When i first started playing i was told u have to have a tight, closed bridge. So thats what i became comfortable with. I quit playing for several years and when i came back just couldnt get comfortable with my bridge. I began to shoot more shots with an open bridge and my game has come back much quicker and stronger. What is ur opinion on the open or closed bridge?
open bridge
- Thread starter billy's boy
- Start date
If you're not quite comfortable with your closed bridge, then the open bridge is definitely the way to go. Mechanically with your hand, it's easier to make. And since you're coming back to the game, having an open bridge could be beneficial to your development. I believe some people refer to a closed bridge as a "band-aid for a bad stroke," and I agree to some extent. It's easier to notice if your stroke's moving out of plane with an open bridge, and it helps with learning how to finish each shot with your tip touching the cloth. Although, if you want to play without a whole lot of frustration while you're still picking things up again, the closed bridge is great for your draw or hard force-follow shots.
thanks for advice
Thanks for the advice. Its been a bit frustrating coming back and not being as consistent as id like but things are picking up and im much more comfortable with open bridge. Just wanted some opinions.
Thanks for the advice. Its been a bit frustrating coming back and not being as consistent as id like but things are picking up and im much more comfortable with open bridge. Just wanted some opinions.
I admire most snooker players for their strong fundamentals and strong shot making abilities. Watch some of the best snooker players in the world on youtube and tell me if they are using an open or closed bridge?
if you have any doubts about a open bridge just watch some snooker players, thats all the they use. I think a closed bridge gives you better control, especially with shots you have to shoot harder then normal. I have been playing 90 percent of the time with a closed bridge and I started playing snooker where you need to use a open bridge.....well lets just say it was humbling. I was not anywhere as accurate as I am on a pool table. I think you should use a open bridge primarily and a closed bridge on shots you need to shoot harder then normal. that way you know where your stroke is......
Interesting this got posted. I played with an open bridge for some years and never got much improvement.
Recently a friend watching from the sides told me that my stroke sucks and when playing shots that require more english, I tend to miss the pockets by miles. On the last moment of releasing the cue, the wrist action and the open bridge will veer the cue to the right side.
Anyhow, on his advice, I changed to a closed bridge and viola~!!! I begin start potting better now. And whats more interesting is that after a while, I begin to pot better with an open bridge too, probably brought on by the awareness of the bad stroke previously.
So right now, I always try to use closed bridges during the first few games to help my muscle memory remember the correct stroking posture, and then gradually change to open bridge if I feel more comfortable with it. If I am starting to miss simple shots again, I will revert back to closed bridge to correct this.
I also watch a number of youtube videos to observe when does the pros use close or open bridges and the ratio i gather comes close to 80/20 ( closed/open )
my 2 cents
Recently a friend watching from the sides told me that my stroke sucks and when playing shots that require more english, I tend to miss the pockets by miles. On the last moment of releasing the cue, the wrist action and the open bridge will veer the cue to the right side.
Anyhow, on his advice, I changed to a closed bridge and viola~!!! I begin start potting better now. And whats more interesting is that after a while, I begin to pot better with an open bridge too, probably brought on by the awareness of the bad stroke previously.
So right now, I always try to use closed bridges during the first few games to help my muscle memory remember the correct stroking posture, and then gradually change to open bridge if I feel more comfortable with it. If I am starting to miss simple shots again, I will revert back to closed bridge to correct this.
I also watch a number of youtube videos to observe when does the pros use close or open bridges and the ratio i gather comes close to 80/20 ( closed/open )
my 2 cents
Way back in the day when i was a wee lad I used to use a closed bridge. Now though i'm not sure what happened but over time I started using the open bridge. I on occasion as of late for some shots i use a closed bridge, but it feels akward some how almost like my fingers are too short and don't quite bend right. I guess its one of those use what ever one feels right and gets the job done.
I was taught to use a tight bridge, loose grip, too, but then...
I took a lesson from Earl and he showed us his bridges and talked about how the cue shouldn't be moving the skin on the bridge hand, that is, the bridge should steady, but not slow the stroke. Funny coincidence is that the guy who taught me to use a tight bridge was in the class with me and he, too, is now moving away from the tight bridge. Live and learn, I guess.
I've discovered that this allows me to really let my stroke go if I have to. That's nice. It also makes for easier, more accurate playing overall.
As for those who play better with a closed, tight bridge, my advice is work on your stroke and that problem reduces.
Jeff Livingston
S
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This is what I was told when I first started many ,many years ago. An has always made sense. :thumbup:
Yes, you do need both in pool, esp rotation games. Pick out a set of drills and do them open bridge and then closed bridge...mark your misses down. After you do the drills 10 times each you should know which bridge is right for you. I believe if you KNOW yor stroke is straight it doesn't matter which bridge you use other than for power shots and a few other type shots. Johnnyt
I have been trying for YEARS to find a closed bridge I can stroke smoothly with and for the life of me cannot do so. No matter which one I try (and believe me there are a LOT of different ways to form one) I can always visibly see a slight "waggle" of the cue in my bridge hand, unless I really tighten it up and then there's just too much friction for my liking. For the most part I only use the closed bridge on my break shot and on power draw shots (sometimes not even then).
Here's a funny thing though. I've been using the open bridge for all of my life (about 45 years of pool playing), and many times when I get down to shoot, I still put my bridge hand on the table with the cue in a closed bridge. I can't figure out why the heck I do that (happens on about 25% of all my shots). I have to stand back up, rethink, and get back down with the open bridge. Weird, huh? Strange thing is, I've NEVER incorporated the closed bridge into my game other than the aforementioned shots and for experimentation.
Maniac
Here's a funny thing though. I've been using the open bridge for all of my life (about 45 years of pool playing), and many times when I get down to shoot, I still put my bridge hand on the table with the cue in a closed bridge. I can't figure out why the heck I do that (happens on about 25% of all my shots). I have to stand back up, rethink, and get back down with the open bridge. Weird, huh? Strange thing is, I've NEVER incorporated the closed bridge into my game other than the aforementioned shots and for experimentation.
Maniac
Great thread. I think the physiology of the bridge is also important, at least astetically speaking.
Some players use a closed bridge whereby the index finger is placed on top of the middle finger. To me this style is the best looking of all the bridge types. The downside with this particular bridge, at least for me however, is that my fingers are so short and stubby that I am unable to form the bridge and am forced to use one that is more Mosconi like where the index finger curls around the cue shaft.
A good bridge is certainly important. Just ask my Uncle. He went flying off an unfinished bridge one night at about eighty miles an hour. I guess he settled the closed or open question once and for all. :wink:
Some players use a closed bridge whereby the index finger is placed on top of the middle finger. To me this style is the best looking of all the bridge types. The downside with this particular bridge, at least for me however, is that my fingers are so short and stubby that I am unable to form the bridge and am forced to use one that is more Mosconi like where the index finger curls around the cue shaft.
A good bridge is certainly important. Just ask my Uncle. He went flying off an unfinished bridge one night at about eighty miles an hour. I guess he settled the closed or open question once and for all. :wink:
I make more balls consistently with an open bridge than a closed one. Not sure why, but I think I just see the shot better. Plus I love watching Oliver Ortmann play and he is primarily an open bridge player.
I have always found as the ghost stated that some shots call for a open bridge,like a thin cut shot.I have always found i see this shot better with a open bridge.When drawing a ball i have much more control on distance with a closed bridge.Long shots that call for top left or right i have always found easier with a open bridge.Cutting a ball in the corner and having to go three or four rail shape with inside i find easier with a open bridge.I think people who are learning should just try and see whats best for them on certain shots and stick with it. Just another opinion though!
The open bridge has many advantages over a closed bridge, but sometimes a closed bridge is required. For more info, see:
Regards,
Dave
Interesting this got posted. I played with an open bridge for some years and never got much improvement.
Recently a friend watching from the sides told me that my stroke sucks and when playing shots that require more english, I tend to miss the pockets by miles. On the last moment of releasing the cue, the wrist action and the open bridge will veer the cue to the right side.
Anyhow, on his advice, I changed to a closed bridge and viola~!!! I begin start potting better now. And whats more interesting is that after a while, I begin to pot better with an open bridge too, probably brought on by the awareness of the bad stroke previously.
So right now, I always try to use closed bridges during the first few games to help my muscle memory remember the correct stroking posture, and then gradually change to open bridge if I feel more comfortable with it. If I am starting to miss simple shots again, I will revert back to closed bridge to correct this.
I also watch a number of youtube videos to observe when does the pros use close or open bridges and the ratio i gather comes close to 80/20 ( closed/open )
my 2 cents
In your case though the closed bridge is a band aid for a poor stroke. It is a quick fix, but you are not addressing the real problem. You need to straighten out your stroke and get rid of the twisting motion. Then you can use whichever bridge is appropriate for the shot at hand. You are NOT correcting anything when you switch to a closed bridge, you are just covering it up. Work on your mechanics, it will be the best time invested in your game. No matter how much more you may learn, you will not improve to any real degree until you do.
Not intended to be disrespectful at all. Just an observation that I felt should be voiced.
Jw
Here is what I think:
I practice quite a bit with those "Practice Pro" pocket reducers. They make pocketing the ball quite difficult. I find that overall, I am slightly more accurate with an open bridge. I believe this is due to the better sighting from the bridge hand to the ball (which is where Joe Davis, snooker legend, would claim your aim should come from.)
This being said, I have also grown quite accustomed to the feeling of certain shots that require a particular stroke. For example, the one where the OB is about 2 inches off the side rail near the side pocket, and you have to spin it in with low draw and come back across the table for a ball on the end rail. This just feels automatic to me with a closed bridge, and I probably couldn't even make it with an open bridge. Or say the high inside 3 rails around the table type shot. I'm definitely shooting this with a closed bridge.
I guess the point is that each bridge has its advantages:
Closed bridge: offers excellent stability, helps in power shots, especially the break, can provide better control of the cue stick when you need to use a "specialty" stroke-particularly a really loose kind of tossing stroke (great for kill shots or shots with lots of spin)
Open bridge: May offer some better aiming ability and hence greater accuracy, very smooth and unlikely to ever get in the way of your shots...easy to make.
By the way, I also took a lesson with Strickland, and he also told me to have a loose bridge. In fact, he actually made a point of showing how his cue doesn't even really touch the sides of his bridge. Personally, I think it is helpful to have the side of your knuckle on your index finger (where the skin is the thinnest) touch against the cue, but just enough to touch, not to squeeze.
Anyway, hope it helps,
KMRUNOUT
I practice quite a bit with those "Practice Pro" pocket reducers. They make pocketing the ball quite difficult. I find that overall, I am slightly more accurate with an open bridge. I believe this is due to the better sighting from the bridge hand to the ball (which is where Joe Davis, snooker legend, would claim your aim should come from.)
This being said, I have also grown quite accustomed to the feeling of certain shots that require a particular stroke. For example, the one where the OB is about 2 inches off the side rail near the side pocket, and you have to spin it in with low draw and come back across the table for a ball on the end rail. This just feels automatic to me with a closed bridge, and I probably couldn't even make it with an open bridge. Or say the high inside 3 rails around the table type shot. I'm definitely shooting this with a closed bridge.
I guess the point is that each bridge has its advantages:
Closed bridge: offers excellent stability, helps in power shots, especially the break, can provide better control of the cue stick when you need to use a "specialty" stroke-particularly a really loose kind of tossing stroke (great for kill shots or shots with lots of spin)
Open bridge: May offer some better aiming ability and hence greater accuracy, very smooth and unlikely to ever get in the way of your shots...easy to make.
By the way, I also took a lesson with Strickland, and he also told me to have a loose bridge. In fact, he actually made a point of showing how his cue doesn't even really touch the sides of his bridge. Personally, I think it is helpful to have the side of your knuckle on your index finger (where the skin is the thinnest) touch against the cue, but just enough to touch, not to squeeze.
Anyway, hope it helps,
KMRUNOUT