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 usually refers to a situation where the black is returned to the table after being potted so that play can continue.
Under the standard rules of snooker, this normally can happen when the scores are level at the end of a frame.
When a respotted black is used
When the black is the only object ball remaining, the first pot or foul normally ends the frame. However, a respotted black is used if:
- The scores are level
- Aggregate scores are not relevant to determining the winner
In this situation, the black is respotted and play continues until a decisive outcome is reached.
A respotted black can also be used when aggregate scores determine the winner of a game or match. If the aggregate scores are level at the end of the final frame, the players use the same respotted-black procedure to determine the winner.
How play resumes
When a respotted black is required:
- The referee places the black back on its spot
- The players draw lots to determine who plays first, usually via a coin toss
- The first pot or infringement ends the frame
The frame therefore ends as soon as the black is potted or an infringement occurs.
Fouls on a respotted black
Fouls can occur during play on a respotted black.
If a player commits a foul or other infringement:
- The appropriate penalty points are awarded to the opponent
- The frame ends immediately
- The non-offending player wins the frame
There is no continuation after an infringement 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 the black is the only object ball remaining, risk management and control of the cue ball become particularly important.
Situations where a respotted black is not used
A respotted black is not used simply because a frame is tied at some earlier point in the frame. It only becomes relevant when the black is the only object ball remaining and the specific conditions for a respotted black are met.
Some special formats also use alternative tie-break procedures. For example, in the Snooker Shoot Out, tied frames are typically 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 only becomes relevant when the black is the only object ball remaining and the conditions for the procedure are met.
The black is respotted whenever a frame is tied
A tied score alone is not enough. The rules also take into account whether aggregate scores are relevant to the outcome.
The frame continues after the black is potted again
The first pot ends the frame immediately.
A foul means the black is played again
The first infringement ends the frame immediately, with the appropriate penalty awarded to the opponent.