Holding a pool stick correctly is essential for accurate and powerful shots. The most common grip is the “closed bridge,” in which the player’s thumb and forefinger form a bridge over the cue stick, and the other three fingers wrap around the stick below the bridge. The bridge hand should be placed on the table about shoulder-width apart, with the elbow directly below the bridge. The shooting hand should grip the stick lightly, with the thumb on top of the stick and the fingers curled underneath. The cue should be held parallel to the table, with the tip of the stick pointing directly at the cue ball.
There are several variations of the closed bridge grip, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Some players prefer to use a “rail bridge,” in which the bridge hand is placed on the rail of the table instead of on the cloth. This grip provides more stability, but it can be more difficult to control the cue ball. Other players use an “open bridge,” in which the thumb and forefinger do not form a bridge over the cue stick. This grip allows for more freedom of movement, but it can be more difficult to keep the cue stick steady.
