Top 10 Reasons to Use an Open Bridge

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a new video that explains and demonstrates all advantages of an open bridge. Check it out:

Contents (with timestamp links):
0:00 – Intro
1:00 – 1: Easy to Learn
1:50 – 2: Stable
2:24 – 3: Unobscured View
3:02 – 4: Accurate “V” Guide
3:29 – 5: Centered
4:17 – 6: Low Resistance
4:57 – 7: Versatile
5:37 – 8: More Reach
5:49 – 9: Accurate Pivots
6:31 – 10: Reveals Stroke Flaws
7:47 – Minor Disadvantages
8:33 – Wrap Up

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

 

[measureman]

I use an open bridge on all shots except power shots.
I feel for me an open bridge gives me more feel and "touch".
On power shots I feel a closed bridge is more stable.
This is just my personal opinion,might not be right for others.

 

[Rocket354]

Great video, as always. I started with an open bridge as a teenager, then progressed to the point I was using a closed bridge almost exclusively, other than jacked up shots (draw shooting away from the rail, jump shots, over a ball, etc). Just the past 6 months or so I've been transitioning back to an open bridge. I'm currently about 50/50 but the open-bridge frequency might keep going up. My favorite aspect of the open bridge is the unobscured view, which I think was affecting my accuracy.

 

[dr_dave]

I use an open bridge on all shots except power shots.
I feel for me an open bridge gives me more feel and "touch".
On power shots I feel a closed bridge is more stable.
This is just my personal opinion, might not be right for others.

I personally think an open bridge can be more stable (stiffer, less flesh), but I can see how others might like how secure a closed bridge might feel.

 

[dr_dave]

Great video, as always. I started with an open bridge as a teenager, then progressed to the point I was using a closed bridge almost exclusively, other than jacked up shots (draw shooting away from the rail, jump shots, over a ball, etc). Just the past 6 months or so I've been transitioning back to an open bridge. I'm currently about 50/50 but the open-bridge frequency might keep going up. My favorite aspect of the open bridge is the unobscured view, which I think was affecting my accuracy.

The "unobscured view" is definitely the biggest advantage, especially with a low stance and for long shots.

 

[dr_dave]

FYI, I just posted a new video that explains and demonstrates all advantages of an open bridge. Check it out:

Contents (with timestamp links):
0:00 – Intro
1:00 – 1: Easy to Learn
1:50 – 2: Stable
2:24 – 3: Unobscured View
3:02 – 4: Accurate “V” Guide
3:29 – 5: Centered
4:17 – 6: Low Resistance
4:57 – 7: Versatile
5:37 – 8: More Reach
5:49 – 9: Accurate Pivots
6:31 – 10: Reveals Stroke Flaws
7:47 – Minor Disadvantages
8:33 – Wrap Up

As always, I look forward to your feedback, comments, questions, complaints, and requests.

Enjoy!

I should have also included:
11: Works Well For Any Shaft Diameter

... but that would have been 11, which doesn't sound as good as 10!

 

[DynoDan]

I personally think an open bridge can be more stable (stiffer, less flesh), but I can see how others might like how secure a closed bridge might feel.

My problem using an open bridge on ‘power shots: While it may not affect the CB differently, the shaft often gets away and fouls adjoining OBs.

 

[dr_dave]

My problem using an open bridge on ‘power shots: While it may not affect the CB differently, the shaft often gets away and fouls adjoining OBs.

Good point. This can be an issue, especially with power shots with sidespin, and especially if the "V" is not very deep. I thought of including an example of this in the "Minor Disadvantages" section, but the video was already getting too long (and the video was more about advantages).

 

[The_JV]

My problem using an open bridge on ‘power shots: While it may not affect the CB differently, the shaft often gets away and fouls adjoining OBs.

Good point. This can be an issue, especially with power shots with sidespin, and especially if the "V" is not very deep.

Being rooted in snooker myself my other points of direct contact on the cue prevent this problem. Both my chest and chin are holding the cue down as I'm shooting.

 

[dr_dave]

Being rooted in snooker myself my other points of direct contact on the cue prevent this problem. Both my chest and chin are holding the cue down as I'm shooting.

Good point. Thanks for the info.

 

[DynoDan]

Being rooted in snooker myself my other points of direct contact on the cue prevent this problem. Both my chest and chin are holding the cue down as I'm shooting.

I’ll have to try that, though us older guys may prefer a more comfortable/upright stance & old-school bridge when loading-up the stroke.
Interesting issue. Which is likely more restrictive: Friction from chin/chest, or added fingers? Lower ‘line-of-sight‘ may improve accuracy, but distress/distraction from arthritic spine may cancel.

 

[Fatboy]

What ever work best for any given circumstance is the bridge I’m using. So I learned them all. That’s being a complete player.

 

[dr_dave]

What ever work best for any given circumstance is the bridge I’m using. So I learned them all. That’s being a complete player.

Agreed. One must have a solid arsenal of bridges to handle various situations, but the focus of this video is normal shots (most pool shots), where there is a choice.

 

[buckshotshoey]

The "unobscured view" is definitely the biggest advantage, especially with a low stance and for long shots.

I think you just hit on the reason why players of yesteryear did not use an open Bridge. They had a much taller stance then players of today, and we're not sighting down the cue per se.

 

[dr_dave]

I think you just hit on the reason why players of yesteryear did not use an open Bridge. They had a much taller stance then players of today, and we're not sighting down the cue per se.

Agreed. Several of the advantages of an open bridge and advantages of a low stance go hand in hand.

 

[garczar]

I think you just hit on the reason why players of yesteryear did not use an open Bridge. They had a much taller stance then players of today, and we're not sighting down the cue per se.

A lot of people read Mosconi's book and thought if you didn't emulate Willie
you were a sap. He rarely used an open bridge.

 

[dr_dave]

A lot of people read Mosconi's book and thought if you didn't emulate Willie
you were a sap. He rarely used an open bridge.

Agreed. It takes a long time to overcome powerful examples set like this.

 

[Fatboy]

21 oz cues, mud balls, slow cloth. All adds up to a different world than today. Don’t need a slip stroke to move the rock.

 

[dr_dave]

21 oz cues, mud balls, slow cloth. All adds up to a different world than today. Don’t need a slip stroke to move the rock.

... and carbon fiber solves all the world's problems.

 

[Fatboy]

... and carbon fiber solves all the world's problems.

I haven’t hit a ball with a CF shaft yet. When I do the world will be perfect