What is it with bridges and pool players?

[HaroldWilson]

I watch a lot of pool on youtube and regularly see top professional players over stretching to play very important often vital shots and seem to avoid using the bridge at all costs often to their detriment. I also hear commentators say oh the player has to use the bridge now which could stop their run etc.

But hang on, the bridge is there to stop players over stretching and playing low percentage shots so surely the top players would have thought about spending the time to learn how to use one properly due to the massive importance of the tool? Is this just pure laziness, like someone moving to a new country and not bothering to learn the language properly or do these players have some sort of mental block?

 

[RichSchultz]

pros seem to have become more and more adept at lengthening the distance between their bridgehand and cueball....often bridging near the joint. weird!

 

[jay helfert]

They are all using extensions now, except for most of the Filipinos, who prefer the bridge. They learn to use the bridge early on, a necessity when you're diminutive in size. The other players who are adapt with bridges are the East Coast 14.1 players. They also learn to use the bridge from the start because it is often required in this game. You better be real good with the bridge when you are reaching down table to play a safe on the cue ball resting against the pack. :wink:

 

[measureman]

They are all using extensions now, except for most of the Filipinos, who prefer the bridge. They learn to use the bridge early on, a necessity when you're diminutive in size. The bridges are the East Coast 14.1 playersother players who are adapt with . They also learn to use the bridge from the start because it is often required in this game. You better be real good with the bridge when you are reaching down table to play a safe on the cue ball resting against the pack. :wink:

I grew up with pool in the 60's.
Straight pool was the main game in the NJ-New York-Philly area.
It requires that you use the bridge quite often.
Sometimes one on top of the other to reach a shot.
Todays younger players may have never played straight pool so they are uncomfortable using the bridge.
Straight pool teaches all the skills needed for every other game.

 

[us820]

And snooker players,like Allison when she came over to nine ball used it a bunch to great advantage.

 

[Johnny Rosato]

I watch a lot of pool on youtube and regularly see top professional players over stretching to play very important often vital shots and seem to avoid using the bridge at all costs often to their detriment. I also hear commentators say oh the player has to use the bridge now which could stop their run etc.

But hang on, the bridge is there to stop players over stretching and playing low percentage shots so surely the top players would have thought about spending the time to learn how to use one properly due to the massive importance of the tool? Is this just pure laziness, like someone moving to a new country and not bothering to learn the language properly or do these players have some sort of mental block?

I didn't want to rub my shafts on metal or hard plastic house bridges. I solved the problem a few year ago with the Kamui leather bridge head, (the only Kamui product I use).

 

[O'SulliReyes]

Using the bridge effectively is an essential skill which, unfortunately, most pool players do not really work on, in contrast to snooker players who put some considerable time into mastering bridge play. But then again, pool players don't really have to be as good with the bridge as the snooker players because a pool table is much smaller and therefore it is easier to reach certain shots which may require a bridge on a snooker table.

If you ask me, a beginner player should start learning how to use the bridge as soon as he/she has reached a reasonable standard of potting and has acquired decent mechanics. Here's a video of Steve Davis explaining the proper way of using a bridge: https://youtu.be/2U9C4x0IggY?t=111. Here's Shaun Murphy, in my opinion the best bridge player in the world today, giving some tips on how to use it: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wM7HutaD16A

Also, just want to share some videos featuring good rest play:
https://youtu.be/C9-HUgrGvzg?t=12020 - Marco Fu's bridge shot at the 2017 World Championship
https://youtu.be/DbHiPqR6QxE?t=1126 - Stephen Hendry vs Steve Davis at the 1990 UK Championship
https://youtu.be/8KN2tAhXxJo?t=6798 - Ronnie O'Sullivan vs Stuart Bingham at the 2016 Masters
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TTuM4SwyJy0 - Jimmy White and Ronnie O'Sullivan demonstrates good rest play at the 2016 German Masters
https://youtu.be/qzp_Wr0CbG4?t=47 - Nick van den Berg's bridge jump shot at the Mosconi Cup

 

[ceebee]

Been using the Bridge when needed for 60 years, it don't bother me. A Snooker table is pretty long & I'm about 5'9". I use the vertical stroke, not the side arm stroke & sometimes I use the regular pendulum stroke & the bridge for making the ball.

We had some men thru Tulsa from Brazil. One of those men practiced playing entire games with a bridge.

 

[Tin Man]

what's the issue?

I have watched a lot of pro pool. Rarely do I see pro players stretch for a shot and not get the desired outcome. So what's the issue?

It's like shooting behind the back, or shooting left handed. Just different ways to overcome the challenge of the reach.

I am about 5'7" and have a tremendous reach. I'm fine with the bridge if I need it, but I'd prefer a stretch even if that means my bridge hand is near the joint of my cue. I am very comfortable with this.

I guess I just don't understand this post. I think it comes from the idea that "if they were smart they'd learn to round out their skills", but that makes a big assumption that they haven't already done this, tested this in battle, and continue with what works best for them. Most pros have dedicated their lives to this game and that's not giving them much credit. So my response would be, maybe you all should work on your stretch since that's clearly the preferred method by most top players.

 

[HaroldWilson]

I have watched a lot of pro pool. Rarely do I see pro players stretch for a shot and not get the desired outcome. So what's the issue?

It's like shooting behind the back, or shooting left handed. Just different ways to overcome the challenge of the reach.

I am about 5'7" and have a tremendous reach. I'm fine with the bridge if I need it, but I'd prefer a stretch even if that means my bridge hand is near the joint of my cue. I am very comfortable with this.

I guess I just don't understand this post. I think it comes from the idea that "if they were smart they'd learn to round out their skills", but that makes a big assumption that they haven't already done this, tested this in battle, and continue with what works best for them. Most pros have dedicated their lives to this game and that's not giving them much credit. So my response would be, maybe you all should work on your stretch since that's clearly the preferred method by most top players.

The question was more directed to those who can understand the post. You have made your own assumptions and then had an argument with yourself I think you could use a rest and try not to burn to many bridges ;-)

 

[Black-Balled]

I say you
http://forums.azbilliards.com/showthread.php?p=3534673

 

[Black-Balled]

The question was more directed to those who can understand the post. You have made your own assumptions and then had an argument with yourself I would take a rest ☺ and try not to burn to many bridges.

I see you edited, so maybe the context of the post to which you responsed and the current response is lost...

I think what the tin man is saying is that on those shots where you see the people stretching, who are we- as non shooter of the shot- to say the shooter did not consider all his options and choose the best?

Isn't it possible that a shooter believes he will reduce chances of error more by stretching than with the bridge, on some shots.

 

[pdcue]

I watch a lot of pool on youtube and regularly see top professional players over stretching to play very important often vital shots and seem to avoid using the bridge at all costs often to their detriment. I also hear commentators say oh the player has to use the bridge now which could stop their run etc.

But hang on, the bridge is there to stop players over stretching and playing low percentage shots so surely the top players would have thought about spending the time to learn how to use one properly due to the massive importance of the tool? Is this just pure laziness, like someone moving to a new country and not bothering to learn the language properly or do these players have some sort of mental block?

Because using the bridge is "unmanly", it would seem. Almost a bad as
following all the rules.
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I think it is just as simple as they didn't learn to use it early.
Pool players aren't exactly known for their work ethic now are they?


Dale

 

[jay helfert]

I remember one key shot late in the match where Dennis considered stretching for the shot or using the bridge. He had to really stretch in an uncomfortable position to reach it and he looked more comfortable with the bridge. He decided to stretch anyway and extended himself across the table and stayed down for a long time before firing and missing! It cost him the game.

In my experience, when a player has to stretch for a shot he better shoot quick when he gets down on it. The longer he tries to hold the stretch the harder the shot becomes. I don't think Dennis would have missed that shot with the bridge, so I am a little baffled by his choice there.

 

[Straightpool_99]

Many pool players suck at using the rest for the same reason why they suck at jumping...They were shown how to do it once 10 years ago, then never practised because "I know how to do it now". Then when the shot finally comes up, they miss it badly and swear never to use a rest again. So instead they are overstretching with an extension and flubbing shots (and especially position) badly. I wish I had 10 dollars for every time I saw a pool player overstretch and not get draw on the ball... If I got an additional 10 dollars for every jumpshot hanger that was missed by people who claim to know how to jump, I'd have a private island with it's own airfield, ok maybe that's a bit much, but I see it ALL the time.

Snooker players practise using the rest and can shoot pretty much any shot with it. Get lessons from your local snooker pro, if you want to properly learn rest play. If not, then shoot one game of 9 ball every time you play using the rest on every shot. That should at least help a little.

Many people don't know that certain shots can actually be easier to shoot with the rest (potting wise) if you have a decent technique, because you see the line so clearly from the rest position. Overstreching with an extension makes many shots harder, because any error in cueing is magnified by the long length of your bridge and the awkward stance. Draw shots are especially hard, because overstretching causes the cue to dip or swing upward, usually the latter. Also most of the finesse is removed from the shot, and replaced with poking. You can still stroke a ball properly with the rest, it's just a different stroke that needs pratice and maintainance like any other stroke.

 

[Johnnyt]

And snooker players,like Allison when she came over to nine ball used it a bunch to great advantage.

Allison told me to just shoot every shot with the bridge for a few racks of your practice routine each day for awhile. I thought that was very good advice. I grew up playing 14.1 in the 1950's and 60's in NY, but tried it anyhow. In a few weeks it became like normal using it again. Johnnyt

 

[MissippiBrock]

I'm no pro but I like to try and play left handed if I can, extension if I have to shoot from the end of the table. I quit using bridges when I noticed they marred up my shaft

 

[Tin Man]

The question was more directed to those who can understand the post. You have made your own assumptions and then had an argument with yourself I think you could use a rest and try not to burn to many bridges ;-)

Harold, I reread your original post a few times. Here it is:

I watch a lot of pool on youtube and regularly see top professional players over stretching to play very important often vital shots and seem to avoid using the bridge at all costs often to their detriment. I also hear commentators say oh the player has to use the bridge now which could stop their run etc.

But hang on, the bridge is there to stop players over stretching and playing low percentage shots so surely the top players would have thought about spending the time to learn how to use one properly due to the massive importance of the tool? Is this just pure laziness, like someone moving to a new country and not bothering to learn the language properly or do these players have some sort of mental block?

You're right, I don't understand your post. I read it as if you were saying that pro pool players didn't invest time to learn the bridge, then speculating that they were lazy or had a mental issue. This is the premise that I disagreed with.

Now I'm trying to grasp at another meaning. Maybe you were taking issue with commentators implying that pros were lazy or had mental issues and defending the pros (like I was)?

You're right, I'm confused. Either way, my first post stands on it's own feet. I think the pros are doing just fine with their approach to their game. Amateur players that do things differently than top pros might be wise to think they are the ones that could learn something, rather than the other way around.

 

[Jeff Rosen]

I didn't want to rub my shafts on metal or hard plastic house bridges. I solved the problem a few year ago with the Kamui leather bridge head, (the only Kamui product I use).

I know guys who grab a house cue when using a bridge for that very reason.

 

[Big Perm]

I'm no pro, but I did win $18 once after playing 5-10-15 for 12 hours straight.

The bridge is counter intuitive - different stance, grip, viewpoint.....personally struggle with touch and controlling the rock, feel more confident stretching or lefty......agree, likely practice will help, but practice would likely solve a lot of my more pending issues with pool.