Honduran Pool, Rotation through the 9

My instructor, Tony "El Maestro" Sorto, taught me this very challenging multi-player game of rotation pool played almost exclusively in his native Honduras.

The balls are set up as shown, one ball on foot spot, and the rest in ascending order placed frozen at the diamonds, as shown. Each ball is worth its number in points (15 ball worth 15 points, 3 ball worth 3, etc). Sixty one points wins the game, or highest score if more than two are playing. There is no safety play. If you miss your ball, that value is deducted from your score. If you hit the wrong ball, that value is deducted. If a scratch in the pocket, then must shoot forward from the headstring (as in straight pool). If table scratch, then leave cue ball in position.

The opening shot on the one-ball is a soft spot shot, with the cue ball gently dislodging the 3-ball, which, after sinking the 2-ball, allows a draw off the 3 into the 5, and leaving position on the 4. The 5 can then go into the side, or far corner(s) and get position on the 6. The game tests all your skills, especially banks, multi-rail positioning, nudging balls, etc. The 7 ball is almost always banked, one way or the other. It's rare to play the 7-8-9 combination, but can be done. Once you get past the 9, position on the 10, 11, and 12 are relatively straightforward because the opposite rail is now clear. Trouble comes again with the 13, 14, and 15. One strategy is to try to dislodge the 15 when playing the 2 ball (or when playing the 4-ball, as shown), so that the 13/14 combo can be played, otherwise it's back to banking one or more of the remaining balls.

It is one of my goals to run the table, on video. This is as far I have run so far, and if I hadn't flubbed the position on the 10 ball off the 8, I could possibly have run the table because getting on the 11 and 12 is somewhat easy, and since I had already kicked the 15 off the rail, the 13-14 combo would pass, and the rest is cleanup...

One of these days, I'll do it, and post it here, and then I may just hang up my cue forever.

Video shot on location at FastMikie's Fun House, Del Mar, CA

For more, visit http://poolshooter.blogspot.com

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• billiards
• rotation
• fastmikie
• honduran
• pool
• honduras

[anarchy892003]

so are combinations like the nine off the eight legal in this game? im going to add this to my practice games. looks very challenging

[fastmikie69]

Yes, combinations are legal, you just need to hit the lowest numbered ball first.

[zorac91]

yeah, everyone here in honduras play this type of rotation. Some bars have the tables ready like this (even lacking a triangle). I personally dislike it, I prefer 9-ball or straight pool.

[MilltowneMike]

hmm i see nothing but mexicans playing this at our pool hall

[KiNGBird21]

It looks to me like you jumped up on the eight ball. Perhaps if u stayed down on the shot you may have given your self a better leave on the ten ball. But still a very nice run.

[M0nsieurX]

I learned it in Ecuador for your exclusiveness... also played in philipines i believe... Love the game!

[elsailor23]

You forgot to add that whoever makes 61 points first wins...

[bushputz]

That looks incredibly difficult - I will have to incorporate it into my set of drills.

Best wishes on completing your run.

[joeygonzo]

INCREDIBLE!

Level of difficulty is way way up there.

props

thnx