Pool Bridge Hand: 3 Easy Bridges for Beginners

Your bridge hand is the hand in front that holds and guides the cue. If you are right handed, it is your left hand. If you are left handed, it is your right hand. A solid bridge is a big part of how to hold a pool cue the right way.

In this post, I will show you three bridges: the open bridge, the closed tripod bridge, and the rail bridge.

Bridge 1: The Open Bridge

The open bridge is the easiest one to learn.

  1. Lay your hand flat on the table.
  2. Lift your thumb up next to your first finger to make a channel.
  3. Rest the cue in the V between your thumb and finger.

The open bridge is fine when you are just shooting balls in. For me, it does not give a lot of control when I need to draw the ball or use a lot of follow. That is when I switch to the closed bridge.

The open bridge also helps when a ball is in front of you. You may need to lift your hand up a little. Still try to keep the cue as level as you can.

Bridge 2: The Closed Tripod Bridge

This is the bridge I like best and use the most.

  1. Start with your hand on the table.
  2. Wrap your first finger and thumb together to make a loop.
  3. Tuck your middle finger under.
  4. Slide the cue through the loop.

You can move this bridge up or down. Raise it to hit high on the cue ball. Flatten it to hit low. Keep it in the middle to hit the center of the cue ball.

In this video, I show the open bridge, the tripod bridge, and the rail bridge.

Bridge 3: The Rail Bridge

When the cue ball is near the rail, you can not put your whole hand on the table. Here is a simple rail bridge:

  1. Put your hand on the rail.
  2. Put your thumb next to your first finger.
  3. Move your fingers over so the cue rests on the rail between them.

Sometimes you have to make it up as you go. That is part of the game.

Which Bridge Should You Use?

  • Open bridge: easy shots, and shots where a ball is in your way.
  • Closed tripod bridge: draw, follow, and shots that need more control.
  • Rail bridge: when the cue ball is close to the rail.

Bridge and Grip Work Together

Your bridge hand guides the cue. Your grip hand moves it. You need both to shoot straight. Learn the back hand on our how to hold a pool cue page.

Before you set your bridge, go through the same steps on every shot. Our pre shot routine page shows you how.

Want Free Training?

Get my free pool drills and fundamentals training by email. Just sign up on our pool tips page.

Play Smarter 8 Ball

Good basics help you make balls. My book 8 Ball Winning Strategies shows you how to plan a rack and win more 8 ball games. Learn more on the 8 Ball Winning Strategies page.