How to play carrom? Don’t worry easy way to describe it

Introduction

Carrom originates from India. It is highly famous in the middle east Asia and around. Since it is an indoor game, you can play it in clubs, cafes, homes, etc.

A group of people usually play Carrom together, whether they are family, at a house party, or with friends. It grows day after day. You can also play Carrom in a more casual setting.

In recent years, the Carrom World Championships grabbed attention. 

Aim of Carrom

These days, indoor games mean playing on computers or mobile phones for young generations.

So, it has some significant objectives that help people.

1. If you show them games of your time, such as playing a Carrom board, you can change their attitude.
2. As you played with your siblings and enjoyed their company, you had a lot of fun. What is stopping you from teaching your children the same thing?
3. It will keep our youth healthy, and they will be delighted without having time to grasp its importance.
4. After studying for a long day, a teenager likes to play for fun for a long time.
5. Gameplay is a rescue for our young generation, and they eagerly await it.
6. As your children play the game of Carrom indoors, they will also learn to bond with younger and elder cousins, thus learning fairness and respect.
7. Organizing a family game night will also encourage our youth to play the game.

Pieces of equipment

In this digital age, a few pieces of equipment can give you pleasure in your spare time. Here is some of the equipment.

A) Carrom Board

It is standard to use a smooth wooden square of 72-74 cm for Carrom. The board has 51 mm round holes with a net in each corner.

Two lines running diagonally across the board are called “foul lines.” Two concentric circles occupy the center of the board.

The size of the central circle corresponds to the size of your game pieces. There are two parallel lines around the edge of the board. “Baselines” result from parallel lines running along the sides.

B) Carrom Pieces

In Carrom, the pieces are called Carrom Men. These little spherical pieces are composed of wood and plastic.

The game consists of nine black playing pieces, nine white playing pieces, a queen, and a striker. Alternatively, each player brings their striker or plays on one striker.

C) Striker

It plays a vital role in Carrom. Following the size and weight of the game pieces, the weight and radius of the striker are 15 grams and 8 cm, respectively.

A striker is typically heavier than game pieces. Strikers flick game pieces from a specific angle. With the help of a single striker, it is possible to win by dropping game pieces in the pocket.

A Striker with visible metal fixed to it shall not be allowed. Nice engravings are allowable on the striker.

D) Powder

Carrom powder is a necessary thing. It helps to play smoothly. Boards and game pieces are best suited to it. After applying this to the striker, it excellently re-bounces. Keep ensuring that the powder is not wet.

E) Stand

We mostly played it on a table or stands. It is common to have a table or stand 65-70cm from the floor. You shall place the Carrom Board on a flat surface that is not uneven or shaky.

F) Light

We should hang or install the light above the Carrom Board. We covered the lamp with a shed with metal cones. As a result, the light is entirely on the board. The bulb used should be between 60 and 100 watts.

H) Nets

In carroms, the net covers the bottom of the pocket. There must be a minimum capacity of 10 cm per net.

I) Chair

The chair is a piece of indirect equipment for players to sit on while playing. To play, the player shall sit on a stool or chair that is not less than 40.00 cm in height nor over 50.00 cm in height. The chair is armless in it.

Suggestions: You can reduce friction on your board by using boric powder to polish it. Queen is the most decisive piece of the game that determines whether you win or lose. 

How to Play Carrom

In the same way that we discussed what equipment is necessary to play carrom, we are now learning how to play carrom through proper use.

Game Set up of Carrom

Whenever you play Carrom, you need to use the Carrom board first.

As per its standard measurement, we need to install it first. Since I’ve already discussed some basics of the Carrom board, I hope you don’t mind.

Then all you have to do is collect the game pieces of two different colors.

Collect nine Carrom men of two colors. We also need a Red or Pink color queen.

Info: When you buy game pieces, there will be some extra game pieces in that box to use Emergence Purpose. For example, you lose the game pieces.

You will also need a striker. Which, of course, you can find in Carrom Men’s Box. You must buy an additional streak separately if you think you want another.

Next, we will use powder, a small thing but very effective in the game of Carrom.

It applies to the entire board. As well as the game pieces and striker so that the game can run smoothly. 

To move on to the next step, you need to place the queen in the center of the board.

“Queen here means the game pieces of Red or Pink color.“ In the center, place the smallest circle. Place the other white and black pieces across the queen in a large center area.

There are some strategies to sort black and white game pieces around a queen that we will know this time.

First, place the white piece diagonally across from the queen, facing the pocket where you want it to go. Using the queen as a center point, alternate the black and white pieces in a clockwise circle.

Then alternate placing black and white pieces clockwise until you have completed the outer area of the board.

There is some small equipment that we can’t ignore.

With the help of the stand, we can give support so that we do not face any difficulties. To make playing effortless, we will use lights and a net similarly.

The last but essential thing in the game of Carrom is the chair. Players sit on it and start playing. Then come to another point.

It is crucial to decide who will take the first strike?

As a player, you’ll hold a game piece in one hand. Your opponent must guess which hand covers the game piece.

After guessing correctly, the player has the choice of striking first or allowing you to strike first and “break.” If your opponent chooses the wrong hand, you have the chance to strike first or pass it.

You can also decide by flipping a coin.

Using Techniques & Play Shots

Every game has its strategy. Carrom also has its own. After following the complete steps above, you need to follow them.

Feel free to sit on your side of the board.

Position your hand on the board before shooting so that you can correctly see your shot. During the round, players must stay within their quadrant, defined by the diagonal lines on the board. Do not place your elbows on the board.

Make sure the striker is touching both baselines.

Parallel lines run along the side of your board, on which you play shots with your striker. You can place the striker anywhere between the baseline and the rectangle formed by the circle at the end.

Keep in your mind: A striker must touch both baselines. It is also forbidden for strikers to touch diagonal lines in corners.

Now, your gaming strategy makes sense.

You plan your strategy and use the striker to get the pieces you want.

Each player has a unique way of flicking the strike. You can use your index or middle finger. It is up to you which feels most comfortable.

Tips: You can hit a straight shot by touching the middle finger or index finger of your thumb behind the striker. You strike in such a way that the game pieces across the board are within your reach.

The thumb technique lets you shoot backward.

You must play the backward shot if the direction of the game piece is towards you. Using your thumb and index finger, apply pressure to flick.

You also apply different shots in the same situation. You can also flick by creating force through your thumb and middle finger.

Take the first turn to break the pieces.

A player of white color always strikes first. The player will use the striker and flick the carrom men into the arranged pieces, smashing the carrom men from the center.

Try to keep in your mind: If your striker does not leave both lines, replace it again and try again. You will have the opportunity to smash a maximum of three times.

In a doubles match with four players, the turn moves counter-clockwise.

Gaining points and winning

It is crucial to score points and win the game after devising strategies and implementing techniques. 

Make sure you have all the pieces you need to win.

If you pocket all your carrom men, you are the winner. Once you have cleared your carrom men from the board, collect one point for each piece remaining on the board. 

Keep in your mind: There will be a maximum of eight boards or 25 points, which comes first for the seniors. There will be a maximum of six boards or 21 points, whichever comes first for other than senior.

Be careful not to drop your opponent’s pieces.

You lose your turn if you drop the opponent’s pieces. Here, their piece stays in the pocket, which helps them win the game. When you pocket the last piece of your opponent, you lose the board and three points.

Count three points for a cover of the queen.

As we already know, the game piece of red or pink color is located in the center. When you put the queen in your pocket, you must put one of your game pieces in your pocket on the following turn. It is the COVER.

If you do not pocket a piece on the next turn, the queen will not be covered and will return to the center of the board. 

Keep in your head: When a piece is pocketed during the dropping of the queen, this counts as covering the queen. If you lose the board but pocket the queen, in this case, no queen points are countable.

After 22 points, covering the queen no longer earns points. 

Plan how you will cover the queen.

You cannot pocket the queen until you have first pocketed one of your pieces. To cover the queen with your last piece, you need to pocket the queen before pocketing your final piece.

Keep in your head: Before covering the queen, and dropping your last piece, you lose the board, three points, and one point for every piece left on your opponent’s board.

Drawbacks

If you foul or fail to pocket the piece, give the striker to the other player.

Your only goal during the game is to collect points and win the board. Whenever you fail to pocket a piece or pocket the opponent’s piece during your turn, your turn is over.

You lose one piece when you sink the striker at the end of your turn.

You lose your turn and one piece when you do not pocket one of your pieces, but drop the striker. Your opponent removes a piece from your pocket and places it back in the middle of the board.

Keep in your mind: As long as you have not pocketed a piece, it will end up in the center when you foul. When you lose both your carrom men and the striker, return your piece to the middle, so you will have another chance to play.

Last Word

There you go, everything you need to know about playing Carrom! It is all about the basic scenario of the play. Once you have understood the basics, get out on the court and play the game!

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Krishanu

My name is Krishanu Das the founder of the Sports Dribble.
I am Accountant by profession but a Sports Blogger by passion.
I am passionate about sharing my all knowledge and experiences of sports, with my readers and every sports enthusiast.

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