Closed vs open bridge - Efren Reyes

QuietStorm

QuietStorm

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
I've noticed a difference in Efren Reyes' bridge hand as he progressed over the years (via YouTube vids). Early in his career, Reyes used a closed bridge on almost all of this shots. In his matches beginning in 2000, he had switched to using an open bridge on most of his shots. However, his open bridge seems forced.

Check out this instance in the 2017 Derby City Classic (@11:32) - https://youtu.be/S22RixspcSc?t=11m32s. He shoots with an open bridge, but he moves his index finger over the shaft after almost every shot. With this and the fact that he occasionally jerks his bridge hand after a shot makes it difficult for noobs like myself to imitate his style.

(I know that the jerk in the bridge hand comes from the days before low deflection shafts were used and players had to physically compensate for cue ball deflection)

What I'm wondering is why Reyes decided to switch to using an open bridge, at a time when he was in the middle of his prime and already winning a plethora of major tournaments using a closed bridge hand. Did the trend to use the open bridge hand come in the late 90s? Was it something with his eyesight that made using an open bridge a necessity? ... Is this really something worth creating a new thread?? :p
 
Could be from arthritis in the joints. For some people, it makes it easier
to see the OB and/or the CB. A lot of 1 pocket players use an open
bridge most of the time. It seems to be better for 'touch' shots.
Next US Open or DCC, ask him. Hes good to talk to.
Good luck
 
The open bridge is to let some of the "Magic" out of his hand. If you think his eyesight is poor, offer to play him some One Pocket, 14.1, 10 ball, 9 ball or 3 cushion for some cash.
 
mrknight411 said:
I've noticed a difference in Efren Reyes' bridge hand as he progressed over the years (via YouTube vids). Early in his career, Reyes used a closed bridge on almost all of this shots. In his matches beginning in 2000, he had switched to using an open bridge on most of his shots. However, his open bridge seems forced.

Check out this instance in the 2017 Derby City Classic (@11:32) - https://youtu.be/S22RixspcSc?t=11m32s. He shoots with an open bridge, but he moves his index finger over the shaft after almost every shot. With this and the fact that he occasionally jerks his bridge hand after a shot makes it difficult for noobs like myself to imitate his style.

(I know that the jerk in the bridge hand comes from the days before low deflection shafts were used and players had to physically compensate for cue ball deflection)

What I'm wondering is why Reyes decided to switch to using an open bridge, at a time when he was in the middle of his prime and already winning a plethora of major tournaments using a closed bridge hand. Did the trend to use the open bridge hand come in the late 90s? Was it something with his eyesight that made using an open bridge a necessity? ... Is this really something worth creating a new thread?? :p
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He's always used both. You can't be a champion balkline player without having a a good open hand bridge.

I'm assuming that he switches to open hand more today when he needs to sight better on certain shots. He's been missing more in the past few years (due to his sight), so maybe he just switches more often today.

Does his open hand bridge look forced? It's never looked elegant, graceful or particularly coordinated. Check out videos of him masséing. His bridge hand always looks goofy.

So, he might be using an open hand more today, but it's not new for him to use it on a good percentage of shots by any means.

Freddie <~~~ open heavy
 
mrknight411 said:
I've noticed a difference in Efren Reyes' bridge hand as he progressed over the years (via YouTube vids). Early in his career, Reyes used a closed bridge on almost all of this shots. In his matches beginning in 2000, he had switched to using an open bridge on most of his shots. However, his open bridge seems forced.

Check out this instance in the 2017 Derby City Classic (@11:32) - https://youtu.be/S22RixspcSc?t=11m32s. He shoots with an open bridge, but he moves his index finger over the shaft after almost every shot. With this and the fact that he occasionally jerks his bridge hand after a shot makes it difficult for noobs like myself to imitate his style.

(I know that the jerk in the bridge hand comes from the days before low deflection shafts were used and players had to physically compensate for cue ball deflection)

What I'm wondering is why Reyes decided to switch to using an open bridge, at a time when he was in the middle of his prime and already winning a plethora of major tournaments using a closed bridge hand. Did the trend to use the open bridge hand come in the late 90s? Was it something with his eyesight that made using an open bridge a necessity? ... Is this really something worth creating a new thread?? :p
Click to expand...


Personally I had to an switch to open bridge as the MCP joint of my index finger was seriously getting in the way of me being able to use a closed bridge, not arthritis.

If you do it a lot for hours every day the closed bridge is actually quite unnatural for the fingers, especially the index, and you put a side force on the joints of your index finger.

Joints of the finger don't do good with any side force on them.
They're small and fragile compared to other joints of the body.

Today I only use closed bridge on power shots, mostly just break and draw.

Given all that I can easily see how someone at Efren's level would also be forced to switch and might not have a choice in the matter.
 
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Why would you "imitate" someone's style? When you get down on a shot, you have to do what's comfortable and natural for YOU.
 
Check out Earl's open bridge :eek: :yikes:

It sure has changed over the years lol


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2twoball said:
Why would you "imitate" someone's style? When you get down on a shot, you have to do what's comfortable and natural for YOU.
Click to expand...

Thats kinda the same question I had. Even if you choose to try to imitate someones style I would think your bridge would be the last thing you worry about. Every shot may require a different bridge depending on location of other balls, location of cue ball to rail, etc. There are also many physical difference between everyone's hands, many people can not duplicate bridges that others make. The most important thing about a bridge is that it is comfortable for you and that it is very stable.
 
Gunn_Slinger said:
Could be from arthritis in the joints. For some people, it makes it easier
to see the OB and/or the CB. A lot of 1 pocket players use an open
bridge most of the time. It seems to be better for 'touch' shots.
Next US Open or DCC, ask him. Hes good to talk to.
Good luck
Click to expand...

I forgot about his arthritis. There's a video by InsidePool Mag on what Efren Reyes carried around in his case. One of the items was a cream to relieve arthritis pain (I found the video - https://youtu.be/HkzOLqtcUjM?t=2m38s).

I hope he continues to play the big tournaments, like US Open and DCC.
 
Shots when he is letting out his stroke he goes to the closed bridge - force follow for example.
 
fastone371 said:
Thats kinda the same question I had. Even if you choose to try to imitate someones style I would think your bridge would be the last thing you worry about. Every shot may require a different bridge depending on location of other balls, location of cue ball to rail, etc. There are also many physical difference between everyone's hands, many people can not duplicate bridges that others make. The most important thing about a bridge is that it is comfortable for you and that it is very stable.
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I was being facetious, but I can see how I failed. :( I agree with you, 100%.

There are a few things about my bridge that I picked up from other players. The bridge I form on and behind the rail is definitely learned, but my on-the-felt bridge is almost the same as day one.

What I was trying to imply in my post was that it's difficult for new players to "imitate" Reyes' shooting style because of his awkward bridge hand. And I don't mean imitate in the literal sense. I pick up certain things by watching other players, as is natural for anyone learning about the game. Imitating the greats... seems like a good topic for another thread.
 
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I have noticed Bustamante using the open bridge more and have to believe this is partially due to playing more often on tighter pockets/more Diamond tables. I think they feel their accuracy is better, ala snooker players.
 
Most "old school" players started out with a closed bridge and many continue to use them. That is the bridge most players used back when I was first learning to play pool.

In my experience, I found it much easier to "control" the cue when having to hit the balls harder and "muscle" the cue ball around the table on the slower playing conditions at the time.

I still use a closed bridge on over 90% of my shots, but I use an open bridge on some shots where I have to stretch or balls are in my way, preventing me from using a closed bridge. I, also, use an open bridge sometimes on shots that I just want to cinch and have no need to move the cue ball around for position from.

My playing style requires me to hit the balls a bit "firmer" than most people today do. I feel much more confident hitting the balls "firm" when I have a "secure" grip on the bridge and I can ensure I am hitting the cue ball where I am aiming at. Hitting the balls "firm" while having the cue sliding over an open bridge hand makes room for more off-line deviations (IMHO).

To me, a closed bridge just seems more "secure and reliable" when it comes to controlling the cue ball.
 
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HawaiianEye said:
Most "old school" players started out with a closed bridge and many continue to use them. That is the bridge most players used back when I was first learning to play pool.

In my experience, I found it much easier to "control" the cue when having to hit the balls harder and "muscle" the cue ball around the table on the slower playing conditions at the time.

I still use a closed bridge on over 90% of my shots, but I use an open bridge on some shots where I have to stretch or balls are in my way, preventing me from using a closed bridge. I, also, use an open bridge sometimes on shots that I just want to cinch and have no need to move the cue ball around for position from.

My playing style requires me to hit the balls a bit "firmer" than most people today do. I feel much more confident hitting the balls "firm" when I have a "secure" grip on the bridge and I can ensure I am hitting the cue ball where I am aiming at. Hitting the balls "firm" while having the cue sliding over an open bridge hand makes room for more off-line deviations (IMHO).

To me, a closed bridge just seems more "secure and reliable" when it comes to controlling the cue ball.
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Snooker players use an open bridge on like 99% of all shots, and most of their shots are hit firm.

I think it just boils down to personal preference.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Snooker players use an open bridge on like 99% of all shots, and most of their shots are hit firm.

I think it just boils down to personal preference.
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Everything is personal preference in pool.

You, hopefully, do whatever works best for YOU.

Snooker players use short ash cues with 9mm soft tips.

Pool players may use 13mm shafts with super hard tips.

Some players use heavy cues and others prefer lighter cues.

Some people bend way over to shoot snooker-style, while other remain more upright.

Some people stroke the shot 10 times before they commit...others fire after a single stroke or two.

EVERY player at a HIGH level is doing WHATEVER they are doing because THEY THINK it is working BEST for THEM.

Otherwise, THEY WOULDN'T be doing it.
 
mrknight411 said:
I've noticed a difference in Efren Reyes' bridge hand as he progressed over the years (via YouTube vids). Early in his career, Reyes used a closed bridge on almost all of this shots. In his matches beginning in 2000, he had switched to using an open bridge on most of his shots. However, his open bridge seems forced.
Click to expand...

You have to remember that Efren was still learning how to play pool at that time.
 
terryhanna said:
Check out Earl's open bridge :eek: :yikes:

It sure has changed over the years lol


View attachment 470298
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It is astonishing that he can still play so well with all of these gimmicks (fingers, weights on arms/waist, etc). The finger stuff in particular- you'd think it would ruin your feel for shots. Also, it seems like he would have to shoot every shot with an open bridge.
 
BeiberLvr said:
Snooker players use an open bridge on like 99% of all shots, and most of their shots are hit firm.

I think it just boils down to personal preference.
Click to expand...

Absolutely!!! Some people who are not as serious about pool dont think its possible to break with an open bridge, I break with an open bridge frequently.
 
HUKIT said:
Looks like his hand after a wood chipper accident or table saw, Lol!
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:rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1::rotflmao1:

I dont even see how someone could even shoot pool with bridge hand that looked like that but Earl manages and quite well too!!!
 
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