Top Snooker players with a closed bridge?
- Thread starter Pangit
- Start date
Some older snooker books recommend the "loop" (closed) bridge for screw (draw) shots, and I think I've seen one or two current pros do that but they are a tiny minority. More common is to use some kind of closed bridge on the rail.
You might get more answers in the snooker forum.
FOr those interested, the reasons why practically all snooker players and many pool players use an open bridge on most shots can be found on the open bridge vs. closed budge resource page.
Enjoy,
Dave
Enjoy,
Dave
Ronnie O'Sullivan use it a little back in the 00's. He doesn't much anymore, but he still pulls it out occasionally.
Alex Higgins would use it from time to time, I think, on some draw shots. You may also see players use a closed bridge occasionally when cueing along the rail.
Most players, however, stick with variations on the open bridge. Personally, I go many months without using a looped bridge. It's largely due to the awkwardness of creating a looped bridge with such a thin shaft.
Alex Higgins would use it from time to time, I think, on some draw shots. You may also see players use a closed bridge occasionally when cueing along the rail.
Most players, however, stick with variations on the open bridge. Personally, I go many months without using a looped bridge. It's largely due to the awkwardness of creating a looped bridge with such a thin shaft.
It's because of the taper of their cues- straight conical taper - that makes a closed bridge impractical.
Carom players often have the same issue since the taper of many carom cues is close to conical. Their solution is often to wear gloves.
Not since George Chenier or Paul Thornley.
There are a couple of names I have not heard for awhile....although one may be be a member here.
I have a bridge so open that BCA instructors have told me that it is "the most open bridge ever".
Pangit
Banned
UHHHH??? What about the millions of Carom players worldwide?
Not to mention the millions of pool hall players who played almost exclusively with house cues
prior to the 1960s.
Dale
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OK. For today, but gloves have only become common recently.
Not sure if I understand how a glove would help with a taper other than the cue
might slide more easily.
We all value your input. Could you explain your thoughts please?
Also, why do you think the Snooker players have ignored gloves?
Not trying to hi-jack this into a glove thread - perhaps this should be a separate
discussion.
Dale
It lets the cue slide more easily (and consistently). That, as noted above, can be a problem with a conical taper and a closed bridge. I think there is nothing complicated here.
I think I've seen a snooker player with a glove and an open bridge. Under humid conditions and/or a not-so-clean cue, even an open bridge can be bothersome, but there is little advantage to a glove with an open bridge.
First of all, who of you have played a strict canonical taper?
While it does work with a closed bridge, it doesn't work effortlessly, as the thickness rises quickly. No fun without a glove, at all.
But it works beautifully with an open bridge, much more consistent and accurate that an pro taper with an open one. No more hopping about, just plain and straight through your aiming line.
Second, I always play with a glove and always play an open bridge.
It does have advantages, for example, after 2,5hours of constant playing it doesn't rub on you skin.
Your cue stays much more clean, the glove even collects the chalk dust and doesn't rub it into the wood.
You basically do not care about the weather or anything, even not really about the finish of your shaft - it just slides consistently.
So yes, a glove is always more comfortable and you dont need to think anymore. All that for 5$ (Cuetec) - I'd say it's a win!
I think for Snooker players it's about looks and tradition.
And as you can see they rub down their hands and shafts quite regularly and heavily.
Cheers,
M
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I might see one of them next weekend, if I can make the tournament. Glad someone else remebers, although I never got to see Chenier play I've heard a bunch of stories. Enjoy that open bridge :thumbup:
In his book, "Snooker Skills", he shows only open bridges except for when you are in very awkward positions with the cue ball near the cushion.
This https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PE0n_7i_VLE shows quite a few examples of Cliff using closed bridges on the rail but none in the open sea.
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