Open Bridge
- Thread starter MaryD
- Start date
The open bridge is the first bridge that I teach with beginners. First off its the eaisiest to learn, it gives an uninterrupted line of sight for the shot, and its the quickest one that I can pick out stroke flaws with. I also have my advanced players shoot for me with an open bridge because of the ease in picking out flaws again.
I think the open bridge also gives better feedback on mistakes than a closed bridge. In a closed bridge you can manipulate the cue to cover some faults that would be readily seen with an open bridge. Furthermore most peoples closed bridges have enough gaps in them that cue stability is really not there.
Hope this answers some of your question.
I think the open bridge also gives better feedback on mistakes than a closed bridge. In a closed bridge you can manipulate the cue to cover some faults that would be readily seen with an open bridge. Furthermore most peoples closed bridges have enough gaps in them that cue stability is really not there.
Hope this answers some of your question.
open bridge
Secondly because of having small hands when trying to use a closed bridge on todays ever popular 13mm shafts it is just not comfortable for me.
I use an open bridge for at least 90% of all my shots. I believe that I developed this because when I first started to play pool that is how I learned.MaryD said:
Secondly because of having small hands when trying to use a closed bridge on todays ever popular 13mm shafts it is just not comfortable for me.
The only time where an closed bridge is really advantageous is when you are using side spin. In this case, the closed bridge helps prevent you from miscueing because the cue will naturally deflect away from the cue ball. However, even then a closed bridge isn't really necessary if you have good stroke mechanics.
Personally, I shoot 100% open bridge. Even on the break and even on the rail.
The open bridge is more stable and gives you better sight.
Personally, I shoot 100% open bridge. Even on the break and even on the rail.
The open bridge is more stable and gives you better sight.
MaryD said:
Well an open bridge keeps the shaft from moving left/right, but a closed bridge also keeps the shaft from moving up/down.
I use both open and closed bridges depending on the shot. Basically extreme draw or follow or fast shots which are not a center ball hit, then closed bridge (for me). And sometimes cue ball frozen to cushion shots if I can comfortably contort my fingers to a closed bridge.
For a force follow shot like the following, I don't think I could do this with an open bridge. I would think that the cue would fly off the top of the cue ball. It is a fast shot.
http://endeavor.med.nyu.edu/~wei/pool/
START(
%AD1D2%IC9Z8%Pg8F8%WE5E0%Xf8F8%eA9`4%_D7Y0%`G0O5%aC2E6
)END
Also for a medium speed "hook shot" as follows (lots of follow through), I can't imagine doing this with an open bridge....
START(
%AZ2Z7%PL7O8%WY0Z0%XM1P5%eB4`3%_o1Y5%`[1Y4%aX8[6
)END
B
Bruce S. de Lis
Guest
MaryD said:
Open Verses Closed Bridge is like ask what TIP is BEST.
I most use a CLOSED Bridge most of the time, but do use an Open Bridge 15% of the time + or - .
Use the Bridge that Works for You, be it Closed or Open.
Allison Fisher Shoots with an Open Bridges, and she is a GREAT PLAYER....He Cue is a CueTec NUFF SAID.....
Bruce S. de Lis said:Open Verses Closed Bridge is like ask what TIP is BEST.
I most use a CLOSED Bridge most of the time, but do use an Open Bridge 15% of the time + or - .
Use the Bridge that Works for You, be it Closed or Open.
Allison Fisher Shoots with an Open Bridges, and she is a GREAT PLAYER....He Cue is a CueTec NUFF SAID.....
I know what works best is different for each player - insight into another's thought process simply helps me clarify my own. If my priorities and game are similar to someone else's, I might want to try an approach that works for them. If they're dissimilar, I may want to go the other way. For example, the people urging me toward the closed bridge generally play with a lot of spin. At this point, I use spin very selectively. If I don't play the way they do, then why bridge the way they do?
I noticed that about Allison Fisher, and a few other pro women. It got me thinking. I was just wondering what the general consensus was in regard to the pros and cons of open vs closed bridges - that gives me a foundation for my own choice.
M
Mary,
Most pros and instructors will tell you to stick with the closed bridge.
Some people swear by the open bridge.
My experience for what it's worth is to use "any kind of bridge that is stable and works for the shot you want to make". As someone earlier in this thread mentioned the size and length of your fingers combined with your shaft diameter could make a closed bridge difficult. I can see how arthritis could also make a closed bridge difficult. Use whatever helps you to pocket balls cause in the end that's all that counts.
Terry
Most pros and instructors will tell you to stick with the closed bridge.
Some people swear by the open bridge.
My experience for what it's worth is to use "any kind of bridge that is stable and works for the shot you want to make". As someone earlier in this thread mentioned the size and length of your fingers combined with your shaft diameter could make a closed bridge difficult. I can see how arthritis could also make a closed bridge difficult. Use whatever helps you to pocket balls cause in the end that's all that counts.
Terry
Tbeaux said:
Well put and very true. From my experience, I started with a closed bridge, then switched to an open bridge after I took a lesson. I broke my left wrist a long time ago (before I played pool) and my closed bridge was never steady. I could never have the left part of the palm firmly planted on the table without being in pain. My open bridge is very steady and my game has improved dramatically in the last 6 months. I still use the closed bridge, but only if I need a lot of draw.
MaryD said:
This is a neat thing we have called the "Wei pool table". It lets us draw pictures of shots which we are talking about.
With your mouse, highlight the first shot mentioned from START to END, then right click and copy. Then click on the link given. When the pool table shows up, click on the paste button below the pool table. Then the shot appears.
Then go back to the post and copy/paste to see the second shot.
If you have trouble, let us know what trouble you are having and we will be happy help you.
Billy_Bob said:
Ok, that's very cool!
I agree with you on these - I've actually attempted both. I've made the first one, but had no success with the second. I wouldn't try those with an open bridge either - and I don't think at this stage I'd be trying them often at all.
Actually, though, last night in my match I had a shot something like this...
START(
%ED0V6%Fc8J6%G]9O5%Hf7Z4%ID4K6%Pm0X9
)END
...and I did attempt to shoot it in such a way as to carom to the 9. I didn't remember that shot until I saw yours. It was worth a shot, but I've got lots to work on before spending a whole heck of a lot of time on that in particular. (I hit the rail just shy of the 9, with not enough spin to hug, so no dice.)
Thanks for the thoughts, and the help with wei...
M
MaryD,
I am an advocate of the closed bridge (I grew up watching Crane and Mizerak). When I first started lessons and competition with a top professional, I was given the advice to at least use the open bridge on shots where the cue ball is frozen to the rail (shooting away from the rail); and also to use the open bridge on extreme cut shots, where the open bridge offers superior sighting of both stick and object ball. I've converted to this regimen, and am certainly convinced of its merit.
I personally favor the closed bridge for shots with extreme draw/follow/sidespin as many have noted above.
I am an advocate of the closed bridge (I grew up watching Crane and Mizerak). When I first started lessons and competition with a top professional, I was given the advice to at least use the open bridge on shots where the cue ball is frozen to the rail (shooting away from the rail); and also to use the open bridge on extreme cut shots, where the open bridge offers superior sighting of both stick and object ball. I've converted to this regimen, and am certainly convinced of its merit.
I personally favor the closed bridge for shots with extreme draw/follow/sidespin as many have noted above.
Use what's comfortable, learn them both...
Mary D,
When I learned the game I was young, and couldn't master the closed bridge, so my Dad taught me to use an open bridge. I've used an open bridge ever since. It kind of depends on how well you can contort you hands...where you gonna plant that index finger? If you cannot plant it firmly and comfortably, use and open bridge and work to make it solid, open bridges require better mechanics all through the stroke, closed bridges help at the bridge to mediate some of the mechanical issues you may have in your alignment and what your right arm is doing. I find that a closed bridge is most helpful in situations where I have to really move the rock, (which means I got out of shape in the first place), so I really do not use it often, but just as all things as we try to master this game we love, it should be in your arsenal.
my 2c-
ps love to see Ladies in The Room, Shootin'
Mary D,
When I learned the game I was young, and couldn't master the closed bridge, so my Dad taught me to use an open bridge. I've used an open bridge ever since. It kind of depends on how well you can contort you hands...where you gonna plant that index finger? If you cannot plant it firmly and comfortably, use and open bridge and work to make it solid, open bridges require better mechanics all through the stroke, closed bridges help at the bridge to mediate some of the mechanical issues you may have in your alignment and what your right arm is doing. I find that a closed bridge is most helpful in situations where I have to really move the rock, (which means I got out of shape in the first place), so I really do not use it often, but just as all things as we try to master this game we love, it should be in your arsenal.
my 2c-
ps love to see Ladies in The Room, Shootin'
MaryD said:
With the second shot, "hook shot into the side pocket", It is actually a slight cut to the left and there is a very narrow margin of cue ball placement to make the object ball into the side and get the cue ball to go down table. I have the balls placed correctly on my wei table diagram. Also the object ball needs to be exactly as shown and very close to the cushion - half ball lined up with tit of cushion.
Then shoot it with very high center, medium stroke (too fast and it will not work!), then follow through until there is no tomorrow! Follow through with your stroke until the tip of your cue goes past the side of the table and pokes the wall! (Just kidding of course, but the idea is lots of follow through.)
And a slower stroke works better with this shot than a faster stroke.
Comfortable...
You should do whatever is the most comfortable for you...
You should do whatever is the most comfortable for you...
Mary,
Watch the pros and you'll see many of them use both bridges throughout a game and match. As stated already, when you need that extra draw or english, a closed bridge is usually preferrable, although some players like Efren and Allison can get all the stroke they need with an open bridge too.
Watch the pros and you'll see many of them use both bridges throughout a game and match. As stated already, when you need that extra draw or english, a closed bridge is usually preferrable, although some players like Efren and Allison can get all the stroke they need with an open bridge too.
whitewolf said:There is a guy in our APA league that uses a MODIFIED OPEN BRIDGE
You know Jeff?
I know a guy that shoots like that... but he's actually good. I'm amazed that he's made it to SL5 using that bridge. It just goes to show that you should use what wroks for you.
MaryD said:
I use the open bridge for any shot where there is less than 3.5 feet between object & cueball, unless there is a ball/rail getting in my way.
When I need extreme draw or follow, the open bridge is far too risky so I revert to a closed bridge.
If I need to stroke a shot very, very hard, I'll always use the closed bridge. On longer shots I always use a closed bridge because it offers less slop and therefore provides me more accuracy. The closed bridge has a way of ironing out any ruffles that can arise from using a forceful stroke.
On very, very delicate shots I like to move my bridge hand much closer to the cue ball. The closed bridge obscures the view of my tip at the cue ball, so open bridge is the only option in these scenarios.
Also, if I am stretching far for a shot, I always use an open bridge because again, closed bridge will obscure my vision/aim line of the cue.
I always break using the rail bridge as it's the most secure and offers no deflection when adding sidespin to the break.
For Masse/Jump shots I use the closed bridge as it holds the cue in place during elevation.
I always look for the best, most sound bridge for each individual shot, and this fluctuates dramatically. There is no holy bible of "Bridge etiquette", you do what suits the shot period.
I switch between 8 types of bridges during any given game, but I always prefer the open. Why?. Because it means I rolled the cueball within a comfortable distance from the object ball.....and that's always a great thing.
Also, what's more comfortable than the open bridge?. Since most people learn this as their very first bridging technique, it is usually the most natural.
I started incorporating the closed bridge into my game after about 10 years of playing.
A person can do just fine without ever using the closed bridge, but they must first learn the limitations of the open bridge and always play within them.
MaryD said:
When you feel that you are consistenly seeing the aiming line using an open bridge, try experimenting using the closed bridge. Generally a closed bridge requires a slightly longer bridging distance, (from finger loop to cueball), if you have weak stroke mechanics, you will miscue more frequently.
If you mostly use vertical axis spin, (top, center & bottom), the open bridge should be just fine for your game. It's only when a player starts incorporating extreme sidespin and powershots into their game that the closed bridge may be required.
Since 85% of billiard shots can, (and should), be played using only vertical axis spin, stay with the open bridge the entire time you are learning your fundamentals.
Wherever the game leads, you will benefit from staying with the open bridge as long as possible. As a previous poster stated, the open bridge points out the flaws better than a closed bridge.
Hope this helps.
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