Players can pocket any ball but can’t shoot straight-in shots. Shots must be combos, banks, caroms, billiards, kicks, or a combination of these shots. The goal is to pocket eight balls. Honolulu is a good game for all skill levels.

Rack

Fifteen balls in a triangle in no particular order.

Break

Two object balls and the cue must hit a rail or a called ball into a called pocket. Failure to do so is a foul and opponent has table in position.

Valid Shot

Pocket any called shot with non-straight-in shot to continue at the table. Bank and kick shots must hit a non-adjacent rail to the made pocket.

Extra Balls

Extra balls pocketed are delayed, and are spotted at the end of the inning.

Spotting Balls

All balls pocketed on a foul shot and balls off table are spotted.

Penalty for Fouls

All balls pocketed on a foul shot are spotted. In addition, the fouler spots one of his previously pocketed balls or owes a ball to the table. Scratch or cue ball off table is ball-in-hand behind the headstring. For all other fouls opponent takes the table in position.

Three Foul Penalty

None.

Cleared Table

If the table is cleared without the shooter having won, due to owed balls from earlier penalties or delayed balls pocketed, all of the owed and delayed balls are spotted and the shooter continues at the table.

Strategy

Look for shots with object balls close to pockets. These balls are easy to make with combos, billiards, and kick shots. Any ball close to a pocket is also a candidate to carom another ball off. Look for caroms with any balls close together. As with any pool game, you don’t want to sell out. Never attempt a difficult shot when it will leave an easy score for your opponent. Don’t play safe when the table is tough. You might as well try to score. You won’t be leaving your opponent an easy shot.