Open vs Close Bridge

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?
1) Aiming aid using very long bridges, longer than previous pros.

2) Amateurs are now using very long bridges as well, therefore, and also, negatively affecting their play.
 
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.
Once again, 3C cues have a 'Conical' taper! Average tip size for 3C is 11.8mm-12.2mm

Snooker balls are 2-1/8" in diameter, tip size on 'Snooker' cues are from 9mm-10.5mm.

More Precise contacting of the CB is needed because of smaller diameter; hence an 'Open Bridge' may be needed.
 
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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.
Dont think so and if that vid is where you got that theory, that guy is dead wrong about that being a reason.

A carom taper is far fatter than a snooker one and there are plenty of little Asian hands effectively using carom shafts with closed bridges.
 
Once again, 3C cues have a 'Conical' taper! Average tip size for 3C is 11.8mm-12.2mm

Snooker balls are 2-1/8" in diameter, tip size on 'Snooker' cues are from 9mm-10.5mm.

More Precise contacting of the CB is needed because of smaller diameter; hence an 'Open Bridge' may be needed.
Agreed
 
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. 🤷‍♂️
He raises up at the beginning of the shot stroke, not just for the follow through. That straightens his shooting arm and allows him to involve his shoulder muscles for more power - a lot like SVB's break form.

pj
chgo
 
Probably around 2002-4 i found flaws in my stroke with a closed bridge, with an open bridge i can see and fix the flaw in my stroke and i can sight my shot better with it too.
 
Tips of different diameters are equally precise - they just look different doing the same thing.

pj
chgo
Overall, through the 'Full Length' of a 3C cue compared to a Snooker cue, 3C cues are thicker/Fatter.

At the joint 3C cues can be anywhere from 0.840-0.875! Do the Math.
 
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Once again, 3C cues have a 'Conical' taper! Average tip size for 3C is 11.8mm-12.2mm

Snooker balls are 2-1/8" in diameter, tip size on 'Snooker' cues are from 9mm-10.5mm.

More Precise contacting of the CB is needed because of smaller diameter; hence an 'Open Bridge' may be needed.
US snooker balls are that size but UK/rest of world is 2-1/16". Still playing much BS? Been a while since i gave you that grip at Magoos in Tulsa.
 
Dont think so and if that vid is where you got that theory, that guy is dead wrong about that being a reason.
It's My theory. 🤷‍♂️ Based on my experience using a loop bridge. I started out with a loop bridge. Following Willie Mosconi's book Mosconi On Pocket Billiards. Here's the page on the 20250328_080529.jpgbridge.
Willie said:
the shaft of the cue must be held tightly enough so that the flesh of the thumb and fingers moves like agitated jello as the player does his warm up stroking.
I suppose there's always the chance that Willie didn't write it as somebody put forth regarding Willie Hoppe and his book on Billiards. 🤷‍♂️
My evolution to primarily using an open bridge included the friction factor. Getting my chin on the cue as my stance evolved made the interrupt of the sight line down the cue a factor as well. As in shooting a gun, I can be more accurate with a longer barrel to sight down. 🤷‍♂️
No surprise when a theory of my own is wrong. Now to tell me that Stephen Hendry is wrong would definitely get me aroused. 😉 It's My theory not his. (Thankfully)
 
I’m probably 90% open bridge.
Closed on power draw at any distance.
Open on power follow at any distance.
I grew up on heavy nap cloth my power strokes are pretty strong I have to tame them down on today’s equipment.
It’s just habit I don’t think about it.

3 cushion I’m the opposite.
90-95 % closed bridge.
Never really think much about it.
 
It's My theory. 🤷‍♂️ Based on my experience using a loop bridge. I started out with a loop bridge. Following Willie Mosconi's book Mosconi On Pocket Billiards. Here's the page on the View attachment 815441bridge.
I suppose there's always the chance that Willie didn't write it as somebody put forth regarding Willie Hoppe and his book on Billiards. 🤷‍♂️
My evolution to primarily using an open bridge included the friction factor. Getting my chin on the cue as my stance evolved made the interrupt of the sight line down the cue a factor as well. As in shooting a gun, I can be more accurate with a longer barrel to sight down. 🤷‍♂️
No surprise when a theory of my own is wrong. Now to tell me that Stephen Hendry is wrong would definitely get me aroused. 😉 It's My theory not his. (Thankfully)
Hendry is wrong about taper being the reason for choosing open/ closed bridge if that's what all that says.
 
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?

Eleven reasons for the trend toward an open bridge can be found here:

Demonstrations of many of the advantages can be found here:

 
I think power draw is easier with a closed bridge.
You do realize a closed bridge literally has no effect on the mechanics of a 'power' draw shot... or any draw shit for that matter

Now there is an argument to 'power' follow. As the shaft could pop out of the bridge hand after contact. Not that it would alter the shot at all. However the consistent haphazard cue control would likely manifest in motion prior to contact.
 
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