I've only been trying to learn how to play for about 5 months now. All of the instructional books and videos I've seen promote the close bridge as being the only way that you'll ever improve to any level. So I have only practiced/played with the closed bridge up until recently. When I switched to the open bridge it was like night and day. I saw/made more shots. I could control the cueball much easier and over all my game improved drastically. Personally I believe it has everything to do with being able to aim down the cuestick which makes it easier to make shots? Now I've read many posters on here endorse the closed bridge, but when I watch the pros play on TV most of them play 90% of their shots with an open bridge. So what gives is the closed bridge just old school... is it really better or is it just thats the way its been played forever and that's the way it's supposed to be. Just wanting to here some of your thoughts.
open vs. closed bridge
- Thread starter sjason597
- Start date
I've only been trying to learn how to play for about 5 months now. All of the instructional books and videos I've seen promote the close bridge as being the only way that you'll ever improve to any level. So I have only practiced/played with the closed bridge up until recently. When I switched to the open bridge it was like night and day. I saw/made more shots. I could control the cueball much easier and over all my game improved drastically. Personally I believe it has everything to do with being able to aim down the cuestick which makes it easier to make shots? Now I've read many posters on here endorse the closed bridge, but when I watch the pros play on TV most of them play 90% of their shots with an open bridge. So what gives is the closed bridge just old school... is it really better or is it just thats the way its been played forever and that's the way it's supposed to be. Just wanting to here some of your thoughts.
The pros from whom I've taken lessons (which you should do) have all told me the same thing: Use the closed bridge when shooting hard, as when shooting with draw or force follow. Use the open bridge when there is no problem controlling the cue movement.
There is no set rule as to when to use what but it's safer to use the closed bridge whenever you have to shot hard because it easier to insure that the cue will go where you want it too when useing the closed bridge. The open bridge is easier to aim with...as you've discovered.
I recommend that you put in a lot of practice using the closed bridge. You need to have those shots in your arsenal.
There is no set rule as to when to use what but it's safer to use the closed bridge whenever you have to shot hard because it easier to insure that the cue will go where you want it too when useing the closed bridge. The open bridge is easier to aim with...as you've discovered.
I recommend that you put in a lot of practice using the closed bridge. You need to have those shots in your arsenal.
poolplayingtips
Registered
I'll have to agree with JimS on this one...
I learnt how to play from a snooker player hence why most of my shots are done with an open bridge.
However, from time to time, I find myself doing the closed bridge on some shots that I normally would use the open bridge.
I've been playing for almost 11 years now, and I believe it's time I retrained my bridge, as the inconsistency of switching all the time (even sub-concsiously) is adversly affecting my game in certain situations.
Do what works best for you and stick with it. Best advice I ever got.
I learnt how to play from a snooker player hence why most of my shots are done with an open bridge.
However, from time to time, I find myself doing the closed bridge on some shots that I normally would use the open bridge.
I've been playing for almost 11 years now, and I believe it's time I retrained my bridge, as the inconsistency of switching all the time (even sub-concsiously) is adversly affecting my game in certain situations.
Do what works best for you and stick with it. Best advice I ever got.
The players who advocate using closed bridge on any shot where possible, and at the same time claim that using open bridge on normal or draw shots is wrong for everyone including YOU...well...just don't listen to them. Those are closed minded people who have never ever practiced power shots with an open bridge, and they even dare to say that only top snooker stars can play well using open bridge (!), which of course is total crap. One of those fellows asked me why I use such high percentage of open bridge shots, and when I replied because it suits me better, "see" the ball better and it's more of a challenge for me to play that way...he simply said "you'll never be able to control the cueball well that way...you're not Steve Davis". Huh, how's that for an argument? 
sjason597 said:
learn how to use both. they both have their ups and downs. different shots are suited better with each one.
and with just 5 months, save yourself some time. save some money up, make a road trip if you have to and find a good instructor to start you off on the right track. you'll thank yourself in the long run.
thanks
predator said:The players who advocate using closed bridge on any shot where possible, and at the same time claim that using open bridge on normal or draw shots is wrong for everyone including YOU...well...just don't listen to them. Those are closed minded people who have never ever practiced power shots with an open bridge, and they even dare to say that only top snooker stars can play well using open bridge (!), which of course is total crap. One of those fellows asked me why I use such high percentage of open bridge shots, and when I replied because it suits me better, "see" the ball better and it's more of a challenge for me to play that way...he simply said "you'll never be able to control the cueball well that way...you're not Steve Davis". Huh, how's that for an argument?
It's more difficult to strike a pool shot accurately when shooting hard and that degree of difficulty increases with an open bridge because it's more likely that the cue will go off-line without something stable to hold it.
I'm not arguing because I have some sort of bias here. It just makes sense. If the loop made by a closed bridge is holding the cue in place when a forcefull shot is executed then it's less likely that the cue will go off-line. That's why the closed bridge is used..for stability. The open bridge is considered by most to be more accurate because you can see better but the closed bridge is more stable.
Use what bridge you prefer but if you want to reduce the chances of missing when you shoot hard then learn to use a closed bridge for those power shots.
The one spot when I think an open bridge can be important is when the object ball is close to the cue ball. In this situation the closed bridge blocks your view. Unless of course your planning on playing the one shot that is impossible with and open bridge. At least for me that is. I can't do a force follow shot with an open bridge. Generally I use an closed bridge, I don't like getting so close to my work that I need the open bridge to see the shot.
JimS said:
Well, if the cue does go offline my stroke was at fault, the grip hand to be more precise...it's as simple as that. And yes, open bridge requires little more precise stroke, i.e. it is more difficult to play power shots, but it's not a world of difference. I found that out you need a little more discipline in the stroke, that's it. If one has a crooked stroke, no bridge in a world will help him I'm afraid.
There are some shots where I do resort to closed bridge. Where the cue ball is close to the rail but too far away for a rail bridge and I need long circular draw for instance or when there simply isn't enough room to make decent open bridge...those sort of shots are little tougher without closed bridge, I admit. But they don't come up that often...
which bridge?
When playing billiards I use a very short bridge...Playing pool, I usually use a longer and closed bridge and when playing Snooker I use an open bridge most of the time, but when I need the long special control, I still use the closed bridge > even when playing Snooker.
When playing billiards I use a very short bridge...Playing pool, I usually use a longer and closed bridge and when playing Snooker I use an open bridge most of the time, but when I need the long special control, I still use the closed bridge > even when playing Snooker.
Practice all shots with a closed bridge.
Then practice all shots with an open bridge.
For now, play using whichever is more comfortable to you.
Keep practicing using both open and closed bridges.
After about a year or two of playing, you may find that some shots like draw (getting cue ball to roll backwards after hit) or force follow (Cue ball is rolling forwards faster than it is moving) work better with a closed bridge. This is when you are hitting the cue ball off center. The closed bridge keeps the tip of your cue in contact with the cue ball.
I use an open bridge for most shots, and a closed bridge for certain shots. Sometimes either/or depending on what mood I am in!
Then practice all shots with an open bridge.
For now, play using whichever is more comfortable to you.
Keep practicing using both open and closed bridges.
After about a year or two of playing, you may find that some shots like draw (getting cue ball to roll backwards after hit) or force follow (Cue ball is rolling forwards faster than it is moving) work better with a closed bridge. This is when you are hitting the cue ball off center. The closed bridge keeps the tip of your cue in contact with the cue ball.
I use an open bridge for most shots, and a closed bridge for certain shots. Sometimes either/or depending on what mood I am in!
F
Fred Agnir
Guest
sjason597 said:
Here's my standard answer:
I'll echo what others have written before. In the beginning phases, a
student might change from an open bridge to a closed bridge in pool to
aid in their progress in straight stroking. But once they get better
and figure how to stroke relatively straight, then many players will
revert back to or at least re-incorporate the open bridge. Not only
is the open bridge important in a game of pool, it often is the
*correct* bridge for certain shots. That is to say, in many
circumstances, the use of a proper open bridge is actually an
indicator of advancement in pool.
I'm open-hand heavy, as far as percentages go. But, I grew up
(poolwise) watching Rempe and Sigel who use the open-hand bridge more
often than the average professional player. So it stuck.
Fred <~~~ advocates players re-incorporating the open bridge
Fred Agnir said:
I was just about to give Yang as an example of this process. I lived in Taiwan for most of my life (if you like to play pool and/or party, visit Taipei), and I remember watching him on tv when he was 18-19 yo using primarily the closed bridge for most of his shots.
If you watch some of his matches in recent years, you will RARELY find him using a closed bridge anymore. Even on long, hard shots he will use an open bridge, often times hitting the CB so hard the shaft pops off his bridge groove and bounces a couple of times.
I find myself forcing the open bridge on more shots, but discovered this was probably a bad idea. I think the process is natural, and I am unconsciously using more open bridges on the table than before. I never have to think about what bridge to use, btw...
-Roger