Break Shot Bridge - Open Or Closed?

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DrCue'sProtege

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
was wondering if someone can explain to me any difference there might be with regards to breaking with an Open bridge compared to a Closed bridge?

the last few days i have been using the open bridge, concentrating on striking the center and stopping the cue ball. seems like i have so much more luck breaking this way, although it appears the general concensus is a break cant be much good unless its with the closed bridge.

i have even noticed Archer has broke some with the open bridge.

thoughts?

DCP
 
For me it's the only shot where I use closed bridge always. Just holds the cue in place better, so the cue won't shoot up or anything.
 
I always use a closed bridge on the break shot. In general whenever I want to hit the cue ball hard or draw the cue ball I always use a closed bridge.
 
My fingers are just a bit short to be comfortable with a palm-on-table (as opposed to middle/ring/pinky finger elevating the bridge hand) closed bridge during a break. I find it difficult to hit center ball with out pulling my fingers in some and thus losing stability. There are already so many variables that when slightly altered will ruin a break and I feel it is best for me to eliminate at least one of them by breaking with a rail bridge. However, for 14.1 and one pocket I use an open bridge.
 
When I play 8ball I use a closed bridge break from near the head spot quite often. I can shoot it just as hard with an open bridge, but my shaft tends to lift too much then, which I don't like. For 9ball I use closed rail bridge 100% of the time.
 
DrCue'sProtege said:
was wondering if someone can explain to me any difference there might be with regards to breaking with an Open bridge compared to a Closed bridge?

the last few days i have been using the open bridge, concentrating on striking the center and stopping the cue ball. seems like i have so much more luck breaking this way, although it appears the general concensus is a break cant be much good unless its with the closed bridge.

i have even noticed Archer has broke some with the open bridge.

thoughts?

DCP
Click to expand...

I like a rail bridge for smash breaks (8/9 ball). I move the cueball closer to the short rail. About 1 diamond out and use the 1st two fingers on each side of the shaft. I aim just below center and hit center because I drop my elbow a little. When this is working, the cueball jumps back 6" and squats (unless hit by another ball). I will move the cueball across the table to find a good "spot" that allows me to make balls on the break (or at least 1 anyway). I start 1 diamond out from each rail.
 
General consensus is to use closed bridge. My main game is 8-ball, where a big break is needed, so most people will be breaking with a closed bridge or with a rail bridge. I however break with an open break. Its just what I am used to. The shaft for me goes forward, not up, and I get a very powerful break in....Balls spread out nice and almost always pot a ball with cue ball squatting in the middle of the table.

I like using the open bridge because I can pinpoint where the tip is hitting the cue ball, and I can see the point on the head ball that I want to hit.
 
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