Anything wrong with open bridge??
- Thread starter RunEm
- Start date
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I have always found that I closed my bridge for any shot that required power and left it open for all of the other shots. Lately though I have found that I am using a closed bridge for most of my shots.
But nothing wrong with either it's just what you are comfortable with.
But nothing wrong with either it's just what you are comfortable with.
That's pretty much how I feel about it. I feel equally comfortable with closed or open , but I think I play better shooting with an open bridge.
FWIW, I think the closed vs. open debate centers on the kind of feedback the shooter receives/wants...and it's different for everyone.
Although I usually use an open bridge for the unobstructed visual feedback, I like the tactile feedback of a closed bridge. I usually use a closed bridge for power shots like breaking and heavy draw or follow.
Although I usually use an open bridge for the unobstructed visual feedback, I like the tactile feedback of a closed bridge. I usually use a closed bridge for power shots like breaking and heavy draw or follow.
Yea I feel a lot better using open but that being said as some of u said I do use closed for most draw shots and some english just thought about this for while thought I would ask u guys thanks for the feedback all I just see a lot of guys using the closed in videos and stuff didn't know if I should change it but I guess they say if its not broke don't fix it
I used to use an open bridge for everything. It did take me some time to get
comfortable with a closed bridge.
After that, I use a closed for pretty much everything except those that lend themselves best for an open.
You have better control of the shaft for a draw shot for example. I am sure that many can draw a ball just as well with either. It is what I feel most comfortable with and others have their preferences too.
comfortable with a closed bridge.
After that, I use a closed for pretty much everything except those that lend themselves best for an open.
You have better control of the shaft for a draw shot for example. I am sure that many can draw a ball just as well with either. It is what I feel most comfortable with and others have their preferences too.
A closed bridge is usually recommended in older instructional material while in newer instructional material both bridges are presented and equally recommended.
If you want to feel why to use an open bridge, play a game of snooker. Small cues and balls makes seeing your point of contact easier. In pool it provides better vision of the cueball when sighting down the cue.
If you want to feel why to use a closed bridge, try hitting a few shots of 3-cushion billiards. When hitting a large heavy ball off-center, you will prefer having a closed bridge that keeps the cue from veering off of the intended line of the shot. In pool, it serves the same function. For shots that require hitting the ball off center, or on power shots with a longer follow-through, a closed bridge helps keep the cue on the intended line of the shot.
If you want to feel why to use an open bridge, play a game of snooker. Small cues and balls makes seeing your point of contact easier. In pool it provides better vision of the cueball when sighting down the cue.
If you want to feel why to use a closed bridge, try hitting a few shots of 3-cushion billiards. When hitting a large heavy ball off-center, you will prefer having a closed bridge that keeps the cue from veering off of the intended line of the shot. In pool, it serves the same function. For shots that require hitting the ball off center, or on power shots with a longer follow-through, a closed bridge helps keep the cue on the intended line of the shot.
I feel like I can see the line of aim better with an open bridge and I use it whenever possible. I still use a closed bridge for hard draw shots and most shots where I'm hitting the cueball more than a bit off center ball. I've been watching a lot of Darren Appleton matches lately, and I think he always uses an open bridge, as do all snooker players that I've seen.
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Probably would not want to drive across an open bridge but for pool it is a personal preference.
Seriously, on touch shots I like an open bridge-on power shots a closed bridge.
Seriously, on touch shots I like an open bridge-on power shots a closed bridge.
Colin Colenso has a YouTube video of him teaching the power break and he prefers to destroy the rack with an open bridge.
http://youtu.be/xW1tsONEI_U
http://youtu.be/xW1tsONEI_U
I've got some terible dings from hitting the low florescent lamp when I use an open-hand bridge. I told Wally (who runs the eight table room at the senior center) that I would pay to put felt covered ruberized strips on the ends of the lamps. He blasted back at me, saying that I should learn to stay down after a shot and not swing my cue in the air.
I have an appointment this afternoon to get my shaft retapered and the dings removed (and to get an Outsville hybrid M R&D tip installed).
I've been playing pool for 50 years. How in the hell am I going to learn not to swing my cue? It's a good thing that the cue maker is only an hour away.
I have an appointment this afternoon to get my shaft retapered and the dings removed (and to get an Outsville hybrid M R&D tip installed).
I've been playing pool for 50 years. How in the hell am I going to learn not to swing my cue? It's a good thing that the cue maker is only an hour away.
An open bridge is just as good as a closed bridge, except.........
An open bridge is just as good as a closed bridge, except when you are doing a "precision draw shot". If you have to draw the cue ball an exact distance I would recommend a closed bridge, besides that {shot} an open one is sometimes the best choice (especially when the cue ball is against/close to a rail). 'The Game is the Teacher'
An open bridge is just as good as a closed bridge, except when you are doing a "precision draw shot". If you have to draw the cue ball an exact distance I would recommend a closed bridge, besides that {shot} an open one is sometimes the best choice (especially when the cue ball is against/close to a rail). 'The Game is the Teacher'
IMO, 99 critical shots is the best book for improving 9-ball (not to say that you can't improve other games az well).
Open bridges seem to be taught (and preferred) by most of the instructors today. This is just from my observation, maybe you should ask this on the ask instructor section if you want expert advice. Good luck with your journey!
I used to worry an open bridge was somehow holding back my game, but after a while I realized plenty of top pros use one regularly.
Watch this match and notice how almost all of the bridging (even rail bridges) are open.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT6ttJ5PRU8
Notice also around the 5:45 mark, probably the first closed bridge on the cloth that we we see is a long precision draw shot, just like CJ suggested.
Good enough for shane and mike, good enough for me.
Watch this match and notice how almost all of the bridging (even rail bridges) are open.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mT6ttJ5PRU8
Notice also around the 5:45 mark, probably the first closed bridge on the cloth that we we see is a long precision draw shot, just like CJ suggested.
Good enough for shane and mike, good enough for me.