Your bridge hand is your weak hand (the left hand of right-handed people) and is used to guide the tip of your pool cue to hit the cue ball. There are several types of bridges, and whatever works best for you is what you should use.
Open Bridge
1. Make a fist with your noncue hand, with your knuckles facing down.
2. Place your knuckles on the table, 5 to 10 inches from the cue ball.
3. Lift up your thumb slightly and press it against the side of your hand.
4. Lay the shaft of your cue in the crease formed by your thumb and the side of your hand.
5. Slide the cue back and forth in the crease to make sure it slides smoothly.
Closed Bridge
1. Make a fist with your noncue hand.
2. Place your knuckles down on the table, 5 to 10 inches from the cue ball.
3. Raise your thumb up and press it against the side of your hand.
4. Lay the shaft of your cue in the crease formed between your thumb and the side of your hand.
5. Curl your forefinger over the shaft of your cue and rest your finger on your thumb.
6. Spread the knuckles of your remaining three fingers on the table for better support. Rest the heel of your hand on the table as well.
7. Slide the shaft back and forth through the ring you've made with your fingers to make sure the cue slides smoothly.
Rail
1. Place all four fingers of your bridge hand flat on the side of the table so that your knuckles are over the outside edge of the table.
2. Lift your thumb so that the lower half of it presses against the inside of your hand and the outside edge of your thumb joint rests on the rail.
3. Rest the cue in the crease formed between your thumb and forefinger.
4. Slide the cue on the bridge to make sure it slides smoothly.
