A "HO" is when someone attempts to shoot you on the initial merge, assuming the initial "merge" isn't in the middle of a furball. This means that if either opponent opens up on a merge, even if they're no longer nose to nose (i.e., one plane attempts to roll out or otherwise avoid the HO), it's still a HO. After the initial merge, there is no HO.
A "merge," for our discussion, is when two aircraft point their noses at each other, from a considerable distance, and close toward each other in an obvious attempt to engage each other. If one is in the middle of a furball, there is no merge. Though you might come nose to nose with an opponent durring a furball, don't expect him/her to hold the trigger, and don't complain if he/she doesn't.
