Question for players who use both open and closed bridge

[alstl]

I see some players and many pros who use both a closed and open bridge. What is the reason to switch back and forth? I've been told the closed bridge prevents the cue from jumping on hard struck shots. Is that it or is it because you get more English on the ball with a closed bridge? Or is it something else?

 

[Charlie Hustle]

When I draw the cue ball, esp on long draw shots, I use a closed bridge. Anytime I have to strech for a shot I tend to use an open bridge. I guess it just comes down to being comfortable.

 

[Big C]

Accuracy vs. control

I see some players and many pros who use both a closed and open bridge. What is the reason to switch back and forth? I've been told the closed bridge prevents the cue from jumping on hard struck shots. Is that it or is it because you get more English on the ball with a closed bridge? Or is it something else?

When striking the CB above center it is best to use an open hand bridge for accuracy. When striking the CB at, or below center, it is best to use a closed hande bridge for control.

 

[Flex]

When striking the CB above center it is best to use an open hand bridge for accuracy. When striking the CB at, or below center, it is best to use a closed hande bridge for control.

I think it really depends on the shot in both those cases. Any time you plan on striking the cue ball significantly off center, a closed bridge is something to consider. No doubt it gives more control, especially of the shaft. Whether or not it's the best choice for a particular shot is not always apparent.

Flex

P.S. After miscuing a couple hundred times, you may develop your own feel for which is better in a particular situation.

 

[muttley76]

I think for most good players, an open bridge may be easier visually, while a closed bridge is more stable for bigger stroke shots, jmo, Matt

 

[Jal]

I see some players and many pros who use both a closed and open bridge. What is the reason to switch back and forth? I've been told the closed bridge prevents the cue from jumping on hard struck shots. Is that it or is it because you get more English on the ball with a closed bridge? Or is it something else?

For most shots, I use an open bridge as I can see the the shaft alignment better, it slides through the bridge easier, and I feel I have better control of the cueball because my stroke is smoother.

On very brisk shots, I switch to the close bridge because I think it stabilizes my stroke direction a little better (debatable, but I think there's some truth to it).

Sometimes on the harder hit draw shots, I will grip the cue too tightly and lift it up off the open bridge. This is very subtle and I don't notice it except for the resulting paucity of draw action. A closed bridge prevents this.

Having the cue jump off the ball doesn't really affect the shot and, imo, isn't a great reason, in and of itself, for using a closed bridge.

Jim

 

[jondrums]

I'm a big fan of the open bridge for shots that require a lot of accuracy and no side english. For some reason, I like to use a closed bridge for all my side english shots - that's probably because I use back hand english and feel the closed bridge keeps the aim correct during the aiming process.

I don't feel that eigher bridge is better or worse in terms of retaining the cue during any kind of shot (other than a masse). Even if the cue were to jump out of the open bridge, it would be after contact with the CB and meaningless IMO.

 

[pooltchr]

When striking the CB above center it is best to use an open hand bridge for accuracy. When striking the CB at, or below center, it is best to use a closed hande bridge for control.

I think that is a pretty good rule of thumb, but not always appropriate for every situation. I think a more accurate statement would be when aim is most critical, an open bridge will usually be better. When cue ball control is the most critical aspect of a shot, you may want to go with a closed bridge. This falls in line with the above thought, in that when you are hitting below center, it's usually to control where the cue ball is going after contact, so in that case, the closed bridge is usually preferred.

Bottom line, is there is no hard and fast rule. We teach 5 different bridges in pool school, and the trick is applying the correct bridge to the shot you have in front of you.

Steve

 

[oldroller]

Open

Bridges for us older guys might have something to do with having less flexibility with old arthur.Open bridge is not as good but ya gotta make do

 

[Big C]

Kis

I think that is a pretty good rule of thumb, but not always appropriate for every situation. I think a more accurate statement would be when aim is most critical, an open bridge will usually be better. When cue ball control is the most critical aspect of a shot, you may want to go with a closed bridge. This falls in line with the above thought, in that when you are hitting below center, it's usually to control where the cue ball is going after contact, so in that case, the closed bridge is usually preferred.

Bottom line, is there is no hard and fast rule. We teach 5 different bridges in pool school, and the trick is applying the correct bridge to the shot you have in front of you.

Steve

Just trying to keep it simple for the person who posted the question. I think this person was just trying to understand why the pro's often switch between open and closed bridges. My first response to that would be to quote the 1st golden rule.

 

[Flex]

For most shots, I use an open bridge as I can see the the shaft alignment better, it slides through the bridge easier, and I feel I have better control of the cueball because my stroke is smoother.

On very brisk shots, I switch to the close bridge because I think it stabilizes my stroke direction a little better (debatable, but I think there's some truth to it).

Sometimes on the harder hit draw shots, I will grip the cue too tightly and lift it up off the open bridge. This is very subtle and I don't notice it except for the resulting paucity of draw action. A closed bridge prevents this.

Having the cue jump off the ball doesn't really affect the shot and, imo, isn't a great reason, in and of itself, for using a closed bridge.

Jim

In Larry Schwartz's "8-Ball Handbook for Winners" he says one of the most important things when shooting draw shots is to use a very snug closed bridge. He says more shots are missed because the bridge (even a closed one) is too loose.

Many people I see shooting with a closed bridge let the shaft ride in the bridge in a similar way to that used when shooting with an open bridge.

I use a glove and never let the shaft slop around in a closed bridge. With the glove I can snug up against the shaft with nary a problem.

Flex

 

[Cornerman]

My first response to that would be to quote the 1st golden rule.

Which Golden Rule? :

1. Do unto others as you would have done to you.
2. The one with all the GOLD makes the RULES.
3. Never eat YELLOW snow.
4. Don't gamble with one of the participants in a no-holds barred 9-ball 8-ahead TAR-streamed matchup


Fred

 

[Cornerman]

I'm open-hand heavy. But, I think that's because the top professionals that I saw most (Rempe and Sigel) were open-hand heavy.

The progression goes something like this:

Can't make a bridge to save my life
Make an awkward open bridge
Make an awkward closed bridge
Make a good closed bridge
Re-incorporate a good open bridge
Use the open bridge a lot

In other words, the use of a good open bridge is a sign of advancement. Most if not all top players use both open and closed. There really is no steadfast reason to use one over the other for most normal shots. You'll see more people close it for power and power spin shots, while they open up or finesse and stretched out reach shots.

Fred <~~~ uses whatever feels right

 

[RRfireblade]

I used a tight closed bridge most of the time , just always have and it feels most comfortable.

I go to an open bridge on long precise shots, usually for sighting purposes, or for shots when all I'm focused on is absolute speed control.

 

[Big C]

Which Golden Rule:

1. Do unto others as you would have done to you.
2. The one with all the GOLD makes the RULES.
3. Never eat YELLOW snow.
4. Don't gamble with one of the participants in a no-holds barred 9-ball 8-ahead TAR-streamed matchup


Fred <~~~ thinks it's "whatever feels better"

In your case it would be "a closed mouth gathers no foot".

 

[alstl]

The reason I ask the question is because I use an open bridge 99% of the time. I grew up playing snooker and always used an open bridge and it just seems more comfortable to me. I'm not a great player but I can usually get to 100 in equal offense if that gives people an idea. However, people whose opinion I respect suggest that I should use a closed bridge on some shots and I see few pros use exclusively an open bridge except for snooker players.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[Cornerman]

The reason I ask the question is because I use an open bridge 99% of the time. I grew up playing snooker and always used an open bridge and it just seems more comfortable to me. I'm not a great player but I can usually get to 100 in equal offense if that gives people an idea. However, people whose opinion I respect suggest that I should use a closed bridge on some shots and I see few pros use exclusively an open bridge except for snooker players.

Thanks for the replies.

It seems that snooker players who have taken up pool have incorporated closed loop bridges as well. Both Karen and Allison certainly have, but to be very clear, they both use the open hand bridge pre-dominantly.


So, to your friends' point, there is merit in using a closed bridge on some shots, even if you already have a good stroke and are used to using an open hand exclusively. But, there's no reason to force it either.

Just like candy, bacon, & threesomes.... all things in moderation.

Fred <~~~ needs a moderator

 

[Scaramouche]

The Fifth Golden Rule

Which Golden Rule? :

1. Do unto others as you would have done to you.
2. The one with all the GOLD makes the RULES.
3. Never eat YELLOW snow.
4. Don't gamble with one of the participants in a no-holds barred 9-ball 8-ahead TAR-streamed matchup


Fred

Do not do unto others as you would have them do unto you, your tastes may not be the same.
George Bernard Shaw

 

[Pete]

I'm open-hand heavy. But, I think that's because the top professionals that I saw most (Rempe and Sigel) were open-hand heavy.

The progression goes something like this:

Can't make a bridge to save my life
Make an awkward open bridge
Make an awkward closed bridge
Make a good closed bridge
Re-incorporate a good open bridge
Use the open bridge a lot

In other words, the use of a good open bridge is a sign of advancement. Most if not all top players use both open and closed. There really is no steadfast reason to use one over the other for most normal shots. You'll see more people close it for power and power spin shots, while they open up or finesse and stretched out reach shots.

Fred <~~~ uses whatever feels right

Earl uses a closed bridge quite a bit and so does Buddy Hall. Yes they both use open bridges as well but a closed one a lot of the time too. And I think, but I'm not possitive Efren and form the couple of matches I saw Sigel do he is a closed bridge guy.

My oint if any is I humbley don't totaly agree that and open bridge is a sign of advancement, it's what most beginners start with. Now if you want to talk about snooker, damn straight, IThe only snooker guy I saw use a closed bridge (for a couple of shots only) was Ronnie O'Sullivan.

Just my two cents.

Pete

 

[Cornerman]

My oint if any is I humbley don't totaly agree that and open bridge is a sign of advancement, it's what most beginners start with.

The operative word in my statement was the word, "good."

And maybe I should have said:

Often times, a properly formed and used open hand bridge incorporated or re-incorporated into the overall American pool game can be a sign of advancement, as opposed to only thought of as a beginner's bridge. Those who only think of an open hand bridge as a beginner's bridge are missing something.

How's that?

FRed