Every so often an object ball will mysteriously move on the table. You didn't touch it and no one bumped into the table, there's no superstrong breeze running through the poolroom. Chances are the ball moved because of some imperfection in the table or in the ball itself. Even the best tables can have imperfections in the cloth and no object ball is really perfect. Is this a foul? Technically, no. You don't have to return the ball to its original position and you won't lose your turn.

You will read more about fouls that pertain to particular pool games in the next few chapters. As you learn the rules of the games, keep the general rules at hand. They will apply to most of the games.