What shots objectively benefit from a closed bridge?

Oikawa

Oikawa

Well-known member
I've heard people say that, there are certain shots where even those pros who primarily use an open bridge switch to a closed bridge. Does anyone have any examples of those? Shots where a closed bridge performs objectively better than an open bridge? I shoot all shots with an open bridge and have yet to come across a shot where it gives me issues. I've tried using a closed bridge in many different types of shots but it doesn't give me any benefits. I often hear that a closed bridge gives more stability (as in, less room for the cue to steer off), and perhaps if you have a very wobbly stroke this might limit large issues, but you can certainly steer your stroke in any direction and miss the shot, no matter if you use open or closed. So I don't really understand how a closed bridge is suppose to help at all. It seems like most snooker pros, if not all, use open bridge for all shots, or am I mistaken?

I can totally understand the subjective reason of either bridge feeling better or being easier to form. But am looking for individual shots and explanations of those situations, where there's some specific reason why a closed bridge performs better, and why everyone should perhaps try to use a closed bridge for those specific shots.
 
The fist bridge forces players to hit the ball low. This helps players who have never before drawn the ball to get zippy draw.

The rail bridge is far more secure than other bridges that might be used in the same situation.

There are some bridges in awkward positions along the cushion where it's hard or impossible to make a good open bridge.

Snooker pros have special techniques to keep the stick from coming off the open bridge on power shots.
 
I’m like you: use an open bridge for all shots, including break shots - except I can make my closed bridge a little smaller for crowded conditions.

pj
chgo
 
The next time someone gives you advice on what shots to shoot with a closed bridge, ask them how long they played exclusively with both bridges.

Most players do not experiment with the opposite style by playing with it exclusively. So what kind of advice do you think they're going to give you if they, themselves, don't even know the entire range and benefits of the bridge they don't normally use?

So obviously, players will favor what they are most familiar with.

I'm a closed bridge player, but I shot exclusively with an open bridge during a two-year period of time when I used a strong tapered shaft which was uncomfortable to push through the loop of a closed bridge. When I eventually changed shafts and switched back to the closed bridge, I didn't miss the open bridge at all, in fact, I felt relieved to be able to go back to my closed bridge.

The only benefit I gained by shooting with an open bridge exclusively for two years was that I became more comfortable shooting the occasional mandatory open bridge shot, like in shooting over a ball, for example.

Now that's my personal experience as someone who learned with a closed bridge. It's all subjective to the individual.
 
Patrick Johnson said:
I’m like you: use an open bridge for all shots, including break shots - except I can make my closed bridge a little smaller for crowded conditions.

pj
chgo
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The break shot is shot the only time I use a closed bridge, but I agree with you, it's mainly about the physical space for the bridge. I think it's easier to look down the shaft and sight in the shot with an open bridge.

I have tried breaking with an open bridge and had no problem, but it felt strange, like running with my shoes untied.
 
As Bob pointed out, there are some tricky bridging situations near the rail where a loop bridge must be used as an open bridge is very tricky or impossible.

Also, there are tight cueing situations near other balls where a loop bridge makes extra sure the cue doesn't come off its intended path to tap a ball.

Personally, I favor the loop bridge, as do many players with loopy techniques like I use. Aso, Ive gotten bigger than I was and rather than alter my setup for total clearance, I kept my natural plane which has my stroke finish run into my upper 'chest'. This doesnt affect cueing as the CB is long gone by the time my hand makes contact with my body, but the loop bridge keeps the cue where it is supposed to be whereas an open bridge can get knocked off to the right at body contact.

In a similar way, on big power shots, many players will aggressively finish their stroje and the tip of their cue will fly up. This can often be observed even in snooker players on big draw shots. Carlo Biado is an example in the pool world of a gjy who plays mostly open bridges even on power draws and jis big strokes often finish with the cue flying up after his stroke runs out of room in his finish. A loop bridge keeps the cue down and keeps things looking tidy into the finish for such shots.

Really tho, other than for the impossible bridging situations near the rail, an open bridge can be used with no detrimant to one's game. Preference thing.
 
WobblyStroke said:
Carlo Biado is an example in the pool world of a gjy who plays mostly open bridges even on power draws and jis big strokes often finish with the cue flying up after his stroke runs out of room in his finish.
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My shaft sometimes ends up on my wrist after jumping out of my open bridge on a shot with speed and spin. Has no effect on the shot - I hardly notice it any more.

pj
chgo
 
Patrick Johnson said:
My shaft sometimes ends up on my wrist after jumping out of my open bridge on a shot with speed and spin. Has no effect on the shot - I hardly notice it any more.

pj
chgo
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Ye I get that. My cue jumping off has no effect either. I still prefer to keep it tidy and under control thru the finish with a loop bridge tho. like i said b4...it's a preference thing....except the rare railside bridging situations where loops are a must.
 
not an instructor
*objectively*, I can't think of a reason why a closed bridge is better than an open bridge
there are of course many cueists that have proven that using either/both bridges can work well
personally, I like an open bridge for most shots- I like being able to see more of the tip/cb
and does using an open bridge offer less impediment to the stroke? it kind of feels that way
this said, I like being able to use a closed bridge successfully- I like the "security" it provides
 
A few have mentioned the rail situations where you'd use a rail bridge. I set up those by having two fingers (middle and index) around the cue from both sides, but nothing on top of it, so I'd still classify that as an "open" rail bridge. Is this a bad bridge in some way that I might not realize? Is there some objective benefit to having a "closed" rail bridge in those specific situations, where you need to use a rail bridge?

As for power shots e.g. the break, I have tried both open and closed, and I feel like the closed bridge doesn't help me cue any straighter or avoid miscues. I use a staight piston stroke (think Fedor Gorst's stroke, just with worse timing), maybe there's more to be gained from a closed bridge if your stroke is more pendulum'ish, moving along the Y-axis?

As others have mentioned, the benefit I have from using an open bridge is seeing the whole shaft/ball instead of the bridge hand blocking some of it/them. This is the reason I originally started using an open bridge and never changed due to not seeing any benefits in a closed bridge.
 
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WobblyStroke said:
if u say so. but by far most common is the 2d cartesian plan which is x for sideto sideand y for up and down. then u add the z plane for depth in 3d.
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Common doesn't mean the only interpretation. In the CNC world, CAD, etc Z is pretty much synonymous with height/vertical axis. Again, it depends on the application and isn't set in stone either way. That's why I asked for clarification, as I use it daily it means verical, as you use it it means depth. Neither of us are wrong and I wanted to be sure I understood what I was reading.
 
boogieman said:
Common doesn't mean the only interpretation. In the CNC world, CAD, etc Z is pretty much synonymous with height/vertical axis. Again, it depends on the application and isn't set in stone either way. That's why I asked for clarification, as I use it daily it means verical, as you use it it means depth. Neither of us are wrong and I wanted to be sure I understood what I was reading.
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fair enough. i actually had no idea computer design guys used different labels on the axes compared to what u see in mathematics. but i think most ppl dont really deal with planes outside of their high school math days and the 'default' is y is the vertical axis. at least we all on the same page now lol.
 
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