Bridge question

B

buyit

Member
I've seen several pros use an open bridge with the middle two fingers curled under:


Is that more stable than placing all your fingers flat on the table and cupping your hand? Or, is there some other reason for them to curl their fingers under?
 
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buyit said:
I've seen several pros use an open bridge with the middle two fingers curled under:


Is that more stable than placing all your fingers flat on the table and cupping your hand? Or, is there some other reason for them to curl their fingers under?
Click to expand...
It's just how they always do it. In fact, it prevents getting your open bridge as low as possible, so I don't like it.

pj
chgo
 
What's on the juke box?

I do it. I started doing it for left hand shots and it worked well.
My lady calls it my rocker bridge.
 
I've used it for left handed shots as well...seems a bit less wobbly? Dunno... Also a good way to raise the tip a bit while keeping the stroke level.
(edit) Look like that's what Sigel was doing in that shot...
 
buyit said:
... Is that more stable than placing all your fingers flat on the table and cupping your hand? ...
Click to expand...
No. It's a pointless idiosyncrasy. It probably is not significantly worse that the normal spread-finger open bridge, so if you like to use it for style or out of habit, it's not going to really affect your play.

Another reasonable bridge is make a fist, place your hand flat on the table, and then curl your thumb up to make a vee. Good for close quarters when you have balls close by.
 
I'd only curl my middle fingers if I wanted topspin on the cue ball, due to its size in English pool.
 
Not often I disagree with Bob and this is something someone should easily test for themselves. However, I will say that for me, beyond any doubt, tucking the two middle fingers back is more stable than all fingers forward. The two outside fingers still have the same spread, so the front of the bridge is just as stable or too close to tell. However, those two middle fingers that might add a little stability going to the front, add a lot of stability going to the back.

Simple theory really, a larger and firmer foundation with the fingers curled back. Too those knuckles planted have more stability than fingertips on the table. I often drop my bridge on the table with all four fingers forward. Then I deliberately curl the center two back. This is a case where I wouldn't listen to me or even Bob though. Too easy to test for yourself. Set up a shot that is a little touchy, mark your spots, start shooting alternating each bridge and keep score. After twenty shots, which bridge made more balls for you?

This is an issue that may or may not be relevant, humans have widely varying finger lengths compared to their other fingers. The length of your fingers compared to each other may come into play here. May not, just a random thought as I went to hit enter!

Hu
 
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