If two or more object balls fall off the table in pool, where do they get placed?

Question

Would they be placed in different places for different pool games?

Answer 1

The current WPA rules state that no balls are spotted in 8 ball (see first link).

If you play a game where balls get spotted and multiple balls need to be spotted, the first one goes on the foot spot and the second ball is frozen to it directly behind it on the long centerline of the table (towards the foot rail; see second link). It also explains what happens if other balls are blocking the spot where you would put the ball.

In 9 ball, the 9 ball can get spotted if it is pocketed on the same shot as a foul or gets driven off the table (see third link).

Answer 2

In most cases, balls that jump off or "fall off" the pool table, get spotted on the 'foot spot'. In most cases, balls do NOT get placed "in different places for different pool games".  In some games, the incoming player has the option to have the ball replaced on the table, in its original spot that the ball was sitting before it got knocked off the table. See explanation and expections for different games, below .........

If one or more balls jumps off the pool table, in most cases (and in most games) the balls are "spotted", or placed on the "foot spot" (the spot at the center of the foot string, where you would normally rack the balls in most pool games). The balls that have jumped off of the table, are spotted on the foot spot in numerical order.

Example: If the 3-ball and the 12-ball jump off the table, the 3-ball gets placed on the foot spot and the 12-ball gets spotted directly behind (and in line) of the 3-ball. The spotted balls are "spotted-up" to touch (or be "frozen") to each other.

Note: If the foot spot is already occupied or crowded by one or more balls, the 3-ball would be placed as close to the foot-spot as possible, keeping it centered by using the foot-spot and the center diamond on the foot rail, as your guide.

Exceptions:

Eight Ball: If you're playing a game of Eight Ball and you jump the 8-ball off the table, it is a loss of game -- no spotting the 8 in Eight Ball, nor any other balls that jump off the table.

Golf (a snooker game) : An object ball that jumps off the table is a foull, and the offending player loses his turn a receives a "hickey" (foul). The object ball is spooted on the foot-spot UNLESS an opponent's ball was struck first. In that case the opponent may choose to return his object ball to its original position.

Nine Ball: An unpocketed ball is considered to be driven off the table if it comes to rest other than on the bed of the table --(foul). The jumped ball(s) is NOT respotted (exception: if the object ball is the 9-ball, it is respotted) and play continues.

Best wishes, pool player!

LAG