I use a shorter bridge whenever possible myself. Using a longer bridge can help deliver more power and can be useful for a power draw for instance, but one had better be practiced up using the long bridge, because as stated, more to go wrong.A deep dark secret, almost all of us would shoot better with a shorter bridge! The top players started using a longer bridge, must be better so all of the lesser players jumped on the bandwagon. I use a long bridge these days, comfortable and I am lazy. I played my best pool with a six or eight inch closed bridge. It wasn't cool even in that day but it made me a lot of money. A short bridge creates a short stroke. Short strokes have less to go wrong with them.
Hu
I took a several years break from pool and only recently got back to practicing and playing again and I'm glad I did....this game is fun.
My biggest weakness is the break, but I'm slowly improving there.
Practiced 14.1 for an hour on Monday evening, managed a 35, which admittedly is nothing to write home about... except it was a well executed 35 after years of absence. Like many runs, ended when I got out of line to break up the cluster.
After the long layoff, I find that I actually think I have it in me to surpass my prior peak.
Who knows, but it will be fun trying.