Forming an Open Bridge

S

slach

AzB Silver Member
Silver Member
Most everything I've seen or read has the cue riding between the thumb and index finger when using an open bridge. However, I like the cue riding between the index and middle finger of my bridge hand. I control the height by curling my fingers under (such as with the palm flat, on finger tips, on first knuckles, or somewhere in between). Any comments/pros/cons about the bridge I use?
Thanks - Steve
 
lol, I usta use that exact same knuckle bridge for many years when I only played on bar boxes mainly because my hands sweat terribly and the tops of my knuckles was the only place I could get consistant friction... and like Neil said, it did get me some money games... Some guy came into the bar I usta frequent and saw me playing and said "there is no way in hell somebody that bridges like that could beat me".... after about 100 bucks and who knows how many jaegers he had to buy for me & my friends... he changed his mind.
 
Last edited:
Although there are player that use this bridge, they are in the minority, and the bridge lacks stability compared to the thumb/index finger open bridge. It is worth the effort to make the switch. In addition to being stable, your bridge must allow you to accurately pin-point a single spot on the cueball. This is done naturally by varying depth and position of the "V" formed by the thumb and index.

The chief goal of the open bridge is stability. I once watched Marty Herman teach a beginner to form a bridge, and it helped my own. He had the person place their bridge hand down in the shape of a fist, palm down, with their thumb sticking out in the "V" position where the cuestick goes. Then he had them spread their fingers one by one. In doing this, he forced the person to put their weight on the meat of their palm and thus make a stable bridge. An unstable bridge places too much weight on the fingers or unevenly distributes the weight, making it unstable. Making a fist first ensures the weight is going on the palm of the hand.
 
slach said:
Most everything I've seen or read has the cue riding between the thumb and index finger when using an open bridge. However, I like the cue riding between the index and middle finger of my bridge hand. I control the height by curling my fingers under (such as with the palm flat, on finger tips, on first knuckles, or somewhere in between). Any comments/pros/cons about the bridge I use?
Thanks - Steve
Click to expand...

There are very few absolutes when it comes to pool, but the V bridge and closed bridge are one of them.

The biggest problem with this, as someone else has mentioned is stability. With a V bridge you plant your palm on the table and your other four fingers provides support. By putting the cue between your index and middle fingers you are only using only your pinkie and ring finger to support the bridge. Every single person I have seen use your method have a very wobbly hand while shooting.
 
the bridge I use works for both snooker and pool....since I play more snooker than pool.


anyways.... Lay your hand flat on the table...spread fingers...raise index finger...everything else can lay flush against the table. Boom, the cue lays there on top of the area between the index and middle finger. It is NOT wobbly...because I put some slight side pressure on the cue forcing it snug against my index finger.

I do not feel comfortable with the traditional closed bridge as it is completely useless in snooker.


as for getting me more money games... well, bad for them.
 
Last edited:
Neil said:
No offense, but that bridge should get you a lot of money games. :wink:
Click to expand...

ONE OF THE BEST BAR HUSTLERS I'VE EVER KNOWN, USED THIS BRIDGE TO GET ALOT OF GAMES.....WHICH HE WON. I ALWAYS ENJOYED THE GUYS THINKING THEY COULD BEAT HIM BECAUSE HE USED THIS BRIDGE.......IT WAS EVEN BETTER TO HEAR THEM WHINE AFTER HE EMPTIED THEIR POCKETS.

P.S. I AGREE THAT THIS A HORRIBLE BRIDGE TO USE, BUT IT WORKS FOR SOME PEOPLE.
 
Cameron Smith said:
There are very few absolutes when it comes to pool, but the V bridge and closed bridge are one of them.

The biggest problem with this, as someone else has mentioned is stability. With a V bridge you plant your palm on the table and your other four fingers provides support. By putting the cue between your index and middle fingers you are only using only your pinkie and ring finger to support the bridge. Every single person I have seen use your method have a very wobbly hand while shooting.
Click to expand...

Actually your index and middle finger are also supporting the bridge knuckles. You curl those two fingers under and press them into the cloth. Plus you have your thumb pressing down for even more stability. I think it's more stable than the traditional open bridge were your thumb's up off the cloth.
Steve
 
slach said:
Actually your index and middle finger are also supporting the bridge knuckles. You curl those two fingers under and press them into the cloth. Plus you have your thumb pressing down for even more stability. I think it's more stable than the traditional open bridge were your thumb's up off the cloth.
Steve
Click to expand...

Are the tips of all your fingers touching the table?

Even if your bridge is stable, I'm sure you are throwing off your alignement.

My advice is to try the closed bridge and the V bridge. You won't know until you try it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top