Do you use an open or closed bridge? Mix of both?
- Thread starter SamLambert
- Start date
Why do you keep insisting they are so different? They both require the exact same set of skills, both physically and mentally!..Methinks you are just grasping at straws, to try and prove your point!..Ain't gonna work. :sorry:..BTW, in your analogy, which game is 'putt-putt' and which is real golf?
PS..I may be careless with my math, (unless there is money involved)..but I knows m'pool !
I'll spot you the "one" ball in snooker since you know snooker so well.
I'm trying not to Shanghai the thread, but you are making it difficult. Ask the people in the snooker section.
No need for insults.. Please forgive me for mis-counting the numbered balls in snooker..(alzheimer memory lapse)..However, I would be willing to wager large $$$, that I have played more games of snooker 'accidentally', than you have on purpose!
Good night all.
Last edited:
If I recall correctly, a young, vibrant world champion snooker player by the name of Steve Davis wasn't able to beat a middle aged, fat Mizerak when they went head to head. And then a year or two later, The Miz similarly dispatched a kid by the name of Jimmy White.
Ronnie O has also tried his hand at our "easy" game. He's now world champion in 14.1, 9 ball, 8 ball, 10 ball and one pocket!
Yeah, so actually he didn't do so well. And incidentally, neither did Mizerak when he tried his hand at snooker.
Just looking at the size of the pocket is such a simplistic and childish way of comparing two sports that are COMPLETELY different. If snooker players were really some higher breed of player, you would see run outs all the time, and you'd also see a lot more perfect games. I mean, it's only a stinking 36 balls. Even *I* can occasionally run 36 balls on a pool table.
It does require more precision to get snooker balls in the hole, but the result isn't superhuman skill. The result is that far fewer snooker balls end up in the hole.
edit:
Almost forgot. I don't think your bridge matters one hooey as long as you put the cue where it needs to go. It's like traditional vs match grip drumming. Which is best? It's a dumb question. Learn both, and when you're proficient enough that you can appreciate the subtle differences each can offer, you're also proficient enough that you don't need anyone to tell you which one to use and when.
Snooker players most likely evolved using an open bridge because:
a) snooker balls/cues are smaller and the closed bridge obstructs your view even more than with American pool
b) open bridges tend to be more comfortable with conical taper shafts
I doubt it had anything at all to do with accuracy other than you can't be accurate if you can't see the ball and the cue. I don't think it's coincidence that the slow migration to an open bridge in the pool world is happening at the same time as increasing popularity of 11.75mm, conical shafts.
Ronnie O has also tried his hand at our "easy" game. He's now world champion in 14.1, 9 ball, 8 ball, 10 ball and one pocket!
Yeah, so actually he didn't do so well. And incidentally, neither did Mizerak when he tried his hand at snooker.
Just looking at the size of the pocket is such a simplistic and childish way of comparing two sports that are COMPLETELY different. If snooker players were really some higher breed of player, you would see run outs all the time, and you'd also see a lot more perfect games. I mean, it's only a stinking 36 balls. Even *I* can occasionally run 36 balls on a pool table.
It does require more precision to get snooker balls in the hole, but the result isn't superhuman skill. The result is that far fewer snooker balls end up in the hole.
edit:
Almost forgot. I don't think your bridge matters one hooey as long as you put the cue where it needs to go. It's like traditional vs match grip drumming. Which is best? It's a dumb question. Learn both, and when you're proficient enough that you can appreciate the subtle differences each can offer, you're also proficient enough that you don't need anyone to tell you which one to use and when.
Snooker players most likely evolved using an open bridge because:
a) snooker balls/cues are smaller and the closed bridge obstructs your view even more than with American pool
b) open bridges tend to be more comfortable with conical taper shafts
I doubt it had anything at all to do with accuracy other than you can't be accurate if you can't see the ball and the cue. I don't think it's coincidence that the slow migration to an open bridge in the pool world is happening at the same time as increasing popularity of 11.75mm, conical shafts.
Last edited:
I use both about the same I guess. Never really think about it
What to do.....
I'm getting PM's from a bunch of people who are complaining that they are younger guys but their heads are swelling at alarming rates.
I suppose those younger guys can just click here.
JoeyA
I'm getting PM's from a bunch of people who are complaining that they are younger guys but their heads are swelling at alarming rates.
I suppose those younger guys can just click here.
JoeyA
My default would be an open bridge, I use open bridges as much as I can comfortably. I like being able to see the entire length of the shaft. I also frequently break with an open bridge. According to my results with my BreakRak there is very little if any difference when I break using either bridge.
i'll use an open bridge 95+% of the time.
closed bridge when
- breaking. i make a fist and use the side of the hand and the curled pinky finger as a base
- opposite handed.
- shooting parallel to a rail, CB positioned close to the rail, and i want to hit stop or draw. i'll use the cushion as a base and hang my bridging finger under the nose of the cushion
- shooting away from rail, bridged on rail, and wanting to hit to stop or draw.
closed bridge when
- breaking. i make a fist and use the side of the hand and the curled pinky finger as a base
- opposite handed.
- shooting parallel to a rail, CB positioned close to the rail, and i want to hit stop or draw. i'll use the cushion as a base and hang my bridging finger under the nose of the cushion
- shooting away from rail, bridged on rail, and wanting to hit to stop or draw.
There was a Chinese player playing in the US Open 10 ball a few years back. He always used an open bridge and had a spectacular break. In fact, I recall he broke and ran 5 or 6 racks in one set.
chin height
I've tried incorporating a closed bridge into my game... better players said it was worth a ball or two to them. But I eventually stopped trying.
I play with my chin on the cue and use bridge length, bridge height and cue angle to customize each shot so the weight of the cue is always stable through the stroke. It's a clean transfer of energy to the cb. When I closed up the bridge my bridge hand became limited on height adjusts and I lose sight of the tip as I'm massaging the shot into place.... I couldn't "feel" the shot anymore.
I've tried incorporating a closed bridge into my game... better players said it was worth a ball or two to them. But I eventually stopped trying.
I play with my chin on the cue and use bridge length, bridge height and cue angle to customize each shot so the weight of the cue is always stable through the stroke. It's a clean transfer of energy to the cb. When I closed up the bridge my bridge hand became limited on height adjusts and I lose sight of the tip as I'm massaging the shot into place.... I couldn't "feel" the shot anymore.
There is no right way or wrong way. The results determine whether it was right or not.
I've ran the table playing 8-ball and 9-ball on occasion using no bridge. I shot with the cue on the rail for most of the shots and shot one-handed when the ball was too far to use the rail
Use what works for you.
I've ran the table playing 8-ball and 9-ball on occasion using no bridge. I shot with the cue on the rail for most of the shots and shot one-handed when the ball was too far to use the rail
Use what works for you.
-----------:thumbup2:---------------
Wrong.... Here's one of Many examples....If you cue ball is frozen to the rail, and you need to make a force follow shot to come two or three rails around table, you BETTER close it up to eliminate a miscue. Also, if frozen on the rail and rolling whitey at slower speeds it's ALLOT easier to see what your doing/cueing w/o your Knuckle blocking your view.
Bill...the "eye man" is wrong quite often!..However getting him to admit it, is a real chore!..He'll change the subject, or add a new one!..He's very good at confusing us old codger's!..He may be paranoid about being proven (gasp) wrong..
Last edited:
I seldom use a closed bridge on frozen rail shots even when using force follow and I dont suffer these miscues.
I started breaking with an open bridge recently and have dramatically improved my accuracy and power.
That's fine but to ELIMINATE any chance of a miscue, close it up when ya crank it up. Shoot ten force follow shots on a nine footer and tell me if you able to come around 3 rails ( 12-15 feet)....watch an old Kim Davenport match, he did this shot better than any of his peers in his prime. Remember, the elbow will drop and the tip will rise up when you crank it up, closed bridge traps the shaft and won't allot it to MISCUE during the elbow drop.
I agree and that is why I use a closed bridge.
