In snooker, some end-of-frame situations require a ball to be returned to the table after it has been potted.
One of the most well-known examples of this occurs at the end of a frame when the black ball is involved.
The respotted black is most commonly associated with tied frames and decisive moments, particularly in professional competition.
What is a respotted black?
A respotted black refers to a situation where the black ball is potted, then placed back on its spot so that play can continue.
This happens when the scores are tied at the end of a frame and no other balls remain on the table. The respotted black is then used to determine the winner of the frame.
When a respotted black is used
A respotted black is used when:
- All balls have been potted
- The scores are level
- The final black was legally potted to tie the scores
Instead of ending the frame as a draw, the black is respotted and play continues until a decisive outcome is reached.
How play resumes
After the black is respotted:
- The referee places the black back on its spot
- A coin toss determines which player takes the next shot
- The winner of the next scoring action wins the frame
The frame ends as soon as one player gains a lead, either by potting the black or receiving penalty points from a foul.
Fouls on a respotted black
Fouls can occur during play on a respotted black.
If a foul is committed:
- The opponent is awarded penalty points
- The frame ends immediately
- The non-offending player is declared the winner
There is no continuation after a foul in this situation.
Tactical considerations
The respotted black creates a single-ball decider.
Players may choose between:
- An attacking attempt to pot the black
- A safety shot designed to force an error
Because there are no remaining balls, positional play and risk management become critical.
Situations where a respotted black is not used
In standard snooker, a tied frame after the final black is decided by a respotted black.
Some special formats use alternative tie-break procedures. For example, in the Snooker Shoot Out, tied frames are decided using a blue ball shoot-out rather than a respotted black.
These alternatives are format-specific and do not apply to normal professional or amateur snooker matches.
Common misunderstandings
A respotted black can occur at any time
A respotted black is only used when all balls are potted and the scores are tied.
The black is respotted whenever a frame is tied
A respotted black is only used when the scores are level after the final black has been potted and no other balls remain on the table
The frame continues after the black is potted again
Once a lead is established, the frame ends immediately.