What Is a Re-Spotted Black?

Jun 27, 20269 min read

A re-spotted black is used when a snooker frame is tied after the final black has been potted or fouled. The black is put back on its spot, the cue ball is played from in hand, and the first score or foul normally decides the frame.

It is snooker’s sudden-death finish. There are no reds, no colours sequence and no long reset of the frame. One black comes back, one player gets the first shot, and the next scoring event settles it.

This guide explains when it happens, who plays first, where the cue ball goes, what happens on a foul, and the common misunderstandings beginners have.

Updated August 2026. For formal competition, check the current WPBSA rulebook and the referee’s decision.

A sequence visual showing how a tied frame after the final black leads to the black being re-spotted.

Quick Answer: What Is a Re-Spotted Black?

A re-spotted black happens when the scores are level after the final black is potted or after a foul on the final black leaves the scores tied. The black is placed back on its spot, the cue ball is played from in hand, and the first pot or foul usually wins or loses the frame.

When Does a Re-Spotted Black Happen?

It happens only at the end of a frame, when the final black has been resolved and the scores are equal. That is the important condition: the frame must be tied at the point the final black situation ends.

If one player is ahead after the final black is potted or fouled, there is no re-spot. The frame is simply over.

If the score is level, the black comes back and the frame continues only for that black-ball decider.

Why the Final Black Is Different

When only the black remains, a pot or infringement normally ends the frame. That makes the final black different from the earlier colours.

If a player is seven ahead and fouls on the final black, the opponent receives seven points and the scores become level. That is a classic re-spotted black situation.

If the same foul leaves one player ahead, the frame does not need a re-spot because the tie condition has not been met.

The Scoreboard Logic

Think of the final black as a seven-point switch. If the player behind can tie the frame by potting it, or if a foul on the black creates a tie, the re-spot becomes possible.

If a player trails by more than seven with only the black left, the frame is already effectively out of reach unless a concession or unusual formal situation is involved. If they trail by exactly seven, the black can tie it.

This is why commentators focus so closely on the gap before the final black. One point either side changes whether the black is a decider, a formality, or a route to a re-spot.

A table reset visual showing the black on its spot, cue ball in hand and the choice of who plays first.

Who Plays First?

In formal rules, players draw lots or use an equivalent choice method. The winner chooses whether to play first or put the opponent in.

The cue ball is in hand for the opening stroke, meaning it is played from the D. This is not the same as simply continuing from wherever the cue ball stopped after the final black.

In casual club play, players may toss a coin, lag or agree who breaks. For serious play, follow the competition rule or referee.

Should You Play First or Put the Opponent In?

Choice matters. If the black is potable from the D, taking the shot may be right. If the pot is low percentage and a safety is available, the player with choice might still prefer to play first and leave distance.

Putting the opponent in can also be attractive if the opening shot looks awkward. The risk is that you hand them the first chance to win with one good pot.

There is no automatic answer. The decision depends on black position, pocket angles, cue-ball control and the player’s confidence under pressure.

Where Is the Black Placed?

The black is placed back on its own spot. Since it is the only object ball left, spotting is usually straightforward.

If there is an unusual issue with spotting under formal rules, the referee handles it. For normal beginner play, the black goes on the black spot and the cue ball starts from the D.

Pro tip: a re-spotted black is not “next player pots black.” First decide who has choice, then place the cue ball in hand.

An outcome decoder showing how potting or fouling on a re-spotted black decides the frame.

What Happens If You Pot the Re-Spotted Black?

If you legally pot the re-spotted black, you win the frame. The black scores seven and breaks the tie.

The frame does not continue. There is no further ball, no extra safety exchange after the pot, and no need to clear anything else.

What Happens If You Foul?

A foul on the re-spotted black normally awards seven points to the opponent, which gives them the frame. This is why players often choose a safety rather than a low-percentage pot.

For example, if you miss the black completely, pot the white, double-hit, or hit the black illegally, the foul points are enough to decide the frame.

Can Safety Play Happen?

Yes. The re-spotted black does not have to be potted immediately. A player can play safe if they think the pot is too risky.

That is why re-spotted blacks can be tense. Both players know one mistake can end the frame, but a reckless pot attempt can be worse than a controlled safety.

Why Re-Spotted Blacks Feel So Dramatic

Most of a snooker frame rewards long-term control: building breaks, laying snookers, managing colours and avoiding risk. A re-spotted black compresses all of that into one ball.

The pressure is different because any score breaks the tie. A pot wins. A foul loses. Even a safety has to be precise because the next shot may be the frame.

For spectators, this makes the rule easy to follow: once the black is re-spotted, every shot is potentially decisive.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Thinking the player who potted the final black automatically plays first.
Forgetting the cue ball starts in hand from the D.
Thinking the whole frame restarts.
Assuming only a pot can decide it, when a foul can also decide it.
Calling a re-spot whenever the frame is tied before the final black is resolved.

Worked Scenarios

Scenario one: Player A pots the final black and the scores become level. The black is re-spotted, choice is decided, and the cue ball starts in hand.

Scenario two: Player A is seven ahead with only black left and fouls. Player B receives seven, the scores are level, and the black is re-spotted.

Scenario three: Player A is eight ahead with only black left and fouls. Player B receives seven, but Player A still leads by one. No re-spotted black is needed.

Club-Play Version

In a club match without a referee, agree the process before the shot if the final black could tie the frame. Decide how you will choose first shot, confirm the cue ball is in hand from the D, and make sure both players understand that a foul ends it.

This avoids the two common arguments: who should play first and whether the cue ball stays where it finished.

If you are playing league snooker, follow the league rulebook. Some local competitions specify their own practical process for drawing lots or deciding first shot.

Equipment Note

The rule is not equipment-dependent, but clear practice helps. Browse snooker balls, snooker cues, cue chalk and cue sports equipment if you are setting up regular snooker practice.

Useful Next Reads

Read how snooker fouls are scored, what happens if you pot the white, snooker potting order, what ball on means and basic snooker rules.

Sources Worth Checking

Use the WPBSA rules page for the current official rulebook, World Snooker Federation rules guidance, BCA snooker rules guidance and EBSA rule clarifications for additional rule context.

Bottom Line

A re-spotted black is a sudden-death black-ball decider used when the frame is tied after the final black. The black is spotted, the cue ball starts in hand, and the next pot or foul normally decides the frame.

Remember the sequence: tied after final black, black re-spotted, choice of first shot, cue ball from the D, first score wins.