Hula (2024)

Hula is a game where players aim to form a loop around the center of a regular hexagonal board, using their own stones and, possibly, some number of neutral stones. The recommended board size is 6, though 5 or 7 can be used for a quicker or a longer game. The pie rule may be used for balance. Rules Play on a regular hexagonal board with the center cell marked and blocked. Passing is not allowed. On your turn, place a stone of your colour on any free space, but: If your placement would connect the center cell with the edge through a monocoloured group (so not counting neutral stones), place a neutral stone instead. The first player to form a loop around the center cell with stones of their colour, possibly including some neutral stones, wins. If both loops are created at the same time (through the placement of a neutral stone), the player with the shortest loop wins. If the loops are equally long, the player whose loop contains fewer neutrals wins. If this is also equal, the second player wins. —description from the designer