Bridging difficulties...

[tommydale]

Good afternoon all.

So I'm 18 and slightly in love with pool. My team was in division 2 last year and came 8/12, but there's me on the individuals' rankings on 6th out of 166 people. Suffice to say, I was chuffed to bits with that.

I lost 4 games out of 20 because of my bridge. I have a slight disability which involves muscle wastage in my lower arms (and lower legs but that's irrelevant, hence brackets...). It means that my bridge collapses quite often due to the lack of muscle in my bridge hand - both actual strength and even the stamina; 5-10 seconds of my hand in a high bridge is enough to make my cramp up or just give out.

I lost 2 of my 4 games due to two 'serious fouls' - moving a ball with my hand when it collapsed. If I had have been able to bridge properly, I would have been top of the league! . But anyway, after aimlessly wandering the internet with no real purpose, I stumbled across the device contraption thing attached as a picture. I'm wondering if the bridging aid will actually be legal in many UK 8-ball leagues and tournaments...

2014-04-12 22.57.14.jpg 2014-04-12 22.57.15.jpg

Any advice would be welcomed greatly!

[old school]

I dont know for sure , but I assume it would be treated in much the same way as a cueing / breaking glove . You are not using it to gain an illegal advantage , nor is it an aiming method nor would it be classed as outside interference ( block of chalk or mark on side rail to assist aiming ) , just to bridge normally , so I see no problem.Interesting thread for our less able members to follow.

[dcrackers147]

I knew a good player who became ill and had to tape a similar type of thing to his hand. He said it was the only way he could still play but he found it so frustrating as he lost alot of feel and was forever over or under hitting shots.

[tommydale]

I knew a good player who became ill and had to tape a similar type of thing to his hand. He said it was the only way he could still play but he found it so frustrating as he lost alot of feel and was forever over or under hitting shots.

I admire him for that. I maybe didn't quite explain properly; I severely lack sensation in my left hand due to my disability. But I understand that having no friction of my hand would affect my actual cueing arm? If I am able I would attach a piece of leather or something similar to the device thing (any heads up on what I should call it...?!). My hands aren't leathery but I can't think of another material off the top of my head that would replicate the friction of my hand?

Words aren't really my thing; does that make sense? :')

[jrc750]

I don't know the answer to your question tommydale, but good luck
What i do know is the person in the pic doesn't know how to chalk a tip properly, looks like he has ruined that cue !!!

[Phil C]

I don't know the answer to your question tommydale, but good luck
What i do know is the person in the pic doesn't know how to chalk a tip properly, looks like he has ruined that cue !!!

Hahaha, yeah that cue is buggered

I don't see a problem with people using such ailments. You should be fine.

[step77]

Hi, I'll have a word with Bob, high up in EPA, England over 50's player. See what he says.

[tommydale]

Hi, I'll have a word with Bob, high up in EPA, England over 50's player. See what he says.

You are a fantastic human. I eagerly await a response from Bob!

[biffer]

Congratulations on the great pool stats mate, hope you receive good news about using that cueing aid in the league, I would not complain if I was playing against someone using this. good luck with the pool.

[tommydale]

I don't see a problem with people using such ailments. You should be fine.

Thank you kindly. I'm asking before I buy the thing because it's £20, expensive when you realise it's just a bit of plastic and even more expensive for a student, but priceless in comparison to what it could potentially add to my game.

Congratulations on the great pool stats mate, hope you receive good news about using that cueing aid in the league, I would not complain if I was playing against someone using this. good luck with the pool.

Thank you, sir! Made my day

[biffer]

I do think that £20 is a lot of money but In the long run I think it would be money well spent, especially if you keep playing to a high standard, you only have to buy it once, hopefully!

[tommydale]

It is a bit steep isn't it! Idk if I'll ever be at a high standard; or even a standard that'll 'reimburse' me for it, for lack of a better word :'). I might save up for a year and treat myself to a new cue, case, care kit and this 'tool' thing

[biffer]

Well that will defiantly cost more than £20. Do u have a cue in mind, or a maker? if not the guys on here will be quick to help, they gave me a hand with the new Tony Glover cue I found second hand, so make sure you give TSF a shout when you are looking

[tommydale]

Absolutely, that's why I'm gonna have to save for a year

I'm looking at a Peradon 55" 17.5oz 8.25mm for £140. It's not new but it's been kept so well. But then again the lad who owns it might shift it I've saved enough... :/. I certainly will, thank you kindly for the heads up! Not a bad bunch on here, are they ;}