How to Play Carrom for Beginners

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Carrom is an interesting game similar to Billiards or Table Shuffleboard. However, instead of pool cues, you use your fingers and a striker. The game can be played by either two people (singles) or four people (doubles). The game is also known by other names around the world, including carrom, couronne, carum, karam, karom, karum, and finger billiards.

Part 1 of 3:

Setting Up the Board

The Carrom board should be positioned 60-70 centimeters (roughly 23 to 28 inches) above the ground. [1] X Research source
A circular hole sits in each of the board's four corners, and a net is placed under each hole to catch the pieces. [2] X Research source There are two foul lines on the board, and two concentric circles stand in the board's center. The center circle is the size of a playing piece, and the main circle is six times larger. Before beginning the game, the pieces are arranged in these circles.
There are also rectangles drawn on either side of the board. Each player has his or her own rectangle, and must shoot their strikers from these rectangles.

The white and black pieces are smooth, wooden pieces that look something like the ones used for the game checkers. In each round, you attempt to use your striker to knock these pieces into the board's pockets.
The red piece is called the queen, and it can be pocketed any time you want after sinking your first piece (the queen's function is similar to the black 8 ball in Billiards). If you have less than 24 points, the queen will add an additional 5 points to your score. If you have more than 24 points, you receive no additional points for pocketing the queen.

Position the remaining 12 pieces around the inner circle of six pieces. Make sure each outer piece must touch the inner circle. Alternate the color of the pieces. In other words, the circle should have one red piece, followed by a white piece, followed by a red piece, and so on.
You and your opponent should place your strikers in the rectangular boundaries on either end of the board.

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Beginning the Game

Sit opposite from each other. The game is often played as singles with two opponents, although sometimes people play Carrom in teams. At any rate, teams or players should sit opposite from one another. You and your partner, or your team and your partner's team, should take a seat at opposite ends of the board. You should each have your own rectangle from which to shoot your striker. [5] X Research source

The most commonly used grip is the straight grip. It may be easier to maneuver if you're new to carrom. You hold your hand palm side down and rest your fingertips very lightly on the carrom board. You would hold your index finger just behind the piece and make your shot by flicking your finger. For added control, hold the striker between your thumb and third finger to position it before flicking it.
The scissors shot is less commonly used, but you may find it more comfortable. You would place your hand sideways on the board, so your ring and pinky finger are pressed on the board. You would then hold your middle finger backwards with your index finger, so these two fingers are at a roughly perpendicular angle with your pinky and ring finger. It looks somewhat like a pair of scissors. A shot is made by releasing your middle finger, causing it to snap forward and hit the striker.

It's unlikely any player will get a piece in the pocket on the first shot. In the event this occurs, however, that player will continue to take turns until he or she fails to pocket a piece.
You must always return your striker to your rectangle before taking a new shot.

The object of carrom is to get all your pieces pocketed before you opponent does. You should also aim to pocket the red piece, sometimes referred to as the queen.
The red piece, or queen, can only be pocketed after you've pocketed a piece of your color.

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Completing the Game

Remember, you and your opponent take turns shooting your striker. You can only shoot your striker from within your rectangular boundary.
In the event you pocket a piece, you get to continue to play. You can shoot your striker again, and can continue to shoot your striker until you fail to pocket a piece.

You cannot pocket the queen until you've pocketed at least one piece in your color. In the event you pocket the queen before pocketing any pieces, you have not covered the queen. The queen will be returned to the center of the board.
If you pocket the queen after pocketing one of your own pieces, you have successfully covered the queen. The queen will not be returned to the board and you may receive points for the queen at the conclusion of the round.

If you accidentally pocket a striker, this is a foul. You will also receive a foul if you knock your striker or another piece off the board.
If you pocket an opponent's piece, this is a foul. In addition to having one of your pieces returned to the board, pocketing an opponent's piece comes with an additional penalty. If you pocketed and covered the queen earlier in the game, the queen is also returned to the board.
If you pocket your final piece before the queen has been pocketed, both the piece you pocketed and the penalty piece are returned to the board. In other words, two pieces are returned to the board in this case.
If you touch any piece besides your striker, this is a foul.

Continue playing a round until one player has pocketed all of his or her pieces. The first player to pocket their pieces wins the round, and is then awarded points. However, a round cannot end with the queen still on the board. The queen must have been pocketed and covered by one player for the round to conclude.

If you pocketed and covered the queen during the game, an additional 5 points are added to your score as long as your score is below 24. If you had 5 points based on your opponent's pieces, and you covered the queen, your score for the round is 10.
Points add up as you continue to win rounds. Once you reach 24 points total, you no longer get the additional 5 points for covering the queen.

For example, you score 12 points in the first round. Your opponent wins the next round, scoring 9 points. In the following round, you score 12 points again, giving you a score of 24.
In the fourth round, your opponent wins and scores 5 points, giving him or her a total score of 14 points. In the fifth round, you score 8 points. You have a score of 32, exceeding the 29 points you need to win. You have won this game of carrom.

Community Q&A

What happens when the stdiker falls into netholes? Community Answer This is a foul. One of your pieces will be returned to the board as a penalty.

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If I pot two pieces in one stroke, do I get two more turns, or just one? Community Answer You will only receive one additional turn.

What happens if the striker goes into a pocket? Or, if the striker follows a card on into a pocket? Community Answer

If the striker goes into a pocket, the already pocketed piece is placed back on the board anywhere in the central circle by the opponent.

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Patience is important for playing Carrom. You have to keep your mind cool despite making a foul or missing a piece. Do not get frustrated. Pocket the piece by giving full attention and 100% concentration.

When first playing the game, have patience. It may take a very long time to play the game, as you and your opponent may struggle to pocket pieces. After you get the hang of carrom, games will be quicker and more exciting.

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