Carrom FAQ

Download the Rules here.

How is a carrom board played?

Two, three or four people can play. In singles, your opponent sits across from you; in doubles, you play opposite your partner. With three, you can play for points (blacks count one, whites count two, the queen counts five.)

How to arrange the pieces on the board

Line up the double whites to aim 'dead-on' into a corner pocket.

Starting play

Whoever plays first, or breaks, is always white. The object of the game is to sink all of your pieces, using the heavier 'striker', in any of the pockets before your opponent. Your turn continues as long as you keep sinking your pieces - luck shots count and all combinations are permitted.

The striker

When placing the striker on the board to shoot, the striker must touch both 'base lines', either covering the red circle completely, or not touching it at all. The striker may not touch the diagonal arrow line.

Shooting styles

Shooting styles are very personal - whichever 'grip' works for you is fine as long as you 'flick' the striker and don't push it. Generally, it's best to orient your body in order to see the line of your aim while shooting comfortably; you may not move or leave your chair.

For forward shots, you can use your index finger, middle finger, or even the 'scissors' shot (right).

Tip on technique: Before shooting, try touching the striker with your fingernail, to be sure that it's really on line. This will improve your accuracy and prevent you from hurting your finger.

For 'back-shots' you may only use your thumb or the scissors technique.

No part of your body, except your hand, may cross the imaginary diagonal line (wrong in illustration) nor may your elbow protrude over the frame in front of you. Even your feet or knees my not leave your quadrant.

The queen

The red piece, or 'queen,' can be pocketed at any time after sinking your first piece but must be sunk before your last one. After pocketing the queen, you must sink one of your pieces, thereby 'covering' it, into any pocket in the next shot, or she is returned to the center spot.

Once the queen is covered, whoever clears their pieces first wins the 'board'.

Scoring

The winner of a board collects one point for each of the opponent's pieces left at the finish and three points for the queen if covered by the winner (if covered by the loser, no-one gets those points). No more points are collected for the queen after your score reaches 22.

A game consists of 25 points or eight boards, whichever comes first.

Miscellaneous Rules

  • Sinking the striker costs you one piece and your turn. But, if you sink a piece in the same shot, then two come up and you shoot again.
  • After sinking the striker, your opponent places the due piece(s) within the center circle. If you haven't sunk one yet, you owe one.
  • If while shooting for the queen you also sink one of your pieces, the queen is automatically covered, no matter which went first.
  • If a piece jumps off the board, it is placed on the center spot. If pieces land on end or are overlapping, they are left that way.
  • If the center spot is partially covered when replacing the queen or a jumped piece, the piece should cover as much red as possible. If totally covered, the piece is placed opposite the next player behind the red spot.
  • If you sink your opponent's piece, you lose your turn. If you sink their last piece, you lose the board and three points.
  • If you sink your last piece before the queen, you lose the board, three points and one point for each of your opponent's pieces left.
  • If the striker does not leave both lines, go again. You get three tries to break before losing your turn.

How is a carrom board is made?

You can see how a DIY wood worker has constructed his own board! 

How many coins are played in carrom?

There are a total of 18 black and natural coins on a carom board. Nine coins are natural in color and the other nine coins are black in color. The natural coins are also referred to as unstained coins. There is one red coin called "the queen".`

How do you aim the initial shot in Carrom?

If you bounce the striker on the opponents edge first during the break most pieces will end up closer to your side and easier to pot.

How is a carrom striker is made?

There are not many very good videos on how to make a carrom striker, but here is an interesting video we found on how to make a carrom striker:

Where can I get a good quality carrom striker?

A good carrom striker should be no more than 4.13cm in diameter. Carrom Canada sells carrom strikers that measure this size. Our strikers also weigh either 14 or 15 grams, which is the perfect weight for a carrom striker. The height of a good carrom striker is 7mm.

Here is a couple pictures of the strikers we sell. Each striker we send out has a different design, so you may get something that has a different design but it will be of the same construction and material as pictured.

The key to a good carrom striker is how smooth it is. 


15 Gram, 4.13cm by 7mm Carrom Striker


15 Gram, 4.13cm by 7mm Carrom Striker


15 Gram, 4.13cm by 7mm Carrom Striker sold by Carrom Canada

 

About Carrom Canada

Carrom Canada sells a wide range of Carrom Boards and Accessories including their own line of Carrom Boards - Cherry Carrom Board, Australian Lacewood & Walnut Carrom Board, African Sapele Carrom Board, and Wenge & Walnut Carrom Board. We sell carrom accessories including Carrom Carrying Cases, Coins, Strikers, Powder, and Stands. Visit our website at www.carrom.ca. Our store address is 5 Industrial Road, St.Marys, Ontario, Canada. N4X1A1. We also sell Crokinole Boards through Crokinole Canada at www.crokinole.com and www.crokinoleboards.com.