Using the mechanical bridge - should it be banned?

ultramafic said:
Well, I guess that is really the crux of the "issue" I am raising. As has been pointed out, using the bridge is a skill (which takes time to learn). It seems that shooting off-handed is another skill, quite valuable I might add, and I'm just surprised that people would rather take the time to learn how to use the bridge, rather than simply taking the time to shoot off-handed. With the ability to shoot well "either way", the number of shots that truly "require" a bridge are few and far between (snooker tables aside).

In the case of that 3 ball - shooting it left-handed is a trivial shot that causes no loss of "rhythm" - you plunk it in and move on. Getting out a bridge and lining it up, and hoping you don't accidentally bump something with it, making the shot, then putting the bridge away....just seems like such a big production and unnecessary interruption to one's game.
Click to expand...

And that settles it. You're no good with the bridge. Neil was right all along. That's why you don't like it. It takes all of five seconds to pick up the bridge and get yourself aligned with it, and it takes all of two more seconds to put it back under the table. The real loss of "rhythm," as you put it, is missing that three ball, which I would almost surely do left handed.
 
I've been around this forum for quite awhile now and I've seen some posts that should have just gone away as soon as they were posted. This is one that belongs with them. Banning the bridge? That's one of the dumbest F'in things I've ever heard.
MULLY
and short fat people usually don't run in foot races so that point is out the window
 
ultramafic said:
Well, I guess that is really the crux of the "issue" I am raising. As has been pointed out, using the bridge is a skill (which takes time to learn). It seems that shooting off-handed is another skill, quite valuable I might add, and I'm just surprised that people would rather take the time to learn how to use the bridge, rather than simply taking the time to shoot off-handed.
Click to expand...

That's a perfectly valid, reasonable thing to believe. You just expressed it in the most trollish way possible :)

I've been saying the same thing, and I can run racks with my off hand. But there are still shots where neither hand can reach. So I wouldn't dream of banning the bridge.

Ambidexterity is of little use here:

CueTable Help

 
ultramafic said:
For purposes of this conversation, I am talking about playing on a 9' or smaller table. Please keep that in mind.
Click to expand...

Why limit the table size. No bridges on any tables. I'm 6'5" and can reach most of the way across even 9' tables and still have a foot on the ground. This rule would be a huge advantage to me against shorter players. I don't like it. The bridge takes away most of the inequity presented by differences in height making it a game of the mind and skills rather than genetics. You need to learn how to play better safes that can't be helped by a bridge the same way people need to adapt by the rise of the jump cue. Although the same logic doesn't go the reverse direction. The jump cue is a new invention whereas the bridge has been around for at least 100 years. I can see the jump cue being banned where the bridge is and always will be a part of the game.

Bridges being a crutch or for girls is a fallacy of the banger. I hate seeing it perpetuated along with all the other banger BS.
 
Beer:30 said:
Why limit the table size. No bridges on any tables. I'm 6'5" and can reach most of the way across even 9' tables and still have a foot on the ground. This rule would be a huge advantage to me against shorter players. I don't like it. The bridge takes away most of the inequity presented by differences in height making it a game of the mind and skills rather than genetics. You need to learn how to play better safes that can't be helped by a bridge the same way people need to adapt by the rise of the jump cue. Although the same logic doesn't go the reverse direction. The jump cue is a new invention whereas the bridge has been around for at least 100 years. I can see the jump cue being banned where the bridge is and always will be a part of the game.

Bridges being a crutch or for girls is a fallacy of the banger. I hate seeing it perpetuated along with all the other banger BS.
Click to expand...

I'd bet lunch at my favorite pool hall that this idea got started around a barbox in a tavern somewhere after numerous alcoholic beverages had been consumed.

I know of a guy who used to hustle in bars and part of his act to convince everybody he was a complete novice was using the bridge on about half of his shots. D players couldn't wait to get their money out.

It can be profitable to become proficient with the crutch.
 
alstl said:
I'd bet lunch at my favorite pool hall that this idea got started around a barbox in a tavern somewhere after numerous alcoholic beverages had been consumed.

I know of a guy who used to hustle in bars and part of his act to convince everybody he was a complete novice was using the bridge on about half of his shots. D players couldn't wait to get their money out.

It can be profitable to become proficient with the crutch.
Click to expand...

I bet you're not far off. I've actually played guys with the bridge, instead of a cue. You really don't have many options for playing position because the metal bridge head doesn't really apply that much spin. You usually end up with some upset players after they lose to a guy playing with a bridge.
 
Knoxville...late 60's
There was a bank player who was missing most of his left arm.
He tucked the bridge handle into his left armpit.
He could run 8'n'out once in a while.
I think he appreciated that bridges were legal.

Mind you,in the home of the 'Bear',it seemed everybody
could bank 8 'n' out.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top