Where does a colour go back if its spot is taken?
B · Beginner · The game · 3 of 5A colour that must go back goes on its own spot. If that spot is taken, it goes on the highest-value spot free. If every spot is taken, it goes as near its own spot as possible towards the top cushion. A spotted colour must not touch another ball, and the referee must finish spotting before the next stroke.
How it works
- When: a colour potted, pocketed in a foul or forced off the table is spotted while reds remain, and after any foul on it later.
- Own spot occupied: use the highest-value spot that is free.
- Several colours to spot: the highest value is placed first.
- All spots occupied: as near its own spot as possible, between that spot and the top cushion.
- Pink and black with no room behind: as near the spot as possible on the centre line of the table.
- Not touching: a spotted colour must not touch another ball.
- Playing too soon: striking before the referee has finished spotting is a foul.
- Mistakes: a player is not held responsible for a referee's spotting error.
- A red spotted by mistake: removed if it can be identified; otherwise play goes on with sixteen reds.
The glossary has the spots, the coloured balls, the red balls, the foul, the frame and the table.
Tricky cases
A colour is left off the table by mistake and play goes on. What then?
When it is noticed, it is put back without penalty, provided the frame has not already ended, and play continues from there.
A colour is spotted after it should have stayed down. Do the points count?
It is removed without penalty when noticed. If it has been potted again before anyone notices, those points count after the next stroke.
The black spot and every other spot are taken, and a red sits behind the black. Where does the black go?
As near its own spot as possible on the centre line of the table, still not touching any ball.
The striker plays while the referee is still spotting a colour in a break. What happens?
The colour's value is not scored, and the foul for playing before spotting is complete applies.
Why the rule exists
Putting colours back in a fixed order keeps the points on offer constant while reds remain. The order of fallback spots means a referee never has to make up a position.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Own spot taken | Highest-value free spot | WPBSA Snooker 3.7(e) |
| All spots taken | Towards the top cushion from its own spot | WPBSA Snooker 3.7(g), 3.7(h) |
| A red spotted by error | Removed, or a sixteen-red frame | WPBSA Snooker 3.7(d) |
| English billiards | The red is re-spotted; the colours do not exist | WPBSA Billiards 3.9 |
From the rule book
World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, Official Rules of the Games of Snooker and English Billiards (May 2022 update), snooker part, Section 2 Rule 18 and Section 3 Rules 3(h)(iv) and 7. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the association's rule book, which covers snooker and English billiards together.