Why is Corey Deuel Breaking with the Bridge?

Corey Deuel has always been a mad scientist when it comes to the break. In the most recent tournament, Corey was seen using a bridge combined with a cue sleeve instead of his hand to break (I first saw him testing this break out around 2012). What's interesting is that he's also played with a cue sleeve full time during this match. Let me know why you think he's doing this!
Here's a link to my tutorial of the Corey's symmetrical 10-ball break:
• Corey Deuel's SECRET 1...
Video credit to Accu-Stats Video Productions. Taken for commentary purposes:
• Inaugural NBL 10-Ball ...

[@TheBilliardCorner]

Here's a tutorial on how to perform Corey's symmetrical 10-ball break: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZLaemOtoaaporc

[@marcmalmberg7029]

He's one of my favorite players for sure and definitely the only guy willing to experiment and have the confidence to test his experiments in match settings. Very unique and original player.

[@TheGreatOutdoors]

I like his break a lot.

[@trple2]

Love the way he experiments. Most of it should be illegal but as long as it isn't he's doing things the right way.

[@timrobinson7253]

My dad has his number I didn’t realize this dude was this famous holy shit

[@godjhaka7376]

@@timrobinson7253 so because your dad has someone number he must be famous? Not at all. You probably have the number of a girl who don't even want nothing to do with you... Is she famous?

[@godjhaka7376]

@@timrobinson7253 you want Efren Reyes number? Nah you'll be bugging him lol. The only pool player you guys know is Efren

[@mikewest712]

Love to see him and Earl face off in a match that was sponsored by all the contraptions and accessories they use.

[@lilbunnifoolfool3889]

Earl walked out of the Saratoga open one year when Corey Showed up to play...

[@alev4287]

where’s the infrared laser mounted bridge with special glasses? bunch of pansies using all this tech. it’s a bar game!

[@Kennnny77]

Corey the savant. The rain man of the break.

[@TheGreatOutdoors]

Agreed

[@alev4287]

Why not just add some lasers to the cue assist bridge?

[@cronbenson8788]

Corey is a master pool player, and has been for a very long time. His young success has paved a way of playing. Can't wait to see what he brings later on. Really fun to watch play

[@julyzerg1]

he is an average pool player with some tricks, he got 6 or 7 out playing 10-ball from Shane and other Champions 5 years ago...

[@stevewilliams2732]

@@julyzerg1 your delusional Corey's a champion

[@Salesman]

Yes, Corey is a world champion and a great player, but he is by far one of the most overrated players of all time. Corey has always been interested in being the smartest guy in the room instead of being the best player. Oh sure he's a beast at bar table 8 ball and noone truly ever wants to play against him in that discipline but please. He's not an all time great.

[@stevewilliams2732]

@@Salesman I agree

[@julyzerg1]

@@Salesman I agreed with you most of the parts, but Corey is a "world champion" is not true LOL, he ain't got no World titles at all, and also "he's a beast at bar table 8 ball" is also a very arguable statement, every pro player is a damn beast on barbox LOL, Corey ain't have no major titles in Barbox, as far as I know, so I don't know what this is about tho... don't get me wrong Corey Duel is Corey Duel, he is the MAN in pool, he needs no introduction, so I don't have any problem with him or trying to bashing him or anything, but anyone saying he is a champion - that I think it really bothers me LOL, maybe he WAS a champion back in 1990/early 2000 but he is never a title contender of any tournament, then and now...

[@wdiddy1]

Corey thinks outside the box, this is why he comes up with crazy shot!

[@Darkslide2AR-FE]

I think Corey is looking for ways to either reinvent the game or reinvent his own game he's very experimental and it's fascinating to see what he comes up with, he is such a creative player.

[@Frankje01]

yeah, he has basically researched what the "optimal" break form is, or close it and apparently using a human bridge is too inconsistent to get the same result, so he uses the bridge. Very interesting.

[@Dysusfusion]

At first I thought he was doing this as a handicap but when he played John Morra in the final and was still using it, I knew he must of had some reason. Honestly can't think of any other reasons other then the rest being more consistent than a loop hole bridge as far as stability, elevation, and alignment goes.

[@raygrinders3918]

When I break, for stability I use the common method of using a two-finger bridge off a side rail. So it appears he wanted that same stability but needed to be straight-on and closer to the head ball.

[@tesha199]

@@raygrinders3918 it's not the best position to break 10-ball

[@raygrinders3918]

@@tesha199 Which position, and for whom? The first time I play 10-Ball, I'll give them both a try.

[@tesha199]

@@raygrinders3918 well, the best position to break 10-ball is the one from the video 😁

[@johntallanger4036]

@@raygrinders3918 Depends on everything from the table to the rack to how hard you break. So many variable there isn't a "best" spot.

[@EynkiYoom]

Ill answer your rhetorical question. Hes doing that because hes freakin' Corey Deuel.

[@georgesotiriou7051]

I want Strickland to get involved in this.

[@brucesmith1544]

He wears his bridge

[@enzopalumbo2164]

Strickland has his own contraptions and accessories. LOL.

[@Tabor_Truth]

@@brucesmith1544 lmao

[@bobgleaser7106]

I can see this mounted on the top of his forearm brace with push button spring.

[@robertpotter5453]

007 Strickland

[@wld1026257]

the bridge and sleeve like you said is for consistency. in my opinion the sleeve also adds to the accuracy of contact with the cueball itsself because your still shooting "one handed" and you get a small amount of mercy for form

[@HillbillyIslandLife]

Time to change the 10 ball rules....lol. Corey is a GuRu

[@XHeadhunter66]

For the top pros the 10-ball break is somewhat easy (when a template is used) so no real edge gained here for corey, IMO. Pretty interesting, but nothing gamebreaking, like the softbreaking in 9-ball.

[@ranchopatriot]

The most innovative man in pool.

[@bicd3244]

Corey is and has always been next level.

[@jorgeresendiz7614]

Yeah right 😂

[@thegodofpez]

Damn that’s just ingenuity!

[@mooncakevp]

I watched some of these NBL matches, and I heard that Allison Fisher (she was commentating with Alan Hopkins) talked with Corey during a break. She asked him why he was breaking with the bridge. He indeed said what you said in the video. He can't get his elevation consistent enough with his bridge hand, and with the bridge he can. My criticism of this way of breaking is that he doesn't seems to have a great control of the cue ball. If he would be able to combine the popbreak of Shane with this, then it's a killer break. update: I saw somebody below commentating the same below. I think that confirms it then. :)

[@michaellavery4899]

Yep. It's definitely below.

[@orihs1x]

ARE YOU BACK??? YESSSS

[@ProLevelAVG]

Allison Fisher said she asked Corey about the bridge. Corey told her he couldn't bridge high enough with his hand so he was using the cue bridge instead. They didn't mention if he was injured or why he couldn't set up correctly with his hand as a bridge.

[@shoosh4082]

he’s prolly a fan of the “level cue rule”

[@bigjerm210ify]

Template rack, sleeve, bridge I think it all comes down to limiting the variables. In an experiment you want consistency and if this is giving him good results then I’m sure he’ll continue to use it. Mans is basically playing 8 ball if he is always pocketing the side balls with shape on the 1.

[@timatkinson9291]

Good point. Playing 8 ball!!

[@KingNast]

They'll probably make some rule that you can't use a bridge or sleeve on the break, etc.. Corey is a genius. I say let everyone do the same thing if they want to. He'll still probably come out on top.

[@johntallanger4036]

@@KingNast He's smart to do it but it should not be allowed. The bridge should be eliminated from the game.

[@stevewilliams2732]

@@johntallanger4036 😑😑😑😑😑😑😑

[@johntallanger4036]

@@stevewilliams2732 Learn to play left handed. Or deal with playing bad position.

[@MeganOHowe]

I tried this and the consistency 😂

[@TheBandit13]

"Yeah, definitely two balls went on in on the break, definitely two balls" Rainman

[@Dank_Nuggetz]

Was watching yesterday. Thought that was the strangest thing I've ever seen playing pool.

[@TheBishop12]

At a certain age, we all turn into our own kind of Strickland

[@sohjunwen5490]

When you have learnt everything there is in the game.. 😂

[@dudeman1828]

Because he nuts, obviously. I’d be willing to bet he could use a broom handle and be pretty F-ing good if spent enough time at it.

[@JoshStodola]

The Prince of Pool is a steward of the game and a massive draw! He is not quite on Earl Strickland level of ingenuity but he is tied for 2nd no doubt. They changed rules because of him

[@destinylags6863]

Corey is behind only Efren in creativity in the pool world man.

[@jeremiahshields7827]

If I break one handed while using the rail, there's times it obliterates the rack. I have no cue ball control really but man when you get a good straight on swing with it it does a lot of damage, but transversely when you screw it up with a miss cue it only makes ya more stupid lol.

[@wc5839]

They will ban the use of a bridge to break soon, LOL. Very creative guy. I met him two years ago at an APA event. Very cool guy.

[@PhilipVels]

Honestly, I am surprised this isn't done more often. We have had these tools to assist us the entire time yet they're not taken to our advantage very often

[@trple2]

exactly. those tools should not be a part of pool but as long as they are push it to the limit

[@buharimohammednasir2893]

Can you imagine if Corey Due used this experiment on "hill-hill" against Earl Strickland and ran the rack out towin the match????? How mad could Earl Strickland be driven???? 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 I would pay a million dollar to watch the match live😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@ahmadd6834]

it seems like he is using a normal cue not a break cue as well, since he started chalking the same cue after his break possibly to take next shot. i maybe wrong though the video isnt long enough to confirm.

[@kerrmoney]

You already answered your own question.....=CONSISTENCY

[@RByrne]

This just takes out a couple more inconsistencies. A good friend I play 9ball with used to have a great break. He broke his leg and both ankles, and was In a wheelchair for a few months. He put on something like 15lbs body weight, and had to completely change his break style since his fingers were fatter, and he couldn't do the closed loop bridge anymore. My point is there's all sorts of variables, and for a top level player like Corey, who plays other top players, consistency is key to winning.

[@travislogsdon8691]

He’s a smart man

[@paulriggall8370]

It gets results.

[@acedrumminman]

Also Corey is a very good Snooker player, so using the bridge is a must for that game.

[@SamuL147]

Because he’s a madman

[@bradleyburton2664]

The results speak for themselves

[@307livin9]

I think that he wasn't quite comfortable with using his bridge hand as the cue ball had to be put on the spot. And he knows that when it comes to a mechanical bridge, it is more stable and somewhat reliable than his hand, therefore making it more consistent. I did notice though on the breaks where that bridge slides a bit on the table, he was very inconsistent. So he still has a few things to work out with it, but honestly as silly as it looks, he had very successful breaks.

[@mrpoolplayer6379]

In my research, with the BreakRAK & using the Rempe Ball, as a way of obtaining feedback, I was concerned about that desired feature (consistent height of hit) of the Break Shot. I began using the glove & a tighter bridge hand. Joe Tucker was starting to use the SLEEVE & I too looked at that. Using the bridge wasn't considered. Leave it to Corey, to open our eyes, about another way to skin a cat. I won't adopt this new method, because I'm too old to adopt anything different.

[@justmenate]

Seems that it would insure a straight stroke all the way through, right?

[@rhyslucero1400]

There is a video of Deuel playing 'golf' - he made all 15 balls in 11 shots on a bar box. That means twice he made two balls with one shot and once he made three balls with one shot, and besides that he didn't miss!

[@TheBilliardCorner]

There use to be a video on KZbin of Corey practicing the 9 ball soft break. I studied it in order to learn the break and he legit broke and ran out for 2 hours without a miss.

[@melc8049]

He's using a bridge for breaking. Someone came up with a breaking sleeve instead of glove. I think Mika Imm. also had use of a wrist stabilizing device way-back-when. Separate break cues weren't a new thing, but they became an issue when the Sledgehammer came out using the phenolic tip everyone uses today. I wonder if someone came up with a hand bridge for stability during breaking. It might get banned and shunned like many other devices in the past. He should just use the moose-head bridge separated from the extension end. I myself have modified it so it works better with my cues. I say, if it isn't explicitly banned, more power to him. He's come up with so many ideas, they might just ban him individually. HAHAHa

[@robertmeadows1657]

Channeling his inner Earl.

[@michaelbrownlee4857]

Found what works and keeps doin it Cuz it works Amen

[@kikimomikuto6689]

Hmmm.. Probably the first top pro who did this first. I remember my nephew using the bridge all the time when he was still learning even in breaking since he still cant form a proper bridge. I noticed that his break was better than mine using the bridge.

[@robdetuinman2]

We used to play whole evenings while only using the bridge, including the break. It did teach us good use of the bridge.

[@louiem2]

Corey has always been a great innovator of the game. The authorities will probably stop him from doing this i suspect...

[@Crazeyfor67]

A bridge is a legal tool in pool. Just like break and jump cues. So no one should complain since anyone else can give it a go.

[@cosmicraysshotsintothelight]

As long as you do not let him be the one racking them up, I think he would not have high odds of making them over and over and over, so he may be biasing the rack nesting a bit there.

[@dalekadoun783]

Weird but , he is a GREAT player. If it works, don't stop.

[@jama211]

Very cool

[@poolflorian2235]

Please help me where can I get a Cue Sleeve???

[@johnsaunders6510]

Have never heard of a cue sleeve.

[@michaelcorbett5659]

I tried using the bridge like Corey, and it was very uncomfortable and I had no control to hit the rack consistently. Is Corey Deuel double jointed? That's the only way I think it can be done.

[@TheBilliardCorner]

Not sure if he's double jointed. I've tried it too, same as you its very uncomfortable. He prob practiced it a lot.

[@EdovsAlien]

he does what he needs to do in order to win. at least this doesn’t ruin the game like the soft-break did (soft-break, make two balls and play combination on the 9ball)

[@1Justingaddi]

Wasn’t it because of Corey deuel’s soft break that they changed the ruling to where 3 balls have to pass the headstrong on the break?

[@EdovsAlien]

@@1Justingaddi yap

[@liberty9348]

I get the bridge use. The sleeve though... if it is RIGID at all, it would act as a GUIDE to keep the cue perfectly straight. Much like using a rest when firing a rifle... it will be far more accurate and REPEATABLE. I just looked it up and the APA rules for the league I play in says it's LEGAL to use a bridge... Imma mess around with this =]

[@jm361]

Corey once told me "know the rules of any game and always use tools", he also mentioned to me never forget your playing the table, not your opponent (no 2 tables are alike, nor is the environment etc). He also said there will be a time when you may never get to the table to shoot and thus you are stuck sitting/racking (hence alternate breaking prevents that now).. You're right he is a genius per se, he has played the game for along and he practices alot (or he at least use to way back in the day and was really really skinny, now he has meat on those arms lol) either there was a time he was on the cover of a billiards magazine as a "Billiards Bad Ass" kinda like the in the movie "Karate kid" and the Character was on a front cover as the "Bad Ass", well guess what he is still a bad ass lol..

[@johntallanger4036]

I like the way he thinks, in general.

[@madkawa]

"you're playing the table, not your opponent".....That's not always true. When you play a defensive shot, you have to think about your opponent. Are they good/bad at jumping....kicking.....banking...etc

[@johntallanger4036]

@@madkawa absolutely. and you need to have a sense of how they're going to run out and when. pace of play. etc. some guys if you junk up the game and they can't just run and run and run start to melt down. also you start balancing how much offense you want to play vs defense based on who you're playing and how they're playing.

[@madkawa]

@@johntallanger4036 That's right. You get some people rattled with defense and they're done. Or if you're playing someone who likes to play fast and you slow down a little, it has the same effect.

[@johntallanger4036]

​@@madkawa Mostly I .like to take my time and make sure I am confident in the make. Very precise with the position. As if everything is championship level. That alone throws people off. I do not do it to throw them off...I do it because I'm taking it seriously. But the tempo and seriousness most people can't handle. Once they start cracking and the game is in hand or I get into a momentum where I'm seeing the shots and position better I'll speed up. And then obviously there are the Jayson Shaw types who can not handle a defensive game where everything isn't run outs. A lot of people that play in the leagues and young people who think they will be pros believe that games should be 1 or 2 turns. If you can limit their big runs and packs they start to break down often. Again, I don't do it to screw with them psychologically. I do it because I do not want them running racks on me that I can not run back. But it definitely has an effect. The guy who taught me how to play had a daugher who was US Open champion. It's women, but still. Anyway, he is old now and can still run tables but not like the top players. First thing he showed me when I saw him again was all of the ways he was playing unusual defense. This included, I kid you not, safety off of ball in hand in 9 ball if he didn't like the layout, could induce the other player into doing something dumb, and/or could set himself up for a combo the 9 if he got another ball in hand. Was informative. Not the strategy to use against someone who is a pool genius but was interesting.

[@elchapogordo3052]

I think it's because breaking takes more power he don't what to mess up his breaking cue

[@godjhaka7376]

He's doing this because he can't break like SVB, and doesn't want to practice 6 hours a day to get that good

[@bob733333]

He told Alison Fischer it is for extra elevation.

[@uski1977]

yea but what if no magic rack?

[@thomaswaters4253]

The Bryson dechambeau of pool

[@FiestaAndFurious]

Earl lives

[@ethanburnett4164]

There’s a red mark on his pool stick too

[@gorankunovic6404]

He is genius of constant.....

[@noneofyourbusiness8432]

Is the sleeve permitted?

[@sajjadxgamer9014]

We mised your reviews

[@brettbarker8444]

Next rule in 10 ball: can’t use the bridge to break. 🙄 He deserves to be in the hall of fame simply for single-handedly making them change official rules on the break multiple times.

[@poolflorian2235]

I have a weak break also can someone tell me where can I get a Cue Sleeve please??? Thanks 🙏🏻 Happy Holidays to all stay safe Covid never left but he’s back like Chucky

[@Crazeyfor67]

Just buy a cheap cotton glove (large) and cut the middle finger off. Seriously that's about what it is. But now that Corey is using it I'm sure Pool Dawg and others will start selling them.

[@duffyrobert19]

It's just a piece of fish net plastic which is normally used as shipping material

[@mattwalls7381]

Think he won a championship back in the day with his soft break, Freakin pissed everyone off lol!

[@dereke8936]

Yep, US Open.

[@WickWack306]

pattern racking in 10 ball?????

[@Lauranyyfan]

For this league and tournament....yup!

[@bigrichreptiles0272]

His cues got stolen allegedly he’s been using someone else’s cues

[@tualatindave3797]

They say practice makes perfect, but that is incorrect. Perfect practice makes perfect.

[@ezdough9329]

they had to break from the spot...for 10 ball, he needed a certain angle on it...

[@trentbrands394]

I have sunk the eight breaking from there.

[@BVB-borusse]

The end of pool billiards 🥲

[@bigrichreptiles0272]

And using someone else’s cue cause his got stolen allegedly

[@ac130kz]

Savage

[@doraemon402]

Maybe he should start practicing the rest of the game cause he ain't cutting it these days

[@AntonGrusovnik]

To be more consistent.

[@MCtravler]

Cory likes to do things to frustrate, piss off and get into the head of his opponent!

[@luckyloserbilliards]

probably just doing it to see how many people will follow. lol

[@IRevealTheMagic]

Ummm..everyone here DOES or SHOULD realize that he as well as the whole pro pool community got this from Ronnie Alcano.

[@cardguys]

It's cause he's a gagenius

[@ABigSIllyMushroom]

He's one of my favourite players but i dont like this for some reason. Doesn't feel right when i watch this. I don't wanna bash him but i feel like it lacks some of the artistry that's involved in breaking.

[@Crustyswede1]

I don’t agree with the sleeve thing. It’s just one more thing to take away from the natural play of the game. This will only open the door for more gadgets to be introduced and ruin game. But maybe all this video did was show something for science and is not used in regulated games.

[@UltimateFlea09]

Cheat codes

[@jasonparker6138]

Whatever he is doing, it will probably be against the rules in a year or two 😆

[@عبدالرحمنالبلوشي-ل6م]

Do it wirh shane let him cry 😢

[@doughatch7472]

It looks like unnecessary extra work

[@TikTok-lu7eu]

lol everyone should do this..

[@calinmihai9758]

He îs breaking with a bridge because, like his generation fellow Earl (and his fingers extensions, elbow holders, cue sleeves, headphones, etc.) he's loosing it a bit.

[@CaLiDaRi]

his Aimbotting

[@alev4287]

This should all be illegal! Bare hands or not at all! Use the pus..i mean bridge stick only when necessary!

[@jshep73]

“Super interesting” Americans are hilarious

[@TheBilliardCorner]

haha 😆

[@charlesshepherd2004]

More hacks and goofy gadgets to ruin the game, in my opinion. This would never fly in my local spot. You'd get thrown in a trash can

[@jimspeer9674]

Qll M

[@aousruke1834]

Grow up and use your hand Corey. You’re not gonna get back into top tier competition breaking like a goof

[@yippeeki-yay1691]

Because he's a prat.

[@MarvinsMarvels4290]

Dumbest billiard thing I seen in a while Using a bridge to break.