Open vs Close Bridge

[skor]

In the past, all pros (most of them) used close bridge. Every instructor was advocating close bridge as the way to go.
Nowadays, all the pros (most of them) use open bridge... what changed? and when?
For snooker it was always open bridge, the snooker stance was different and the chin is on the cue so that gave that extra contact point to secure the cue position and a closed bridge would block the player's view.
So I get pool players that put the chin on the cue who use open bridge but many don't put the chin on the cue, so why not close bridge?

 

[billiards_watch]

I can't answer that except its just preference. I do both.

 

[skor]

I can't answer that except its just preference. I do both.

I've seen some on-line instructors that say that open bridge is the "pro way". Something changes while I was a way from the game...
I use both as well

 

[boogieman]

I use both without even thinking about which one I'm doing. It all depends on the shot and how you have to bridge.

 

[BobPA]

I use both without even thinking about which one I'm doing. It all depends on the shot and how you have to bridge.

Same

 

[pt109]

I’m probably 75% closed bridge…..and I was a snooker player. In the UK they used to ask me how I could aim like that……..
I would ask them if they looked at the windshield wipers when it was raining.

 

[markjames]

charles darwin spoke very eloquently
on this very subject

 

[billiards_watch]

I use both without even thinking about which one I'm doing. It all depends on the shot and how you have to bridge.

This is it.

 

[billiards_watch]

I've seen some on-line instructors that say that open bridge is the "pro way". Something changes while I was a way from the game...
I use both as well

I can tell you there is no pro way.

 

[gregcantrall]

The sight line interrupted and slightly more friction are the draw back for the closed bridge.

 

[straightline]

The sight line interrupted and slightly more friction are the draw back for the closed bridge.

Text book used to be stand up stroke, short bridge, near balance point grip. Strangle bridge was the best way to keep the cue down.

 

[markjames]

to answer your questions you might look at the steve mizerak-steve davis matches in the 80’s

 

[mr3cushion]

The sight line interrupted and slightly more friction are the draw back for the closed bridge.

I guess Millions of 3C players around the World are/have been doing it wrong for over 150 years!

 

[Rusty in Montana]

I'm a closed bridge person unless my arthritis is acting up then I'll still try to close my bridge and only as a last resort will use a open bridge .

 

[Patrick Johnson]

…why not close bridge?

You give a valid reason:

…a closed bridge would block the player's view.

And an open bridge can do everything a closed bridge can - except keep your shaft from jumping out of your bridge on force follow shots (it doesn’t hurt the shot and you get used to it).

pj
chgo

 

[nataddrho]

An open bridge never feels good in 3 cushion, but is necessary in smaller games. I think it has a lot to do with how much power is needed in the shot. We subconsciously decide which to use.

 

[gregcantrall]

Colin's power break video is interesting and he uses an open bridge. His assessment is that it's a personal preference and open or closed bridge both work fine.

Edit: I find it interesting that he considered raising up in the follow through as a Feature rather than a flaw.

 

[gregcantrall]

Mike Dechain uses a closed bridge but still raises in the follow through of this power break.

 

[trob]

I use both without thinking which to use. If it’s a power stroke I will goto a closed bridge but again it’s a sub conscious thing

 

[gregcantrall]

The pro taper feature of a pool cue facilitates a loop bridge. The conical taper of a snooker cue makes an open bridge the go to.