open or closed bridge
- Thread starter rbgarmon
- Start date
Heres some nice murky advice for you..... it varies from person to person. If you have played that long with an open bridge, stick with it. There is nothing that a closed bridge will on. Most people use it for shots hit harder than normal and off center (hard draw and follow shots etc). And it only helps then if the person has a tendency to "steer" the cue as they are going forward on the stroke.
So in a nutshell, if you have no problem aiming or moving the cueball..... dont worry about changing your game, unless you want to impress people with some whacked out contorted finger position never before seen.....
Chuck
So in a nutshell, if you have no problem aiming or moving the cueball..... dont worry about changing your game, unless you want to impress people with some whacked out contorted finger position never before seen.....
Chuck
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Steve
Can you elaborate on these 5 bridges any? I know closed, open, and briidging off a rail, and maybe the tripod bridge that the Filapinos use.
Also, how do you know a good woman player? She's the one that learned to make a proper bridge..... LOL
pooltchr said:
Can you elaborate on these 5 bridges any? I know closed, open, and briidging off a rail, and maybe the tripod bridge that the Filapinos use.
Also, how do you know a good woman player? She's the one that learned to make a proper bridge..... LOL
I don't know if I have 5 or more bridges, but I agree that several ways to bridge need to be learned. More habit and mental imagery in my case than anything, but I bridge differently depending on what kind of action I'm trying to get with the CB regardless of the how the shot lies. I also noticed that close to 100% of the time, I use an open bridge on the game ball regardless of the type of shot. This tells me that if I'm looking for 100% accuracy without having to worry about shape, I tend to use an open bridge.pooltchr said:
dave
One guy that I use to play league pool with back in the 80's played with an open bridge all the time and played strong. He switched to the closed loop bridge out of peer pressure, and seeing everybody else do it I guess, and I don't think he's ever played as well since. There's also a guy currently on our team that shoots the open bridge on every shot and he's one of the best players in the area. My hands are small but I'm able to shoot with a closed bridge just fine but my friend that switched had thick fingers and I believe that's more of a problem than finger length. If you look at pro players' stance, stroke and bridges there's no right way that works for everyone. I'd say after 25 years I wouldn't mess with it.
Since there are at least 5 rail bridges alone, I'm forced to conclude that that list is incomplete. Among others, the fist bridge is missing.renard said:
It may ease your mind to know that the highest-paid cuemen in the world use nothing but open bridges. Even for massive power draw shots. Of course, they work far harder on their fundamentals than most are willing to do. If your back-hand mechanics are flawed, a closed bridge can compensate, somewhat.rbgarmon said:
Bob Jewett said:
Have to disagree with you, but I've seen them play too much to agree that they use nothing but open bridges. That statement makes no sense at all, as I know you have seen them all play. In fact, I have rarely seen any of the top pros use open bridges on power shots. Steven Davis, snooker player, is the exception. Here are some recent links to some of the top players at the Open and DCC using closed bridges.
http://www.azbilliards.com/gallery/showpicture.cfm?eventnum=168&photographernum=30&picnum=9537
http://www.azbilliards.com/gallery/showpicture.cfm?eventnum=168&photographernum=30&picnum=9580
http://www.pbase.com/rixx/image/72907881
http://www.pbase.com/rixx/image/72907871
http://www.azbilliards.com/gallery/2006usopen1/NC5B1972.jpg
http://www.azbilliards.com/gallery/showpicture.cfm?eventnum=168&photographernum=30&picnum=9485
http://www.azbilliards.com/gallery/showpicture.cfm?eventnum=168&photographernum=30&picnum=9487
http://www.pbase.com/rixx/image/72907854
http://www.pbase.com/rixx/image/72907891
http://www.pbase.com/rixx/image/72907927
And of course, Efren.
http://www.pbase.com/rixx/image/73115682
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caedos
a.k.a. Maestro
Snapshot9 said:
The basic ones I teach: Open, Closed (including the fist bridge), tripod, rail, extended rail. I guess you could label a contortion bridge, the mechanical bridge, and one I call a 'super bridge' because it's taller than my tripod bridge (pinky and ring-finger on the table, flat hand, cue resting on wrist behind the thumb, and all fingers pointed in general towards the shot).
oz
RiverCity said:
Can't say I can argue about that. Of course I don't think the fellow that started the thread was talking about snooker. And with a couple of exceptions, many use closed bridges when playing pool. Its a different game. Sort of like saying because they use a 9mm shaft, its better for pool.
Might also note that Efren has made over 1.2 m in the last couple of years. Marlon Manalo, Ralf and others are close behind.
I spent my childhood years using an open bridge, then was urged to switch to closed bridge when I was 21 and started playing seriously. That was eighteen years ago. A few weeks ago I read Koehler's explanation of bridge technique in The Science of Pocket Billiards and decided to try the open bridge again. My shot-making and position immediately went up, and my stroke feels cleaner. I'm staying with it.
Banks
Banned
I miss my knuckle bridge!
It was a nice bridge and I got a hoot out of the funny looks I got. Damn you, peer pressure!
That said, I play with whatever bridge feels comfortable for the shot. Power shots and shots where I want the cue low I'll use a closed bridge - maybe it has something to do with controlling any unwanted deflection. Opposite-handed I can't really make a closed bridge very well, so it's pretty much all open. Opposite hand is catching up pretty darn fast, so maybe that really is it.. only time will tell. Would suck to spend a few years playing pool only to find out I've been shooting with the wrong hand all this time!
It was a nice bridge and I got a hoot out of the funny looks I got. Damn you, peer pressure!
That said, I play with whatever bridge feels comfortable for the shot. Power shots and shots where I want the cue low I'll use a closed bridge - maybe it has something to do with controlling any unwanted deflection. Opposite-handed I can't really make a closed bridge very well, so it's pretty much all open. Opposite hand is catching up pretty darn fast, so maybe that really is it.. only time will tell. Would suck to spend a few years playing pool only to find out I've been shooting with the wrong hand all this time!
Banks said:It was a nice bridge and I got a hoot out of the funny looks I got. Damn you, peer pressure!
That said, I play with whatever bridge feels comfortable for the shot. Power shots and shots where I want the cue low I'll use a closed bridge - maybe it has something to do with controlling any unwanted deflection. Opposite-handed I can't really make a closed bridge very well, so it's pretty much all open. Opposite hand is catching up pretty darn fast, so maybe that really is it.. only time will tell. Would suck to spend a few years playing pool only to find out I've been shooting with the wrong hand all this time!
The knuckle bridge...would you be referring to the DRAGON CLAW!!!
i usually don't know whether or not i'll use an open bridge or closed bridge on a given shot, i'm comfortable with both.
The only one that is set in stone is my index finger looped over the shaft when bridging off the rail for a break shot.
Any other time, my hand seems to pick the best bridge for me. I don't want to argue with my left hand. What would happen if i pissed it off??
The only one that is set in stone is my index finger looped over the shaft when bridging off the rail for a break shot.
Any other time, my hand seems to pick the best bridge for me. I don't want to argue with my left hand. What would happen if i pissed it off??