Open Bridge vs. Closed Bridge

[Ron F]

I played some practice games over the summer with a guy on the "living 200+ ball runners" list and the topic of open and closed bridges came up. Actually, after a game in which he had a few decent runs in the 30's he asked me to watch his stroke during the next game to see if I picked up on what he was doing differently. In that game, his runs were longer (one in the 80's) and his position on difficult to get on balls was more precise. The difference, was that he was using an open bridge almost exclusively. I think, for me at least, an open bridge improves pocketing ability since you have an uninterrupted look down the shaft to the CB and through the CB to the OB. I also tend to shoot with better speed control on softer to medium speed shots with an open bridge which offers more precise positioning (for shots where a half inch or 1 inch means a lot).

Ron F

 

[stevekur1]

i have found myself unconsciously doing this as well. i dont fall comfortable doing it on all shots such as strokeshots and power break shots. but when i get into touchy areas and when i am totally focussed it just happens. i need to play around more with it.

-Steve

 

[Ratta]

Hi there,

this usualy is the same feeling for everyone- with an open bridge it seems easier for many players to *aim* easier- but if it comes to put much more cueball-action it s mostly the closed bridge what should be choosen (and also will be by most of the players).
If you have a superb technique and your fundamentals are great, you can do a great job with in an open bridge also on balls where the cb needs some more action-but here it is a *must have* that you really have strong mechanicals so that you won t come up for example while finishing your stroke. That s the most made error from my experience-and also very nice to show the guys themselves on video ^^ when they re stroking a hard and long drawshot with an open-bridge (or even follow through) many of them *like* to come up with their body/head/bridgehand before finishing the stroke (so no freeze!).

All in all everyone should use what is comfortable for him. But on harder shots over a long distance with extreme action i recommend the closed bridge (helps a bit to stay down for the most)

lg
Ingo, also using open and closed-just how it comes around

 

[Descente36]

Open bridge offers a kind of "elevated stableness". It's just the right height to hit the center of the cueball, and it just feels better to beginners. Looking down the shaft using open bridge also let's you notice any slight descrepancies in yourstroke