What kind of game?
The basic technique of pocket billiards, the “shoot,” in which you hit the cue ball with the target ball and put it directly into your pocket, is a no-no. It is a super skillful game where you have to pocket all the target balls using bank shots, combination shots, kiss shots, kick shots (empty cushions), and combinations thereof.
Basic rules of the game
■Ball used
15 target balls from balls 1 to 15 and a cue ball.
■How to assemble a rack
Any position is fine (Figure 1).
Figure 1
■Game purpose
Pocket eight target balls in one rack before your opponent.
■Basic rule points
All target balls are worth one point, and all are called shots (Figure 2).
Figure 2
Game flow and wins/losses
Step 1: Deciding on the match format and order
The player who gets 8 points in 1 rack gets 1 point, and 1 rack (1 game) ends. Decide on the format of the match. After that, the game starts with banking to decide who goes first and who goes second (Figure 3).
Figure 3
If there is a difference in ability, you can handicap them by the number of racks they earn, such as “My opponent is 5-3,” or “I get 1 rack with 8 points, and my opponent gets 1 rack with 3 points.” Another method is to handicap players by the number of balls.
Step 2: From break shot to end of game
The game begins with the first player making a break shot from any position in the kitchen (Figure 4).
Figure 4
Everything in Honolulu is called a shot. Because it is difficult to put the target ball called at the time of the break into the called pocket, it is often a safety break (Figure 5).
Figure 5
If there is no foul on the break shot and any of the 15 target balls goes into the called pocket, play continues; if there is a foul or none of the target balls goes into the called pocket. The turns are exchanged. After that, players repeat turns and pocket the target ball using bank shots, combination shots, cannon shots, kick shots, and combinations thereof (Figure 6).
Figure 6
The player who repeats this cycle and pockets 8 target balls first wins 1 rack.
Points of rules to have fun playing
Foul1: Type of foul
In addition to the common fouls in pocket billiards (*), in Honolulu, if the shot cue ball does not hit any target ball (no hit) after the shot cue ball hits any target ball, the cue ball, the target ball, etc. If neither ball reaches the cushion (no cushion), it is a foul (Figure 7). If a foul is committed, the opposing player places the cue ball anywhere in the kitchen, and play resumes.
Figure 7
Foul 2: Foul on break shot
If the target ball does not go into the pocket on Honolulu’s break shot as called, it will be a breaking foul if two or more target balls do not hit the cushion after the cue ball hits some target balls.
Foul 3: If you foul
In all cases, if a foul is committed in Honolulu, one point is deducted and one already pocketed target ball is returned to the foot spot (Figure 8).
Figure 8
If you commit a foul before any balls have been pocketed, record -1 point at the time of the foul, then return one target ball to the foot spot when you score and change turns. The opposing player places the cue ball anywhere in the kitchen and resumes play.
Original Rule 1: Invalid shot
Even if the shot is not a direct shot, a shot that uses the cushion closest to the target ball and enters a pocket along that cushion as shown below will be invalid (Figure 9).
Figure 9
Original Rule 2: When other target balls are pocketed at the same time
If two or more target balls are pocketed at the same time during play, if there is no foul at the time of the shot and the target balls are in as called, play continues and the target balls other than the one called are footed at the time of change of turn. Return to spot. If the target ball is not pocketed as called, return the target ball to the foot spot and exchange turns with your opponent.
Common fouls in pocket billiards
- A foul is where the cue ball from a scratch
shot falls into the pocket, either directly or after hitting some target ball. The subsequent processing will vary depending on the type of game. - Touching the Ball
The only thing you can touch the cue ball with when shooting is the leather tap attached to the cue tip. Touching any other part will result in a foul. It is also a foul if you touch the target ball. - Outside the Ballpark
If the cue ball is shot and goes off the table, or if the target ball goes off the table as a result of a shot, it is a foul. - Double Hit
The tap may only touch the cue ball once during a single shot. If you hit the cue ball more than once after it has been shot, it will be a foul. - Both Feet Leave the Floor
At the moment of the shot, one foot must be touching the ground, even just the toes. For example, if you sit on a table and shoot with your feet in the air, it will be a foul. - Adding a landmark
When taking a shot, it is a foul if you place any kind of landmark to help you identify where you want to aim.
