Buddy Hall's bridge-hand revelation

[PhilosopherKing]

I've often heard about Buddy Hall having a dream about his bridge that changed his game; however, I don't recall ever hearing a description of the dream.

Does anyone know exactly what it was that came to him in his sleep?

Thanks

 

[Poolhall60561]

I think I remember reading about some aha moment Buudy had that changed his game and he never missed again. I read it in his bio “Rags to Rifleman”.

 

[nine_ball6970]

I've often heard about Buddy Hall having a dream about his bridge that changed his game; however, I don't recall ever hearing a description of the dream.

Does anyone know exactly what it was that came to him in his sleep?

Thanks

I remember the dream had to do with his bridge hand being more solid. I don't think there was an exact description of what he changed. If I recall, he said he didn't miss a ball for several months after changing it.

 

[garczar]

Doesn't hurt to have hands like hams. Buddy's got huge paws. His bridge is beyond solid.

 

[PoolBum]

Doesn't hurt to have hands like hams. Buddy's got huge paws. His bridge is beyond solid.

Like Raymond Ceulemans. His bridge is the Rock of Gibraltar.

 

[Poolhall60561]

I found the book and am looking for that specific quote.
Might take some time, a lot of small print.

 

[jackpot]

not sure about bridge,but

Back in the early-mid 70's Buddy lived in Dallas for a few months. He was in
Times Square pool room every day. He was a great player then but was not
yet BUDDY. He played Greg Stevens there three times (one win). He was
low over the cue,chin almost touching, and a long bridge. Years later I was
in Louisiana at Red Box's pool room (I think that was the name).This was
the place that had a private room dedicated to Buddy with a plaque at the
entrance that said something like this room dedicated to Buddy Hall, the
best nine ball player in the world. I was standing there reading it when john
Hager said come on in I'm playing Buddy Hall some one pocket, he hasn't
missed a BALL since we started. Buddy was in much more upright position
shorter bridge, and that beautiful pause stroke that everyone now is familiar
with. I don't know about the bridge dream but I suspect this was what it was
really about. Years later he was at Rusty's in Dallas and asked him about
it, he just smiled that big smile of his and said Yeah as I got older it got harder
to bend over. (this was before he got real fat). Yeah sure.
jack

 

[garczar]

Back in the early-mid 70's Buddy lived in Dallas for a few months. He was in
Times Square pool room every day. He was a great player then but was not
yet BUDDY. He played Greg Stevens there three times (one win). He was
low over the cue,chin almost touching, and a long bridge. Years later I was
in Louisiana at Red Box's pool room (I think that was the name).This was
the place that had a private room dedicated to Buddy with a plaque at the
entrance that said something like this room dedicated to Buddy Hall, the
best nine ball player in the world. I was standing there reading it when john
Hager said come on in I'm playing Buddy Hall some one pocket, he hasn't
missed a BALL since we started. Buddy was in much more upright position
shorter bridge, and that beautiful pause stroke that everyone now is familiar
with. I don't know about the bridge dream but I suspect this was what it was
really about. Years later he was at Rusty's in Dallas and asked him about
it, he just smiled that big smile of his and said Yeah as I got older it got harder
to bend over. (this was before he got real fat). Yeah sure.
jack

I first met/watched BH in '79-'80 in Tulsa. As far as his stance i'd call it perfect. He wasn't really upright or super low, just right. His bridge looked like it would survive nuclear warfare and that little pause was just beautiful to watch. He played the game in way that up til then i didn't think was possible.

 

[logical]

I think it involved "6-Fingers Mosconi"

Sent from my SM-G950U using Tapatalk

 

[ctyhntr]

Earl wants his bridge hand to be rock solid. Its the simple reason why you see those pics of thingies on his fingers. He wants to increase steadiness and reduce body tremors.

I remember the dream had to do with his bridge hand being more solid. I don't think there was an exact description of what he changed. If I recall, he said he didn't miss a ball for several months after changing it.

 

[jay helfert]

I've often heard about Buddy Hall having a dream about his bridge that changed his game; however, I don't recall ever hearing a description of the dream.

Does anyone know exactly what it was that came to him in his sleep?

Thanks

Shorten the bridge and get closer to the object ball! He never missed after that.

 

[jrctherake]

Shorter bridges are better.....but better for who?

There are way to many 15" bridges out there that seldom miss to say a short bridge is the way to go.

Sure, I believe "some" people could improve by taking a couple inches out of their bridge but....who knows?

 

[garczar]

Shorter bridges are better.....but better for who?

There are way to many 15" bridges out there that seldom miss to say a short bridge is the way to go.

Sure, I believe "some" people could improve by taking a couple inches out of their bridge but....who knows?

Long bridge is fine IF you have a laser-straight stroke. Long bridge punishes stroke errors more than a shot one.

 

[jrctherake]

Long bridge is fine IF you have a laser-straight stroke. Long bridge punishes stroke errors more than a shot one.

I understand, I was, at one time one of "those".

I had to relearn how to stand, bridge, hold my head....hell....even breath different while in stance to keep my longer-than-average bridge.

I have bridge back due to vision issues.

 

[Black-Balled]

I thought his secret was to put a few black beauties in your bridge hand every morning?

 

[Poolmanis]

I would guess he was paying more attention about bridge hand placement.
I practiced my leftie while ago and noticed when I did put all my focus about bridge hand placement, I was shooting them really good even opposite handed.
Tried to make century run on video(2 nights) just for fun but made 96 and missed pink..

 

[PhilosopherKing]

My guess is it's either what he's doing with his thumb on his closed-bridge, or he discovered some reference for placement.

 

[Tin Man]

Hey guys. I've been wondering about the importance of the bridge. People here talk about it being a critical piece of their fundamentals. They point out Earl's finger weights and explain how a solid bridge is crucial.

I've never really felt that way. I'm not sure that my bridge is super solid. It just works. It doesn't slide around or anything. It allows me to run my cue back and forth. I can generally hit the cue ball where I want. Is there something I'm missing here?

I think the stroke is paramount. Alignment. Then stance. These things I get. What's the big deal about the bridge?

 

[Black-Balled]

Hey guys. I've been wondering about the importance of the bridge. People here talk about it being a critical piece of their fundamentals. They point out Earl's finger weights and explain how a solid bridge is crucial.

I've never really felt that way. I'm not sure that my bridge is super solid. It just works. It doesn't slide around or anything. It allows me to run my cue back and forth. I can generally hit the cue ball where I want. Is there something I'm missing here?

I think the stroke is paramount. Alignment. Then stance. These things I get. What's the big deal about the bridge?

It is the base for delivery, no?

If your wheel is wobbly, your roll is too.

 

[PhilosopherKing]

Hey guys. I've been wondering about the importance of the bridge. People here talk about it being a critical piece of their fundamentals. They point out Earl's finger weights and explain how a solid bridge is crucial.

I've never really felt that way. I'm not sure that my bridge is super solid. It just works. It doesn't slide around or anything. It allows me to run my cue back and forth. I can generally hit the cue ball where I want. Is there something I'm missing here?

I think the stroke is paramount. Alignment. Then stance. These things I get. What's the big deal about the bridge?

I'm just curious about this mysterious, life-changing dream that Buddy Hall had.

But, if your bridge is off to one side or the other or not the appropriate height, how can you stoke straight or hit the cue ball accurately?