some work too, but it's really the more specialty bridges that I need to practice some.

Thanks for the idea! Never thought about going and working on just bridging over balls or off the rail but I'm going to do it this weekend.

 

[naji]

I can still see that wrong bridge you used when you dogged that out on me during our one hole match at the dcc this year. Dummy ( Lou F.) was tryin to use an ol closed bridge with his palm on the cloth while trying to follow his cue ball two rails on a tight 9ft Diamond!! , You could have used a closed bridge for that shot but you should have had the palm of you hand up off the table,or... you could have just used an open bridge...but I'm so glad you didn't Just bustn your chops...Lou,but you know it's the truth. Later on after our match we were at the bar havin a few cold ones and I told Lou that he's been watching to many old Willie Mosconi videos lol.. He agreed I think.John B.

I agree bridge hand is important, but only to use the little finger or ring finger as a guide to help make the shaft go parallel by sighting the shaft and finger while warming up; you do need to spread out the bridge, that is if you are a big boy, and cannot bend low enough, and cannot do the snooker stance?

 

[Black-Balled]

It has always been a good bit surprising to me how little thought is applied by pool players vs 3c players, with respect to the bridge type necessary for a given shot.

As jb claimed in his post about Lou choosing the 'wrong' bridge, different bridge types influence cb action.

From bill smith's page, for example:
' It's critical that you use a very short fist or nip bridge, in order to hit the cue ball with maximum 6 o'clock English. The reason for that low bridge is to get as low on the cue ball as possible yet avoid elevating the butt of your cue; on this shot, you need quick draw action, and you can't get that with an elevated cue...'

 

[lfigueroa]

Well put Lou. I also think what John is alluding to is basic fundamentals. The bridge being one of the first of those, others could be how a person steps up to the table before he or she even puts their bridge hand down. Does the opponent study the table and make the best choice of shots, how do they take their stance, it all comes down to fundamentals. Any good solid player has those things ingrained into their per shot routine... If you choose to not pay attention to the way the opponent sets up then you may just end up racking a lot more than expected...:wink:

I think you're right too, Quesports. I believe another way to put what you're saying is that a player needs to decide before they descend into shooting position where they're going to hit the CB, which in turn means deciding on what bridge to use. I think that after a while that goes from a very conscious level to a subconscious/automatic level, but you need to train yourself first.

Lou Figueroa

 

[John Brumback]

This is a well timed post for me. I'm still just starting out and been really focusing on my approach, setup, and stroke but I honestly haven't put in any time on my bridge lately. I'm starting to see some benefits from the other work and it's starting to feel more natural so I think it's time to start working on my bridge a little. Honestly I think it's pretty decent for many shots, but I have trouble off the rail, over a ball, and my break bridge (for some reason I don't know why...just never feels right). I'm sure my standard shot bridge could use some work too, but it's really the more specialty bridges that I need to practice some.

Thanks for the idea! Never thought about going and working on just bridging over balls or off the rail but I'm going to do it this weekend.

Good and you are welcome. You can work on your bridge even without being on or near a pool table. Do finger stretching exercising. See how far apart you can spread your fingers so that you can spread them as far as you can when playing your pool.You might be amazed at how far apart they will spread after a few days of doing it. Watch the pros as close as you can. They will use "the right bridge " for the shot at hand.
Also you can practice making bridges on any table..doesn't have to be a pool table either. You can even practice them on your leg. I used fall asleep while I was practicing my pool bridge on my chest.I've seen many of my pool pro friends fiddling with their bridges while we were not anywhere close to a pool table:wink: Good luck and I hope this helps alot of pool players. John B.

 

[lfigueroa]

I can still see that wrong bridge you used when you dogged that out on me during our one hole match at the dcc this year. Dummy ( Lou F.) was tryin to use an ol closed bridge with his palm on the cloth while trying to follow his cue ball two rails on a tight 9ft Diamond!! , You could have used a closed bridge for that shot but you should have had the palm of you hand up off the table,or... you could have just used an open bridge...but I'm so glad you didn't Just bustn your chops...Lou,but you know it's the truth. Later on after our match we were at the bar havin a few cold ones and I told Lou that he's been watching to many old Willie Mosconi videos lol.. He agreed I think.John B.

oh, hell yeah I knew your were right. You gave me a very valuable (and free lesson with all the stuff we talked about at the bar that night, John. And lately I've had the opportunity to finally take what you said to me to heart and done a lot of "retooling."

Lou Figueroa

 

[John Brumback]

oh, hell yeah I knew your were right. You gave me a very valuable (and free lesson with all the stuff we talked about at the bar that night, John. And lately I've had the opportunity to finally take what you said to me to heart and done a lot of "retooling."

Lou Figueroa

Good deal Lou! I shouldn't have said that you "dogged" that shot..you just used the wrong bridge. Sorry I said it that way,bro John B.

 

[naji]

oh, hell yeah I knew your were right. You gave me a very valuable (and free lesson with all the stuff we talked about at the bar that night, John. And lately I've had the opportunity to finally take what you said to me to heart and done a lot of "retooling."

Lou Figueroa

Sorry i have to ask, any re-match on the horizon with the case man !! it will be interesting!

 

[LuckyStroke]

Good and you are welcome. You can work on your bridge even without being on or near a pool table. Do finger stretching exercising. See how far apart you can spread your fingers so that you can spread them as far as you can when playing your pool.You might be amazed at how far apart they will spread after a few days of doing it. Watch the pros as close as you can. They will use "the right bridge " for the shot at hand.
Also you can practice making bridges on any table..doesn't have to be a pool table either. You can even practice them on your leg. I used fall asleep while I was practicing my pool bridge on my chest.I've seen many of my pool pro friends fiddling with their bridges while we were not anywhere close to a pool table:wink: Good luck and I hope this helps alot of pool players. John B.

Does hand size affect "the right bridge" at all? SVB's bridge for example (one of them, I understand there are many), I can't make a bridge like that simply because my fingers are too short. The one I'm referring to is a closed bridge where you have the tip of your index finger touching the nail of the middle finger. My hands are plenty flexible (guitar, piano, and drums) but sometimes just aren't the right size to get into certain positions

 

[riedmich]

Learn how to make a good bridge!!!!. It is one of the most important parts of good pool playing!!!!!. ( it's what helps you or allows you to go through the cue ball at the right angle that you need for the shot at hand!!!! Most people that I work with don't seem to understand this simple concept. Don't be lazy...make a good bridge people!!!



John Brumback

Interesting issue, perhaps I think pretty similar, but to fully understand what you mean: can you describe more detailed how you define a good bridge?

 

[John Brumback]

Does hand size affect "the right bridge" at all? SVB's bridge for example (one of them, I understand there are many), I can't make a bridge like that simply because my fingers are too short. The one I'm referring to is a closed bridge where you have the tip of your index finger touching the nail of the middle finger. My hands are plenty flexible (guitar, piano, and drums) but sometimes just aren't the right size to get into certain positions

Yes,I'm sorry to say that short fingers are harder to make a good closed bridge. But you can shoot great pool with an open bridge.Just have to practice alot on keeping the cue from flying up off of your bridge hand,which is a good thing to practice anyway,imo. John B.

PS: even if you can't make a good closed bridge..try to make a good solid,fingers spread out,open bridge.It will improve your pool game.