Do you use an open or closed bridge? Mix of both?

What type of bridge do you use?

  • Always open bridge

    Votes: 11 7.1%
  • Mostly open bridge

    Votes: 43 27.6%
  • About even

    Votes: 50 32.1%
  • Mostly closed bridge

    Votes: 48 30.8%
  • Always closed bridge

    Votes: 4 2.6%

  • Total voters
    156
Jude, I see the cute little girl in your avatar has developed her own style bridge..Lets call that "the Claw bridge"..:D

PS..Should work great, for warding off unwanted male admirers! ;)

For starters, that's me at 5 years old and thanks, I hope to ward off all male admirers.
 
Hello AZB,

Another question for you guys. I'm curious about what is more popular around here. Open, closed, or a mix of both. Most sources I've read indicate that an open bridge is preferred, but when you look at the elite, they seem to favor the closed bridge, at least for the few I've observed.

If you change it up depending on the shot, please elaborate as of why.

For me, it's almost always open bridge unless it's impractical because of the CB position.

Thanks,
Sam

If you look at the "elite", they almost always use a closed bridge on the "shots that matter" or where they need the most precise stroke and precision.

I think "every shot matters" and always use a closed bridge, except for "gimmes" and shots where my reach or on the rail or over a ball prevents me from doing so.
 
If you look at the "elite", they almost always use a closed bridge on the "shots that matter" or where they need the most precise stroke and precision.

I think "every shot matters" and always use a closed bridge, except for "gimmes" and shots where my reach or on the rail or over a ball prevents me from doing so.

That could very well be why you will always be a 'C' player..All shots 'matter'!.:D :D :D

PS..I guess you are saying Ronnie O'Sullivan, is NOT an 'elite' player?..How many other players have you seen run 36 balls (15-reds, 15-7's, and six numbered balls) on a tight 6 X 12, multiple times?..And usually in about five minutes! :rolleyes:
 
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Hello AZB,

Another question for you guys. I'm curious about what is more popular around here. Open, closed, or a mix of both. Most sources I've read indicate that an open bridge is preferred, but when you look at the elite, they seem to favor the closed bridge, at least for the few I've observed.

If you change it up depending on the shot, please elaborate as of why.

For me, it's almost always open bridge unless it's impractical because of the CB position.

Thanks,
Sam

Each shot has it's own bridge needs depending on many factors, especially speed of hit, or if it's on the rail. Adjusting to the conditions causes different bridge needs as do different types of cloth. I've almost Never seen anyone use the nip bridge with the closed fist, I learned that years ago watching Lassiter. Buddy Halls bridge choices speak for itself.
 
Hello AZB,

Another question for you guys. I'm curious about what is more popular around here. Open, closed, or a mix of both. Most sources I've read indicate that an open bridge is preferred, but when you look at the elite, they seem to favor the closed bridge, at least for the few I've observed.

If you change it up depending on the shot, please elaborate as of why.

For me, it's almost always open bridge unless it's impractical because of the CB position.

Thanks,
Sam

I find I can control the fine tip placement on the cue ball better with a closed bridge, but can aim long shots better with an open bridge. So I usually use a closed bridge for routine or short shots and an open bridge for long shots that require precise aiming accuracy. The open bridge allows the player a longer sight line, particularly if you set up with your head well back of your bridge. I also use an open bridge when I have to stretch to reach a shot.

So my default bridge is closed, but I consider an open bridge an advantage on many shots and use it when needed.
 
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I use a closed bridge mostly with a shorter than most (now days) bridge length. Seems like I can
"keep a hold of" the cue ball better, in the words of an old mentor of mine.

Grew up using an open bridge though and still use it often. For me, probably a little more accurate
shot making but not much.
 
.



My bridge is always closed except shooting over a ball, shooting off the rail,

jumping, and masse' shots.




.
 
I started out playing mostly with a closed bridge playing pool (open only for snooker). Now I rarely play with a closed bridge in pool. Certain shots around the rail and some extreme spin/power shots are the exceptions. I find that I'm more accurate with the open bridge and I don't find very many downsides to it at all. A very rare time, when I really have to play way out to the side of the ball with power I find that I feel more secure with the closed bridge, but I'm not really sure if there is an objective advantage or if it's just a feeling.
 
That could very well be why you will always be a 'C' player..All shots 'matter'!.:D :D :D

PS..I guess you are saying Ronnie O'Sullivan, is NOT an 'elite' player?..How many other players have you seen run 67 balls (15-reds, 15-7's, and seven numbered balls) on a tight 6 X 12, multiple times?..And usually in about five minutes! :rolleyes:

I'm talking "elite", such as Efren, Mosconi, Lassiter, etc. Not snooker players...different game altogether with different mentalities. How come Ronnie can't beat the world class pool players at pool? I know there is no money in it, but it would make a statement. None of the world-class snooker players have ever dominated the pool world.

I was a "C" player for many years. "C", as in "cash". I wouldn't pick up a cue for funnies. I can still hang with the "A" players at Hawaiian Brian's and beat my regular playing partner (rated "A" in the tournaments) about 6 games to 1 when we play 9-ball on the one time I play a week, on Sundays.

FWIW, I played snooker well before I ever got really interested in pool. Nobody gambled much on snooker, where I grew up and worked in a pool hall, so I switched to pool.
 
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I find I can control the fine tip placement on the cue ball better with a closed bridge, but can aim long shots better with an open bridge. So I usually use a closed bridge for routine or short shots and an open bridge for long shots that require precise aiming accuracy. The open bridge allows the player a longer sight line, particularly if you set up with your head well back of your bridge. I also use an open bridge when I have to stretch to reach a shot.

So my default bridge is closed, but I consider an open bridge an advantage on many shots and use it when needed.

I agree with every thing you just said. However, when you look at the really top level players, most of their shots are "routine or short shots" because they control the cue ball so well.

I make every attempt to play position where I don't have to reach or stretch. Nobody can do that on every table layout, but it is something to strive for. I'm not saying you should try to attempt "perfect" position on every shot. You just need to be aware of the table layout, your capabilities, and what works best for you.

I think Buddy Hall once said something like, "don't play position when you already have it".
 
I use mix of both, but a little bit more to closed bridge. When I started, my teacher show me each kind of bridge, and told me find the comfort one for every type of shoot.

Closed seems more comfy to me when I hit below center of the ball.

I do watch the pro, but I'll find what works for me.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk
 
... How many other players have you seen run 67 balls (15-reds, 15-7's, and seven numbered balls) on a tight 6 X 12, multiple times?..And usually in about five minutes! :rolleyes:

OK, Dick, I know you've said you are old, but it's good to see that you are learning the modern math: 15 + 15 + 7 = 67. :smile:

[P.S. Snooker has only 6 "colors" other than the reds.]
 
OK, Dick, I know you've said you are old, but it's good to see that you are learning the modern math: 15 + 15 + 7 = 67. :smile:

[P.S. Snooker has only 6 "colors" other than the reds.]

He isn't the best at math. And maybe he plays snooker with a 1 (one) ball somewhere.

Now you know why I don't listen to half of what he says. It never adds up.
 
I'm talking "elite", such as Efren, Mosconi, Lassiter, etc. Not snooker players...different game altogether with different mentalities. How come Ronnie can't beat the world class pool players at pool? I know there is no money in it, but it would make a statement. None of the world-class snooker players have ever dominated the pool world.

I was a "C" player for many years. "C", as in "cash". I wouldn't pick up a cue for funnies. I can still hang with the "A" players at Hawaiian Brian's and beat my regular playing partner (rated "A" in the tournaments) about 6 games to 1 when we play 9-ball on the one time I play a week, on Sundays.

FWIW, I played snooker well before I ever got really interested in pool. Nobody gambled much on snooker, where I grew up and worked in a pool hall, so I switched to pool.

Didn't mean to strike a nerve there..I assumed you were a decent player, but then Hawaii has never been a 'hotbed' of pool talent. ;)..As for snooker being that much different than pool, I strongly disagree..Players like Ronnie or Higgin's etc., would have become world class champions, at whichever game they grew up playing.

It should be obvious, that our "elite" player's cannot penetrate the snooker ranks either, and many have tried recently. (AlexP., SVB, Duell, etc.)..Because thats been where the big prize money has been for quite some time now.. I also grew up playing mostly snooker, but as you stated, the action was pretty scarce here in the states, and even in Canada.

Why would R.O. and his peers, have any incentive to compete at pool, other than occasionally out of boredom?..They are all driving new Mercede's, and living in luxury..The average pool champion here may need a stakehorse, to even have a ride to stay in a Motel 6.

PS..I think we are both saying the same thing, but with a different emphasis on reality!..I too, have loved pool all my life, and played a pretty decent game myself, but I never found a way to make a good living at it. :sorry:
 
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Didn't mean to strike a nerve there..I assumed you were a decent player, but then Hawaii has never been a 'hotbed' of pool talent. ;)..As for snooker being that much different than pool, I strongly disagree..Players like Ronnie or Higgin's etc., would have become world class champions, at whichever game they grew up playing.

It should be obvious, that our "elite" player's cannot penetrate the snooker ranks either, and many have tried recently. (AlexP., SVB, Duell, etc.)..Because thats been where the big prize money has been for quite some time now.. I also grew up playing mostly snooker, but as you stated, the action was pretty scarce here in the states, and even in Canada.

Why would R.O. and his peers, have any incentive to compete at pool, other than occasionally out of boredom?..They are all driving new Mercede's, and living in luxury..The average pool champion may need a stakehorse, to even have a ride to stay in a Motel 6.

PS..I think we are both saying the same thing, but with a different emphasis on reality!..I too, have loved pool all my life, and played a pretty decent game myself, but I never found a way to make a good living at it. :sorry:

You didn't strike a nerve with me...I'm just stating the facts.

I'll be sure to mention to Hawaiian Brian and Rodney Morris that Hawaii doesn't produce any good players. I guess that is why they went to the mainland and took everybody's money.

FWIW, I'm not from Hawaii, but I've lived here for 20 years. I've lived in about 8 or so states and four different countries and travelled to many more. This just happens to be the place I'm at now.
 
You didn't strike a nerve with me...I'm just stating the facts.

I'll be sure to mention to Hawaiian Brian and Rodney Morris that Hawaii doesn't produce any good players. I guess that is why they went to the mainland and took everybody's money.

FWIW, I'm not from Hawaii, but I've lived here for 20 years. I've lived in about 8 or so states and four different countries and travelled to many more. This just happens to be the place I'm at now.

Both very good player's, but hardly the 'elite' status you mentioned earlier (Mosconi, Lassiter, and many more).. Neither have 'taken' everybodies money, that I've noticed!..I myself have seen dozens of player's over the years, that Rodney could not have overcome on his best day!

..What happened to our debate on snooker vs. pool?..I was enjoying that..:confused:..Please do not try to compare your Hawaiian heroes status in the pool world, with that of RO or Alex Higgins..It won't fit! :rolleyes:
 
Both very good player's, but hardly the 'elite' status you mentioned earlier (Mosconi, Lassiter, and many more).. Neither have 'taken' everybodies money, that I've noticed!..I myself have seen dozens of player's over the years, that Rodney could not have overcome on his best day!

..What happened to our debate on snooker vs. pool?..I was enjoying that..:confused:..Please do not try to compare your Hawaiian heroes status in the pool world, with that of RO or Alex Higgins..It won't fit! :rolleyes:

Snooker and pool are two different animals. Different equipment, different rules, different strategies.

NASCAR and demolition derby events both use cars, but they aren't the same thing.

Same as golf and putt-putt.
 
Snooker and pool are two different animals. Different equipment, different rules, different strategies.

NASCAR and demolition derby events both use cars, but they aren't the same thing.

Same as golf and putt-putt.

Why do you keep insisting they are so different? They both require the exact same set of skills, both physically and mentally!..Methinks you are just grasping at straws, to try and prove your point!
Ain't gonna work. :sorry:..BTW, in your analogy, which game is 'putt-putt' and which is real golf? :confused:

PS..I may be careless with my math, (unless there is money involved)..but I knows m'pool ! :cool:
 
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