Different Closed Bridges

Sensation

Sensation

right there
Silver Member
Hi folks!

Since I lately began using the closed bridge for some secific shots (most draw ones) I started giving more attention to the pros' closed bridges.

Most of the skilled players I know use the loop closed bridge. --> Index makes a loop around the shaft to join the thumb.

Almost all of top 16 in the world use the index above major (thumb is almost useless). The index fingertip gets to land on the major. Watch Reyes or Bustamente... Pagulayan, Feijen, Immonen, etc.

Is there a reason why? I guess so! Well.... what is it? :confused:
 
its funny you posted this today i tried it out tonight while i was warming up for a tournament. it felt a little awkward so i reverted to the normal closed bridge. as for why, i couldnt tell you because i saw no advantage, it may just be the way they learned.
 
You're referring to the "cross-over bridge", and yes, you'll see this with a lot of the filipino players. They tend to have long slender fingers with flexible joints so the traditional closed loop creates too large a gap for the cue shaft. Because of this there's a lot of slop in the traditional bridge. To combat this they place their index finger over their middle finger which helps tightens up the loop, creating a more stable bridge. Efren's crossover is a little of both bridge types since he technically doesn't cross over. It's more of a half and half bridge. Alex Pagulayan has a true cross over bridge as his index finger completely crosses his middle finger.

Personally, I have short thick fingers, so the traditional loop bridge gets a good fit with my cue. If I used the cross over bridge I would end up with arthritis in a month. I tried to use it and ended up with stiff joints for a couple weeks.

If you have long slender fingers and find the shaft has a lot of slop or your bridge seems unstable, it's a great bridge to try out. Don't switch to it because someone you admire uses it though, make sure it's for all the right reasons.:)

Check out this older thread http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?t=16212
 
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Sensation said:
Hi folks!

Since I lately began using the closed bridge for some secific shots (most draw ones) I started giving more attention to the pros' closed bridges.

Most of the skilled players I know use the loop closed bridge. --> Index makes a loop around the shaft to join the thumb.

Almost all of top 16 in the world use the index above major (thumb is almost useless). The index fingertip gets to land on the major. Watch Reyes or Bustamente... Pagulayan, Feijen, Immonen, etc.

Is there a reason why? I guess so! Well.... what is it? :confused:
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Because it's the most secure of all the closed bridges since the index is pressing on the middle. And in fact the thumb still provides a supporting base. Also there's the knuckle strain, some people can get used to it, some cannot.
 
I saw the weirdest lclosed bridge the other day. A player had his hand in position like he was shooting a jacked-up shot with an open bridge. Except his thumb was touching the table and his pointer finger was curled up and the cue went through the space created by his pointer finger.
 
I would like to use the filipino bridge but my finger just doesnt bend over that much, lol, Im sure it would break! Or maybe the shafts a little thick? Its a predator 314
 
laser2507 said:
I would like to use the filipino bridge but my finger just doesnt bend over that much, lol, Im sure it would break! Or maybe the shafts a little thick? Its a predator 314
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If you're really determined, you can try go against nature but it'll take quite a while for your fingers to get accustomed to it because you're not only squeezing your knuckles but at the same time stretching your middle finger. It took me almost two months to oil my screws. At the end of the day, if your fingers are too stiff, don't force yourself. You can try the other loop bridges.
 
mszelis said:
I saw the weirdest lclosed bridge the other day. A player had his hand in position like he was shooting a jacked-up shot with an open bridge. Except his thumb was touching the table and his pointer finger was curled up and the cue went through the space created by his pointer finger.
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that might be the "upside down" bridge. it was fairly popular among three cushion players many years ago. It functions pretty well once you get used to it. On the other hand, maybe I just don't understand your description.
 
laser2507 said:
I would like to use the filipino bridge but my finger just doesnt bend over that much, lol, Im sure it would break! Or maybe the shafts a little thick? Its a predator 314
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LOL!

when i first learned about this bridge i thought it looked cool and i wanted to do it.. but my fingers would not go around the stick lol! ( i have short fingers )

so i keep trying even tho it hurt my had afterwards and after a few weeks it didnt hurt as much. even when i got accustomed to it there was no way i could use this bridge to break. now i dont know how but i can make that same bridge to breakwith with no problem.

my friend told me that it would stretch my fingers out and i laughed. I guess he was right.:D
 
I have tried to use this bridge since my fingers are long and somewhat slender. However my problem is the skin between my index and thumb (actually, at the base of my index finger) pulls on the shaft if my hands get slightly damp. Anyone here that uses this bridge have similar problems?
 
mszelis said:
I saw the weirdest lclosed bridge the other day. A player had his hand in position like he was shooting a jacked-up shot with an open bridge. Except his thumb was touching the table and his pointer finger was curled up and the cue went through the space created by his pointer finger.
Click to expand...

Does the guy have awfully long fingers?
 
Maybe over time I will adapt, I will keep trying, but seriously, cant seem to even get close yet...

Could try a Predator Z but it looks like a snooker cue compared to the size of the ball, lol
 
twilight said:
I have tried to use this bridge since my fingers are long and somewhat slender. However my problem is the skin between my index and thumb (actually, at the base of my index finger) pulls on the shaft if my hands get slightly damp. Anyone here that uses this bridge have similar problems?
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I should think that's not a prolonged situation. Unless you have constant sweaty hands, or you're playing under warm and humid temperature. If you're playing under well air conditioned environment, your hands should dry up very quickly. At worse, use a glove or some powder. Or maybe practise regular wiping habit.
 
laser2507 said:
Maybe over time I will adapt, I will keep trying, but seriously, cant seem to even get close yet...
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I practised it under the table during meals, in a train, in my car etc. Even in the bathroom.

laser2507 said:
Could try a Predator Z but it looks like a snooker cue compared to the size of the ball, lol
Click to expand...
I've tried snooker cues on pool balls. If you can handle the Z shaft, you should not worry about looks.
 
twilight said:
I have tried to use this bridge since my fingers are long and somewhat slender. However my problem is the skin between my index and thumb (actually, at the base of my index finger) pulls on the shaft if my hands get slightly damp. Anyone here that uses this bridge have similar problems?
Click to expand...

Buy some alcohol-based hand sanitizer, such as Purrell. A 1-oz. bottle fits into a cue case neatly; mine cost $0.89 at Wal Mart. A drop or two will make your whole hand silky smooth.
 
Dhakala said:
There's a closeup slo-mo of Efren's closed bridge here, around the 30-second mark.

Frankly, I don't see how he makes it.
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If you watch closely at many or most top players their cue tip nearly comes out of their bridge on the back swing. If you stop the video on the closeup it appears that with Efrens style bridge there's a longer "lead in" than with a traditional forefinger on thumb style. If this is true your're less likely to actually pull the cue out of your hand and make an air shot.

Other than that I just think it's a learned learned style that some copy.

I use what's been called a Hoppe bridge (middle finger curled under) when I need the CB to take straight lines. I don't know why it works but it does, at least for me. Many of the top 3 Cushion players use a "Stacked Bridge" http://www.caudron.info/english/index.php This isn't the best example but you'll get the idea.

The hard to explain and unimaginable is what makes this game so cool. Oh and by the way. Those that have tried the Efren bridge and are having trouble. Don't you remember how long it took to get used to a standard closed bridge. Bet it was longer than 10 minutes or and hour.
 
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3kushn said:
If you watch closely at many or most top players their cue tip nearly comes out of their bridge on the back swing.
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I did that a couple of times last night. Very unusual for me, and the results very embarassing. :o [/quote]

I use what's been called a Hoppe bridge (middle finger curled under) when I need the CB to take straight lines. I don't know why it works but it does, at least for me.
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So I reckon you use this bridge all of the time, except on masse' and jump shots?

The broader base of the curled middle finger would make a more stable bridge.

The hard to explain is what makes this game so cool.
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Yes, Zen Cueism is all about the ineffable. :cool:
 
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