Something I noticed Efren Reyes doing

[alstl]

I play with an open bridge, I can't aim as good with a closed bridge. A good player told me he recommends switching to a closed bridge on longer shots or shots where you need to hit the ball hard.

I noticed Efren doing that, uses an open bridge but switches to closed sometimes.

 

[pooltchr]

As a general rule, I like an open bridge when hitting the cb above center, and a closed bridge when hitting below center. Not EVERY time, but for the most part, that's what I find myself doing.
Steve

 

[JayBates]

if i can comfortably make a closed bridge without moving another ball or touching other balls than i like to use it...only time i use an open bridge is when i dont have the room to use a closed...or if the CB is on a rail. seems to me its just a matter of what you feel most comfortable with.

 

[coolpoolfool]

The only time I use an open bridge is when the cue ball has another ball beside it and I can't reach it with a closed one.

 

[Williebetmore]

I have had 3 top pro's tell me to use the open bridge for severe cut shots (the theory being this allows better sighting for shots where fine aim is critical to success). Closed bridges for power shots and severe English shots. What you do on other shots is a matter of personal preference.

 

[Snapshot9]

I have had 3 top pro's tell me to use the open bridge for severe cut shots (the theory being this allows better sighting for shots where fine aim is critical to success). Closed bridges for power shots and severe English shots. What you do on other shots is a matter of personal preference.

I agree with this 100%... (There's your one Wille .... lol)

 

[Williebetmore]

(There's your one Wille .... lol)

Snap,
I don't think so. I was REALLY looking forward to the televised match (working the long weekend from Friday morning to Monday evening - I needed a little break). You still owe me one (I was thinking in terms of an automobile, cruise, or week in Vegas).

 

[laser2507]

I use the closed bridge more and more now, the higher closed bridge is what I use the most. Open bridge is easier for some shots though, dont know why.

 

[smashmouth]

Closed bridge is most definetly more difficult for most and also a giant pain in the rear if you have sweaty hands or use powder.

I can't quantify nor provide any form of rational explanation, but I've always just felt that closed is the way to go 95% of the time, I'm not sure why I feel that way.

I find it interesting that all the old timers use closed almost exclusively.

I also noticed alot of 15yr plus pros like Archer, Reyes, Strickland, etc... all use open bridges far more than they did a decade ago.

This is a subject where people often state to "use what is comfortable for you" which I believe is ultimately incorrect.

Over time, I think this subject will eventually be explored in depth and tested via experiments (much like the effects of sidespin which have been analyzed and tested quite thoroughly over the last decade)

 

[CrownCityCorey]

I play with an open bridge, I can't aim as good with a closed bridge. A good player told me he recommends switching to a closed bridge on longer shots or shots where you need to hit the ball hard.

I noticed Efren doing that, uses an open bridge but switches to closed sometimes.

Open bridges increase ball pocketing accuracy. Closed bridges increase cue ball control.

With an open bridge (whether you realize it or not) you are using the cue shaft line as a guide to the object ball. The closed bridge, does not allow this as the finger loop breaks that visual line.

Look at snooker (ball pocketing & small pockets) all open bridges.

Look at 3-Cushion billiards (all about the cue ball) all closed bridges.

 

[Klopek]

Open bridges increase ball pocketing accuracy. Closed bridges increase cue ball control.

With an open bridge (whether you realize it or not) you are using the cue shaft line as a guide to the object ball. The closed bridge, does not allow this as the finger loop breaks that visual line.

Look at snooker (ball pocketing & small pockets) all open bridges.

Look at 3-Cushion billiards (all about the cue ball) all closed bridges.

I agree with this post 100%. I use the open for any long or difficult cut shots where aiming is key and cue ball control takes a backseat to the pot. When I'm at close to medium range, it's almost always closed bridge because A.) This usually mean I need maximum control on the cue ball and B.) I'm a little higher above my cue for these shots so sighting is never an issue.

Good post Corey, better late than never right?.

 

[Gerry]

experi mental

To prove a point to a player I was teaching the break to, I challenged him to a break contest with him breaking anyway he wants, and I break from the "D" OPEN bridged!.....he got schooled. I made more balls, had more control, and had a shot more often.

The point I was trying to make with him was the break is not always hit at max level, so by learning with an open bridge he wouldn't over hit the break ala Sigel cranking on his cue after breaking.

To this day my most accurate/productive break is with an open bridge, hit at half speed. Laugh away, but you know your going to try it next session!

Gerry

 

[Snapshot9]

Well

To prove a point to a player I was teaching the break to, I challenged him to a break contest with him breaking anyway he wants, and I break from the "D" OPEN bridged!.....he got schooled. I made more balls, had more control, and had a shot more often.

The point I was trying to make with him was the break is not always hit at max level, so by learning with an open bridge he wouldn't over hit the break ala Sigel cranking on his cue after breaking.

To this day my most accurate/productive break is with an open bridge, hit at half speed. Laugh away, but you know your going to try it next session!

Gerry

I understand what you are saying, except the real test should have been by yourselves, first using an open bridge, then a closed bridge. Because the other guy doesn't break exactly like you do, and where he hit the head ball, the english on the cue ball, and everything else negates any results you had with your test.

Now, if you truly believe what you are advocating, then how come every pro, that I know of anyway, breaks with a closed bridge in tournament play or for big money matches?

 

[Gerry]

I understand what you are saying, except the real test should have been by yourselves, first using an open bridge, then a closed bridge. Because the other guy doesn't break exactly like you do, and where he hit the head ball, the english on the cue ball, and everything else negates any results you had with your test.

Now, if you truly believe what you are advocating, then how come every pro, that I know of anyway, breaks with a closed bridge in tournament play or for big money matches?

Maybe they just never tried it?.....I've never been one to fall in line, or just do it because "they" do it. Probably the same reason Cory Deuel soft breaks, or Kieth McCready used the side rail one pocket break at times, or cuemakers tried new materials, the Sardo rack, layered tips, Simonis cloth...etc. I just feel if I never try something different, I'll never learn anything new.


I didn't have a breaking comp with him to show I'm better, just to show a sledgehammer break isn't always the best alternative when you give up control.

Do I exclusively break open bridged?...no, if the table demands a hard break, I go to a closed bridge for control. The open bridge gives me a better look at the sight line along with the reminder not to lose control.

Gerry

 

[Colin Colenso]

I think that pool players often use or learn the closed bridge simply out of imitation.

In the English games, the players almost exclusively use open bridges.

There may be an argument for using a closed bridge with the heavier US Pool CB when using extreme power, but such shots probably only come up once in every 10 games.

Personally, I don't think the closed bridge is as stable or as adaptable for intricate adjustments. After all, there is one less finger on the table to stabilize the bridge.

Anyway, if you play enough either way you'll adapt. It would hardly make a difference in player's ability if they changed their bridge from one to the other.

Colin

 

[JoeyInCali]

I play with an open bridge, I can't aim as good with a closed bridge. A good player told me he recommends switching to a closed bridge on longer shots or shots where you need to hit the ball hard.

I noticed Efren doing that, uses an open bridge but switches to closed sometimes.

Efren shoots with an open bridge on long shots unless he has to power the ball.
Efren said, he uses the spyder bridge most of the time. He said when he feels a lot of pressure, he lets the left side of his left palm touch and rest on the felt. Usually he bridges with the pinky and middle fingers erect.

 

[Island Drive]

Close it up on the break shot for sure, your elbow drops the shaft comes up and launching the cue ball or a miscue is very possible. Shooting off the rail I would much rather close it up to take away "any" chance of a miscue, now if its a soft hit I would much rather have an open bridge. Also on any draw shots where your really working the cue ball I would always close it up, miscues cost you too many matches.

 

[Klopek]

Now, if you truly believe what you are advocating, then how come every pro, that I know of anyway, breaks with a closed bridge in tournament play or for big money matches?

Johnny Archer and Earl Strickland are both using an open bridge to break, not every single time, but most of the time. Earl has said, and I paraphrase, "I feel I have better control over the cueball with an open bridge". (2004 US Open post-game interview). He also mentioned that he saw Johnny using it and decided that he should use it.

 

[Klopek]

I think that pool players often use or learn the closed bridge simply out of imitation.

In the English games, the players almost exclusively use open bridges.

There may be an argument for using a closed bridge with the heavier US Pool CB when using extreme power, but such shots probably only come up once in every 10 games.

Personally, I don't think the closed bridge is as stable or as adaptable for intricate adjustments. After all, there is one less finger on the table to stabilize the bridge.

Anyway, if you play enough either way you'll adapt. It would hardly make a difference in player's ability if they changed their bridge from one to the other.

Colin

Tap Tap Tap.

 

[Gerry]

Johnny Archer and Earl Strickland are both using an open bridge to break, not every single time, but most of the time. Earl has said, and I paraphrase, "I feel I have better control over the cueball with an open bridge". (2004 US Open post-game interview). He also mentioned that he saw Johnny using it and decided that he should use it.

YES!, So I'm not psycho!

Thanks Klopek.....

Gerry