What is it with bridges and pool players?

Tin Man said:
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.
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I guarantee you I never said using the bridge was a bad thing. As long as the player knows how to use it, the bridge is a valuable tool. Of course being able to switch hands may be even more valuable. Keith, Buddy, Sigel, Wade Crane; all were very good with either hand.
 
jay helfert said:
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.
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Thanks Jay, this shot from Dennis actually inspired me to write the post and is a perfect example of why I asked the question. The shot was of huge importance and I was completely confused that a player of his calibre didn't just pull the rest out and play the higher percentage.
 
Black-Balled said:
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.
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I believe it comes down to the players confidence in using the implement rather than practicality or rational.
 
Black-Balled said:
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.
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I just edited the wording in my response to include a few more puns :-) I was not questioning the intellect of the players also for Tinman to state that 'Rarely does he see pro players stretch for a shot and not get the desired outcome. So what's the issue?' I thought was a little unrealistic because it happens all of the time where players fall short of the perfect outcome..

I come from a snooker background and then was a journeyman professional pool player around Asia and Europe for many years and have seen top players overstretching regularly to their detriment. This of course baffles me from a snooker perspective, hence the question. When we learnt to play we were taught every aspect of the game and how to master each piece of equipment, why weren't the pool players?

Thus, I was questioning reasons the rest is avoided such as work ethic and laziness etc . I wasn't questioning their IQ :-)
 
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we grew up climbing on the table
gambling matches
but later the bridge became mandatory

i once beat Vernon elliot becuse he was totally helpless with the bridge

miscue and miss ball

of course i was getting two hit and the pick
or break and pick two,8 to 6

a lot of weight but not nearly enough had he not played so poorly with the bridge

I hate the thing myself

my cue is 68 inches long and that helps
 
Johnnyt said:
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
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Yes that is true and also how I was taught in snooker and it doesn't take a lot of effort to become fluent at mastering the tool. Hence my questioning mental blocks etc.
 
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