Tips from a pro....

[John Brumback]

Interesting issue, perhaps I think pretty similar, but to fully understand what you mean: can you describe more detailed how you define a good bridge?

I would but I don't type fast enough,lol. I'll be back this evening and try to expand on it some more. Thanks for the request John B.

 

[LuckyStroke]

Yes,I'm sorry to say that short fingers are harder to make a good closed bridge. But you can shoot great pool with an open bridge.Just have to practice alot on keeping the cue from flying up off of your bridge hand,which is a good thing to practice anyway,imo. John B.

PS: even if you can't make a good closed bridge..try to make a good solid,fingers spread out,open bridge.It will improve your pool game.

Thanks, I've adapted. I am able to make a good solid closed bridge. I had my shaft turned down until if felt the most comfortable so it's at 12.5-12.6 and that helped out quite a bit.

 

[kollegedave]

Bridge Hand

I have been making some adjustments to my bridge hand based on Mark Wilson's book and watching the stronger players at Olathe, KS last week.

What I have noticed, and is illustrated by the pictures of Efren earlier in the thread, is that many top players find the ability to rest their pointer finger on top of, AND NOT BESIDE, the middle finger. I have attached a picture of someone closing their bridge BESIDE the pointer finger.

I wonder if the distinction I have highlighted here is something that Mr. Brumback views of as important?

kollegedave

 

[SmoothStroke]

I heard from a few people that Pro players stay off this website because of all the arguing and different Opinions of NoBody's...

Here you have a Very accomplished player that is being nice enough to offer some valuable info. And you have 2 pages of people disagreeing. CRAZY!!

If it don't help that's fine because there may be 1000 that it does help.

I also think there are nobody's on this site, that are, and could be more knowledgable than the pro players you speak of. Some play lights out and chose a different path in life, so don't be fooled. There are also others that just love to argue, miserable bastids if you ask me.

I read everything and form my own opinion( I am OCD and can analyze things to a fault)

I would read anything and everything John Brumback had to say.
With all due respect the importence of the bridge is no secret, many top players use an open bridge, which is the best for sighting.

I think it's more important to establish your bridge when you are about to drop in,, go from zero bridge to 100,when you drop in the bridge is established 100%, with little or no adjustment needed.

What do I know, I am probably a Nobody, I am not argueing, just adding my opinion, and we all know what opinions are worth.
With some luck John will explain all the different bridges, the how and why to use them, secrets to establish them, how to maintain them.

 

[justadub]

Thank you for posting John. About the subject, and just participating in general. It IS appreciated.

It is a great reminder, and gives me motivation on what to work on next. (Out of many, many necessary things to work on!)

 

[JC]

I heard from a few people that Pro players stay off this website because of all the arguing and different Opinions of NoBody's...

Here you have a Very accomplished player that is being nice enough to offer some valuable info. And you have 2 pages of people disagreeing. CRAZY!!

If it don't help that's fine because there may be 1000 that it does help.

I don't read where anyone is challenging the wisdom of the original poster. Not sure what thread you're reading.

Excellent point Mr. Brumback. Thank you for the reminder.

 

[AngryTurtle]

Additional Bridge question

One thing I have noticed watching some 3 Cushion Billiards matches on youtube is that one of the famous Billiards players ( not sure which one, just starting to find out more about 3C) pulls the cue all the way back into his bridge hand so that the tip is actually coming out the back side of his closed bridge! Is this normal? Only him? All 3C players do it this way? I have never seen that before ,and its not the way I do it.

 

[TCo]

I do not believe my opinion is junk at all and to say their bridge is non existent is ludicrous. Unless they are playing one handed without using the rails.

The bridge is one of the first things to look at when studying an unknown opponents ability but not the only thing. There are also many great players and hustlers that hide their ability by attempting to mask their abilities. By studying their bridge hand and other table manners it will become obvious what their actual ability is. If it is consistent and solid (it does not have to be pretty) you can be reasonably sure the person has some knowledge of the game. If it's sloppy and inconsistent you'll see the results soon enough.. All good players possess a solid and consistent bridge that they have developed over years of hard work and dedication it does not matter if it's open or closed. JMO!

I think 4 out of 5 dentists that read your original post understand that it likely wasn't your exclusive way of predicting the speed of a player. I happen to agree, you can tell a lot about a man or woman by looking at their bridge.

I personally appreciate the OPP - (extra P is for PROFESSIONAL) Its nice to hear someone at that level remind those of us NOT at that level to remember the importance of anything.

 

[Banks]

If it's anything near as good as the tip on how to beat the double-kiss on a cross corner, I suppose I'll have to try it. :thumbup:

 

[John Brumback]

I have been making some adjustments to my bridge hand based on Mark Wilson's book and watching the stronger players at Olathe, KS last week.

What I have noticed, and is illustrated by the pictures of Efren earlier in the thread, is that many top players find the ability to rest their pointer finger on top of, AND NOT BESIDE, the middle finger. I have attached a picture of someone closing their bridge BESIDE the pointer finger.

I wonder if the distinction I have highlighted here is something that Mr. Brumback views of as important?

kollegedave

I'm not sure I understand your ? But I would like to use this pic as an example if you don't mind. Maybe it will have something to do with what you are referring to.

I don't like this bridge at all. It's too tight. A normal size shaft couldn't go back very far during the back stroke. I don't see how you could have a good follow through with it either. This bridge would only be good for a draw shot and not a very good one,at that,imo. Can anyone out there imagine following the cball with that bridge??? That's one example of using the wrong bridge for the shot at hand. Similar to the wrong bridge Lou tried to use against me at the dcc but not that bad. I see it alot with players I work with.. trying to use what I would call a draw bridge and try to follow the cball with it. You cannot play great pool like that imo. Thanks,John B. Yeah it's too hot to mow,lol

 

[nine_ball6970]

One thing I have noticed watching some 3 Cushion Billiards matches on youtube is that one of the famous Billiards players ( not sure which one, just starting to find out more about 3C) pulls the cue all the way back into his bridge hand so that the tip is actually coming out the back side of his closed bridge! Is this normal? Only him? All 3C players do it this way? I have never seen that before ,and its not the way I do it.

Bustamante does it fairly often as well.

 

[John Brumback]

Bustamante does it fairly often as well.

I was thinking the same thing,just didn't want to have to type his name,haha. I used to stroke like that too and could do some amazing things like that. I think I just got tired of all the chalk on my bridge fingers,I like to keep my hands clean.I don't use powder if I don't have to. I'm not sure that it really helps but I have seen some top champions do it over the years.I've played Busty quite a few times over the years at the dcc,so I've seen it up close too,lol I've actually watched his tip bounce over the rail ( where the cloth goes into the rail) as he shoots and I don't have to tell ya that it does not bother his stroke one bit.He's the loosest playing player I have ever seen. John B.

 

[Bob Jewett]

... I have attached a picture of someone closing their bridge BESIDE the pointer finger. ...

The picture is pretty close to Mosconi's draw bridge. The thumb holds the end of the index finger against the middle finger.

As for judging a player by his bridge, if I had only his bridge to judge by, I'd give Bobby Chamberlain 60 on 100 at 14.1. That would be a mistake for me.

I agree with John B. in that most players need to put a lot more thought and effort into their bridge work. Without a good bridge practice time will ingrain bad habits and compensating patches.

 

[kollegedave]

I'm not sure I understand your ? But I would like to use this pic as an example if you don't mind. Maybe it will have something to do with what you are referring to.

I don't like this bridge at all. It's too tight. A normal size shaft couldn't go back very far during the back stroke. I don't see how you could have a good follow through with it either. This bridge would only be good for a draw shot and not a very good one,at that,imo. Can anyone out there imagine following the cball with that bridge??? That's one example of using the wrong bridge for the shot at hand. Similar to the wrong bridge Lou tried to use against me at the dcc but not that bad. I see it alot with players I work with.. trying to use what I would call a draw bridge and try to follow the cball with it. You cannot play great pool like that imo. Thanks,John B. Yeah it's too hot to mow,lol

John, thanks for taking the time to respond to my question.

In the pictures of Efren that were posted, please look at the pointer finger of Efren; to me it appears as though the pointer finger sits on top of the middle finger and the thumb comes alongside, whereas in my picture, it looked like the "amateur looking" player pinched his pointer finger and thumb together and just "set" them beside his pointer finger. I have attached a picture of Thorsten Hohman making what I think is an ideal closed bridge, and maybe you could give it your seal of approval or suggest what improvements should be made?

kollegedave

 

[CJ Wiley]

Players are working to improve, because nothing in the universe stays "as is"

Even Tiger Woods after becoming the best player on the planet changed his grip on the golf club after Hank Haney showed him a superior version.....and he played even better within a few weeks.

The biggest room for immediate improvement are in the hands and feet......even the greatest players are always working to improve, because nothing in the universe stays "as is"....everything is in a constant state of change.

This naturally means in you aren't getting better, you're going to get worse........and the best students listen to this wisely. 'The Game is the Teacher'

This is amazing when one realizes that even the most advanced professionals are constantly working on stance, bridge, grip, aim, and stroke and always looking to refine and improve them. Buddy Hall once said that his greatest improvement came from a small change in his bridge that he discovered in a dream.

Quoted from Bob Henning..... I think someone may be able to tell the whole story and where it was published........

 

[ghost ball]

I remember in an interview with Tang Hoa, back when he was killing it, about bridges and how he used to practice them outside of the pool hall. That simple comment made me look deep into bridges. IMO, it is just one of the fundamentals an aspiring player needs to master to get to the next level.

 

[Quesports]

Ive shot around with Quesports and he's getting long in the tooth now, If I may, but I can tell you he definitely has some speed. He's not blowing smoke. Im sure with some young eyes he would be a threat to most.

Long in the tooth!!! Young Eyes.. Ai Carumba John, you got me one foot in the grave buddy!!!

WTF I am still ready for ya anytime!!

Keep in touch and well hit some soon!!

 

[Zphix]

Ironically enough,

I was thinking about this quite deeply for the last few days because my bridge isn't as solid as I'd like it to be.

I notice the effect quite alot when I've gotta use draw with a more powerful stroke - so yeah, my bridge needs some help.

Sent from my X501_USA_Cricket using Tapatalk 2

 

[lfigueroa]

Good deal Lou! I shouldn't have said that you "dogged" that shot..you just used the wrong bridge. Sorry I said it that way,bro John B.

No woes, John. I know when I dog it and I knew that wasn't the case on that shot. Just didn't play good that match. It happens.

Lou Figueroa

 

[lfigueroa]

Sorry i have to ask, any re-match on the horizon with the case man !! it will be interesting!

naji, that's like asking: are you planning another train wreck soon.

Lou Figueroa
nobody expects
the Spanish Inquisition