Open or Closed bridge on break

Easy answer for this
If you can break better with an open bridge........use an open bridge
If you can break better with a closed bridge..........you see where I'm going with this?
 
berlowmj said:
The arguement for the closed bridge appears to be sufficient control for a precise hit on the CB, while others argue that it inhibits speed. Can this contradiction be resolved?
Click to expand...

If you're only ever going to use a closed bridge for one shot, make it the break shot. The benifit you get from control far outweighs any speed you may gain with an open bridge.
 
Colin Colenso said:
As an open bridge player I find the biggest disadvantage of a closed bridge to be sighting alignment. For someone who plays a lot with a closed bridge, I doubt this is a problem.

Colin
Click to expand...

It took me one week to adjust to sighting with a closed bridge. After that, I've never looked back. There's a time and a place for an open bridge, like shooting over balls.

I think it's important to note that after about a month playing with a closed bridge, my game had improved significantly. I'm sure not all of it had to do with a closed bridge, but the confidence I got from having better cb control was a big factor. It's been 3 years now.
 
Last edited:
I break from the side rail, and prefer the rail bridge. When I break a diamond from center, at the head string, I could break either open or closed; neither of which is as powerful as my regular break.

However, my usual power break with an open bridge would be all bad. I'd have to say the way I break that I have to have something holding the cue on all sides... My arm feels loose, like a leather whip, and I crack it from the shoulder all of the way down to the wrist... I have never seen anyone break this hard with an open bridge, but I am guessing it is possible.
 
berlowmj said:
I'm glad you provided clarification. I thought you were using an open bridge on your video & I was concerned. You are the model for power.

Occassionally, I have seen Efren come up empty while breaking on Youtube. How do you explain it?
Click to expand...

btw: This video of Danny Harriman breaking with closed bridge but similar technique to me is well worth a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHNL0fDLXy4

Notice how he lifts his bridge hand on impact. If he didn't, he'd probably damage his cue.

re: Efren coming up empty: Well everyone does sometimes. In 8-ball getting a ball better than 60% of the time requires a pretty good break. 75% is probably the figure for the power breakers. But some tables can be friendlier than others.

Of course, the harder you hit them, the more often you tend to scratch.

9-ball breaking is a different beast. I'd spend much more time studying racks than trying to get a really powerful break for that game. Still, if you can power break at 30+ mph, then you can probably break at 25mph with good control.

Colin
 
I use a closed bridge on the break for the advantages of control and power. The closed bridge allows for a stable base for the cue and I find it easier to apply spins from the break with a closed bridge.

Michael Kendall
 
MichaelKendall said:
I use a closed bridge on the break for the advantages of control and power. The closed bridge allows for a stable base for the cue and I find it easier to apply spins from the break with a closed bridge.

Michael Kendall
Click to expand...

X2, and because with an open bridge, I might lose control and stab somebody at the next table :D
 
Colin Colenso said:
Notice how he lifts his bridge hand on impact. If he didn't, he'd probably damage his cue.
Click to expand...

This is a very salient counterpoint to the "closed bridge for better control" comments: how can I get better control when I have to lift my bridge hand up off the table DURING my forward stroke? With my open bridge, my cue just lifts off my hand on follow-through, meaning instead of getting my left hand out of the way, I can just stroke smoothly, powerfully, and accurately through the CB. I think I have FAR better control that way than having to get my bridge out of the way as the cue comes through impact. To each his own, I guess.

-Andrew
 
berlowmj said:
The arguement for the closed bridge appears to be sufficient control for a precise hit on the CB, while others argue that it inhibits speed. Can this contradiction be resolved?
Click to expand...


I am not going to read through all the replies. Closed bridge on the break offers the most power and control.

I will not reply to any arguments to my statement. If you want to have a powerful break use a closed bridge.
 
Andrew Manning said:
This is a very salient counterpoint to the "closed bridge for better control" comments: how can I get better control when I have to lift my bridge hand up off the table DURING my forward stroke? With my open bridge, my cue just lifts off my hand on follow-through, meaning instead of getting my left hand out of the way, I can just stroke smoothly, powerfully, and accurately through the CB. I think I have FAR better control that way than having to get my bridge out of the way as the cue comes through impact. To each his own, I guess.

-Andrew
Click to expand...
Yes Andrew, I think this is a valid point. I like the freedom of having a big follow through without having to worry about lifting my bridge hand up with the cue. I can keep my bridge on the table throughout the stroke which I feel adds to my overall stability.

But obviously some big breakers like Danny have learned to adjust.

There is also an advantage in keeping the cue in place during the accelleration phase of the stroke with a closed bridge, but for players who have played a lot with an open bridge, i.e. Snooker countries, I don't think swinging with power while keeping the cue on the bridge hand is much of a problem.

Colin
 
Ive been working on a closed bridge for break now for a while, I would have to confess it helps. WHy did I bother to change...

a) My break from the box in the Big Apple and US open events sucked with an Open bridge.

b) Earl told me to! (seriously)

It was VERY strange at first but I've def got more comfortable with it.
 
8 ball break in perspective

Colin Colenso said:
btw: This video of Danny Harriman breaking with closed bridge but similar technique to me is well worth a look:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FHNL0fDLXy4

Notice how he lifts his bridge hand on impact. If he didn't, he'd probably damage his cue.

re: Efren coming up empty: Well everyone does sometimes. In 8-ball getting a ball better than 60% of the time requires a pretty good break. 75% is probably the figure for the power breakers. But some tables can be friendlier than others.

Of course, the harder you hit them, the more often you tend to scratch.

9-ball breaking is a different beast. I'd spend much more time studying racks than trying to get a really powerful break for that game. Still, if you can power break at 30+ mph, then you can probably break at 25mph with good control.

Colin
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for putting 8 ball breaking in perspective by providing those statistics. I thought that coming up empty was a rare exception for accomplished players.

In the video, I noticed the closed bridge breakers follow through into the table rather than having their cue rise up as you do with your open bridge. Is this significant?
 
berlowmj said:
Thank you so much for putting 8 ball breaking in perspective by providing those statistics. I thought that coming up empty was a rare exception for accomplished players.

In the video, I noticed the closed bridge breakers follow through into the table rather than having their cue rise up as you do with your open bridge. Is this significant?
Click to expand...

I suspect some breakers using a closed bridge would also have their cue come up into the air if their bridge was open.

The main reason for my cue rising tends to be tightening of the grip, which I feel adds power. Sometimes it needs to be controlled as I've hit the table light on my follow through before:o

Colin
 
Open question about closed bridge

A closed Bridge is used more when your trying to produce a stroke of authority, if Efren would use the open bridge for the break playing Ten Ball I would play him and bet high. I have seen Archer break with an open bridge but only when he has doctored (here a tap there a tap) the table for the wing ball prior to the match or when the Sardo rack is in effect. The main distinction to notice about the open bridge is that it will help you cut the object ball better, the closed bridge has a tendency to pinch and jump the cue ball more therefore creating more deflection. I realize the question was about the break I just thought I would throw my two cents, many people will tell you that an open handed bridge is for beginners only-I don't share that opinion. There is one more notable advantage with the open hand, you get to see more of the cue ball.
Sincerely, Danny Harriman
 
I noticed while watching the video's of Earl on propoolvideos that when he was playing 10ball, that when was breaking, he would let go of the cue with his bridge hand, and basically end up with a open bridge follow through. Like Colins break shot.

I can say that, several guys in my area use a open bridge for breaking and they have a damn good break! BUT they are also playing on 7ft tables all the time, so its alot different.

But everyone is different and if thats what works for them, why change.
 
All of the best players in the world break with a closed bridge. Why would this question even need to come up?
 
Matt_24 said:
All of the best players in the world break with a closed bridge. Why would this question even need to come up?
Click to expand...

Because with the exception of Danny Harriman, none of the people who have posted on this thread belong to the group "all of the best players in the world." I don't see how their break mechanics should apply to me.

Anyway, give me 10 breaks in 8-ball with an open bridge, and 10 with a closed bridge. I guarantee you I will sink more balls and have fewer clusters with the open bridge. As soon as I start winning WPCs and US Opens, you won't be able to claim that all the best players in the world break with a closed bridge anymore, because I don't think you'll ever see me switch.

-Andrew
 
Danny Harriman said:
A closed Bridge is used more when your trying to produce a stroke of authority..........

The main distinction to notice about the open bridge is that it will help you cut the object ball better, the closed bridge has a tendency to pinch and jump the cue ball more therefore creating more deflection.

Sincerely, Danny Harriman
Click to expand...

What do you mean by authority, pinching and jumping, as it relates to deflection? Deflection of the CB? Do you mean squirt?

Colin
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top