I use both and find open is better for some shots and closed better for others. But, the one type of shot I find an open bridge is much easier for me is a long pot with no position required, i.e. cinching the ball. My accuracy seems to suffer with a closed bridge on those shots.
Question for players who use both open and closed bridge
- Thread starter alstl
- Start date
Jack Karnehm on his instructional video states that snooker players should consider the ?American? closed bridge for some shots. As I remember he was referring to power shots. So I guess it merits consideration.
I have small hands and find that it is difficult for me to make a good closed bridge. I do not know about others but I find that it is difficult to rest the cue so that it is in contact with bone on my bridge hand in a closed bridge. The flesh in the fingers allows the cue stick to wander off line on. On power shots I have to really concentrate and have to get the arm at an uncomfortable angle to get the right cue stick contact. But it is just one of those things I have to work on to gain control over the cue stick.
With the open bridge the cue is always in contact with bone so it remains stable if my thumb is in the air. The open shaft is easier to sight.
Then too, there are times, such as up against a rail, when an open bridge is not reasonably possible.
I think that an open bridge is preferred for its bridge stability and a closed bridge for the power stabilization ? but you have to work with the latter.
Bridging is an important topic to me and I have watched many pros and their use of different bridges. From what I have seen these conclusions are probably close to what I have observed.
I have small hands and find that it is difficult for me to make a good closed bridge. I do not know about others but I find that it is difficult to rest the cue so that it is in contact with bone on my bridge hand in a closed bridge. The flesh in the fingers allows the cue stick to wander off line on. On power shots I have to really concentrate and have to get the arm at an uncomfortable angle to get the right cue stick contact. But it is just one of those things I have to work on to gain control over the cue stick.
With the open bridge the cue is always in contact with bone so it remains stable if my thumb is in the air. The open shaft is easier to sight.
Then too, there are times, such as up against a rail, when an open bridge is not reasonably possible.
I think that an open bridge is preferred for its bridge stability and a closed bridge for the power stabilization ? but you have to work with the latter.
Bridging is an important topic to me and I have watched many pros and their use of different bridges. From what I have seen these conclusions are probably close to what I have observed.
I seldom use an open bridge. I seldom hit centerball.
Both area's I aspire to spend more time with.
Both area's I aspire to spend more time with.
Coming from a snooker background, I used to use the open bridge exclusively. When I switched to pool, I practiced using a closed bridge whenever possible, until I got comfortable with it.
Once you are familiar with using both for all types of shots, you can forget about it: you will just start choosing the 'correct' bridge without thinking about it. :smile:
For me, it is open most of the time. But for certain types of shots I find myself autmatically switching to closed. A power shot with side english is one type, as well as some close range finesse shots.
Once you are familiar with using both for all types of shots, you can forget about it: you will just start choosing the 'correct' bridge without thinking about it. :smile:
For me, it is open most of the time. But for certain types of shots I find myself autmatically switching to closed. A power shot with side english is one type, as well as some close range finesse shots.
I use the closed bridge whenever I comfortably can. I believe it's just more accurate as the cue cannot move if held tightly at that point. If the cue is just laying across the fingers then it might move. I think it's just prudent to use a tightly closed bridge whenever possible.
That's what I was taught by the pro's who provided lessons to me and that's what I continue to believe. It just makes sense to not take chances.
That's what I was taught by the pro's who provided lessons to me and that's what I continue to believe. It just makes sense to not take chances.
There's a trade-off when you use a closed bridge, especially when trying to play above the horizontal axis of the CB, which is that those who use the shaft/ferrule/tip as an alignment tool often can't see as much of the shaft/ferrule/tip when using a closed bridge. For those people and those types of shots, a closed bridge is not recommended. In general, I'd say that those who stand up a little higher in their stance wouldn't have a problem sighting using the shaft/ferrule/tip and can use the closed bridge whenever possible and accuracy won't suffer. However, those who get very low should probably do the opposite, which is use the open bridge whenever possible. If you watch old school players, who tend to stand up more, you'll notice they tend to use the closed bridge more than open. If you watch snooker players, who tend to stay low on the cue, their primary bridge of choice is the open bridge. In the end, as with most things in pool, it comes down to personal preference and comfort.JimS said:
-djb
using the loop bridge for power shots with side spin
The stroke just feels more controlled.
You know how it is when you really let your stroke out, it sometimes feels that you are less likely to hit the white exactly where you were aiming, less accurate with your aim and just less in control of the cue generally? Well I find that a closed bridge helps in that area.
The amount of spin that you can put on the ball depends purely on how well you are striking the ball. However I guess this could be helped by using a bridge that makes you feel more confident about the shot.
alstl said:
The stroke just feels more controlled.
You know how it is when you really let your stroke out, it sometimes feels that you are less likely to hit the white exactly where you were aiming, less accurate with your aim and just less in control of the cue generally? Well I find that a closed bridge helps in that area.
The amount of spin that you can put on the ball depends purely on how well you are striking the ball. However I guess this could be helped by using a bridge that makes you feel more confident about the shot.
I don't really think about it to often, I just switch subconciously. However, it basically comes down to wanting to use an open bridge whenever cue (stick not ball) control is not an issue. I definitely draw better with a closed bridge, that may be due to my on deficiencies or it may be true for everybody. I fell I stroke more smoothly with an open bridge and that is why I use it whenever I can.