Originally Posted by
cny-bikeman
Well to be more accurate it will increase tension on the spokes that are on the same side as the broken one and will decrease tension on the opposite side.
If we're going to insist on accuracy on the forum, we might as well complete the thought. A broken spoke has an effect on it's neighbors (either side) only if the break results in a deflection in the rim. If the rim doesn't move, the lengths of the neighboring spoke are unchanged, and therefore the tension is unchanged.
Usually a broken spoke will cause a change in the alignment, creating hop or wobble. Spokes that the rim moves toward have lowered tension, those the rim moves from have raised tension. The exact effect depends on the radial and lateral rigidity of the rim.