Here is a representation of the table.
The 'Top' of the table is that cushion to the left of the black, opposite the Baulk end.
The colours are normally spotted as we see here, with the three baulk colours spotted "God Bless You" (GBY) as you spot them from the Baulk end.
When re-spotting the colours, they go back on their own spot.
If that spot is occupied, they go on the highest-values spot available i.e. Black spot first, Pink Spot second, then Blue, then Brown, then Green, then Yellow.
If ALL Spots are occupied, then they go as close as possible to their own spot towards the top of the table directly towards the top of the table i.e. towards the Black spot, in a straight line down the table. If, with the Black or Pink there is no room between their own spot and the top of the table, then the ball is placed as close as possible to its own spot toward the Baulk end.
If two or more colours are to be spotted, any balls which can be are spotted on their own spot first, otherwise the highest-valued ball is spotted first. e.g. the Yellow spot being free and the Black spot occupied, the Yellow ball spots first on its own spot, and then the Black ball is taken care of. If the yellow spot is NOT free, the Black ball is spotted first.
If, when spotting the ball, it sinks into a dimple and in doing so touches another ball, then it does not go on its own spot because that spot is occupied. Replace the other ball if it moved and the spot the ball in question on the highest available spot. If there is no open spot, then it goes as close to its own spot, towards the top of the table, as possible, even if it does not spot properly until it is 1/2" or more away from its spot. DO NOT PLACE THE BALL AS CLOSE TO ITS OWN SPOT AS POSSIBLE AND THEN WHACK IT WITH A DEAD BALL TO SETTLE IT INTO THE CLOTH as this just makes the problem worse in the future.
Of course, as a referee, you should have checked all the spots for consistency prior to the start of the game and repaired any damaged spots or replaced the stick-on spots. If you are not using a stick-on spots, I find that using a toothbrush to rough of damaged spots and then settling them down again with the heal of a spoon sometimes restores integrity when done gently.
The 'Top' of the table is that cushion to the left of the black, opposite the Baulk end.
The colours are normally spotted as we see here, with the three baulk colours spotted "God Bless You" (GBY) as you spot them from the Baulk end.
When re-spotting the colours, they go back on their own spot.
If that spot is occupied, they go on the highest-values spot available i.e. Black spot first, Pink Spot second, then Blue, then Brown, then Green, then Yellow.
If ALL Spots are occupied, then they go as close as possible to their own spot towards the top of the table directly towards the top of the table i.e. towards the Black spot, in a straight line down the table. If, with the Black or Pink there is no room between their own spot and the top of the table, then the ball is placed as close as possible to its own spot toward the Baulk end.
If two or more colours are to be spotted, any balls which can be are spotted on their own spot first, otherwise the highest-valued ball is spotted first. e.g. the Yellow spot being free and the Black spot occupied, the Yellow ball spots first on its own spot, and then the Black ball is taken care of. If the yellow spot is NOT free, the Black ball is spotted first.
If, when spotting the ball, it sinks into a dimple and in doing so touches another ball, then it does not go on its own spot because that spot is occupied. Replace the other ball if it moved and the spot the ball in question on the highest available spot. If there is no open spot, then it goes as close to its own spot, towards the top of the table, as possible, even if it does not spot properly until it is 1/2" or more away from its spot. DO NOT PLACE THE BALL AS CLOSE TO ITS OWN SPOT AS POSSIBLE AND THEN WHACK IT WITH A DEAD BALL TO SETTLE IT INTO THE CLOTH as this just makes the problem worse in the future.
Of course, as a referee, you should have checked all the spots for consistency prior to the start of the game and repaired any damaged spots or replaced the stick-on spots. If you are not using a stick-on spots, I find that using a toothbrush to rough of damaged spots and then settling them down again with the heal of a spoon sometimes restores integrity when done gently.
