Carrom is one of the most popular indoor games in South Asia. Found in homes, schools, clubs, and tea shops across India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and beyond, Carrom is a game of precision, strategy, and skill. If you have never played Carrom before — or want to sharpen your game — this complete guide will take you from absolute beginner to confident player.
Carrom is a tabletop board game played on a square wooden board. Players use a heavy disc called the "striker" to flick lighter discs called "carrom men" (or coins) into corner pockets. The game can be played by 2 players (one vs one) or 4 players (two teams of two). The objective is to pocket all your carrom men before your opponent does.
Carrom combines elements of pool/billiards, shuffleboard, and marbles. It is simple enough for children to enjoy, yet deep enough that professional tournaments are held at the national and international level — with the International Carrom Federation overseeing competitions in over 30 countries.
Pocket all 9 of your carrom men (black or white) before your opponent. Pocket the Queen for bonus points.
Pieces are arranged in a circle in the centre of the board. Toss a coin to decide who plays first and chooses black or white.
Place the striker on the baseline. Flick it with your finger to hit carrom men into the pockets.
If you pocket a carrom man of your colour, you get another turn. If you pocket the striker, it is a foul.
Pocket the Queen (red piece), then immediately pocket one of your own pieces to "cover" it. Earn 3–5 bonus points.
Pocketing the striker, pocketing an opponent's piece, or shooting from wrong position = foul. Return one of your pocketed pieces to board.
There are several ways to hold and flick the striker. As a beginner, start with these two:
Rest the tip of your index finger on the edge of the striker. Bend your finger slightly and release it forward with a snapping motion. This gives you good control and is the most common technique used by players in India. Keep your wrist steady and follow through in the direction you want to shoot.
Place your thumb on the board for support. Coil your middle finger behind your thumb and release it like a spring to strike. This technique generates more power and is often used for long-distance shots or when you need force to break up clusters of pieces. It takes more practice to control accurately.
The simplest shot — aim the striker directly at a carrom man and flick it straight into a pocket. Works best when a carrom man is close to a pocket with a clear path. Most beginners rely heavily on direct shots.
Use the side of the board to angle the striker. Aim the striker at a side of the board so it bounces off and hits a carrom man from a different angle. Excellent for pocketing pieces that are behind other pieces or near the sides of the board. Mastering angles is key to advanced Carrom play.
A powerful shot using the middle finger, ideal for long-distance shots across the board or for breaking up clusters of pieces at the start. Generates more speed but is harder to aim accurately. Practice on a clear board before using it in a competitive situation.
Hit one carrom man so it slides and hits another one, pocketing the second piece. This is called a "carom" shot (which is where the game gets its name). Doubles can pocket pieces that are not directly accessible and is a key skill for advanced players.
Hit the striker backward off the back line and use the back board to pocket a piece on your side. This advanced shot surprises opponents and opens up pocketing opportunities behind your baseline. Requires excellent control and is typically used by intermediate and advanced players.
Standard scoring rules:
🏆 Pro Tip: Always try to pocket the Queen early in the game, then cover it immediately with one of your pieces. This guarantees you the Queen bonus and puts psychological pressure on your opponent.
Put these techniques to the test — play Carrom online right now, no download needed.
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