Steps to Play Carrom Board Game For Beginners and Experts

Are you new to the game of Carrom? No worries, we’ve got you covered with a detailed guide on how to play Carrom. Players use their striker to push the carrom men into any of the four corner pockets, aiming to collect all their carrom men before their opponents to win the game. To master the game, it’s also helpful to learn some carrom tricks, which can give you an edge over your competitors.

Carrom has grown in popularity, with many clubs hosting competitions and tournaments, making it a competitive sport. Additionally, you can now play on a carrom board online, bringing the classic game right to your screen. But it’s not just for pros—Carrom can also be enjoyed casually with family at social events or with friends. So, if you’re wondering how to play Carrom or looking for tips on carrom game how to play, this guide will help you get started!

What does a Carrom board look like?

A Carrom board is a large wooden board, typically available in standard carrom board size, with circular holes at each of the four corners. A net is placed under each hole to catch the carrom men. Each side of the Carrom board features two parallel lines with a small circle at the ends of these lines. Additionally, the board has two concentric circles at the center, which is the main playing area.

How to Play Carrom Board Game For Beginners

Got a family gathering coming up where you’ll be playing Carrom, but you’re a beginner with questions like “how do you play Carrom?” or “how to play Carrom for beginners”? No need to stress! Just keep these key tips in mind during your carrom play, and you’ll be ready to enjoy the game with confidence.

1. Understand the Setup

Before learning how to play Carrom game, it’s essential to understand the setup. Now let’s talk about how many coins are in a Carrom board. In total, there are 20 game pieces in Carrom:

• 18 Carrommen: Carrommen are circular pieces of wood or any other material colored in light and dark colors. Generally, the Carrommen are colored in black and white.
• 1 Queen: which is the red-colored circular piece. It is considered the most valuable piece in Carrom.
• 1 Striker: which is a circular piece that is used to push the Carrommen and the Queen across the board to the pocket.

Now if you’re wondering how to arrange Carrom coins, you must know that to start the game, coins are arranged in the center of the board in a specific pattern. Place the red queen at the center, surrounded alternately by black and white coins in a compact circle. 

2. Choose a Side and Striker

Before learning how to play Carrom game, it’s essential to understand the setup, including how many coins are in a Carrom board. There are a total of 19 coins on the board: 9 white, 9 black, and 1 red (the queen). 

Now if you’re wondering how to arrange Carrom coins, you must know that to start the game, coins are arranged in the center of the board in a specific pattern. Place the red queen at the center, surrounded alternately by black and white coins in a compact circle. Choosing a comfortable striker that suits your playing style is also important, as it helps you control your shots better. Players usually decide sides by a toss or mutual agreement.

3. Start with the Carrom Break

The game begins with the Carrom Break, an essential part of understanding how do you play Carrom board game. The player who starts needs to use the striker to break the formation of the carrom men arranged at the center of the board. According to Carrom rules, the aim is to make a strong yet controlled shot to evenly disperse the carrom men across the board. A successful break can significantly increase your chances of pocketing your pieces early.

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4. Aim to Pocket Your Carrom Men

The main objective in Carrom is to pocket all your carrom men (either black or white) before your opponent does. When learning how Carrom is played, focus on aiming and flicking your striker to push your Carrom men into the corner pockets. Whether you’re using a carrom board for kids or adults, focus on aiming and flicking your striker to push your carrom men into the corner pockets. 

Use angles and rebounds off the sides of the board to increase your accuracy. Keep an eye on your opponent’s carrom men too, as blocking their shots can be an effective strategy.

5. Scoring Points

Scoring in Carrom depends on the carrom men and the queen you pocket. Each carrom man is worth 1 point. The queen, which is the red carrom man, is worth 5 points. But, it must be properly covered by pocketing a carrom man of your color immediately after. If the queen is not covered, it goes back to the center. No points are awarded in that case.

The game continues until all carrom men are pocketed. To win, players need to reach at least 25 points or the score limit set before the game. If you’re learning how to play carrom board games, focus on precision and strategy. Wondering what is the highest score in Carrom? The highest score typically depends on multiple rounds. In a single round, 29 is the maximum if the queen is captured and covered. 

6. Capture the Queen

The queen is known as the most powerful piece in Carrom, making it a crucial target when learning how to play Carrom board game. The “red rule in Carrom” requires that once you pocket the queen, you must cover it with one of your own carrom men in the same turn using the carrom striker. If you don’t cover the queen, it returns to the center of the board. 

Understanding which is the most powerful piece in Carrom and mastering this rule can greatly improve your strategy and increase your chances of winning the game.

7. Continue Alternating Turns

Carrom is played in turns. Each player gets a chance to strike. When learning how to play Carrom with 4 players, it’s important to follow the turn sequence. If a player pockets a carrom man or the queen, they get another turn. If not, the turn passes to the next player. Keep a steady rhythm. 

Stay focused during your turn. Alternating turns keeps the game dynamic. It adds an element of strategy. You must constantly adjust. The positions of the carrom men change frequently. This is especially true when playing with multiple players.

8. Follow the Rules for Fouls

While playing the carrom board game, it’s important to be careful and avoid committing fouls, as they incur penalties. Understanding the fouls in carrom board rules can help you play the game more effectively.

When a foul occurs, your turn ends immediately, and a penalty is imposed. As a penalty, one of your pocketed pieces is returned to the board and placed by your opponent anywhere within the main circle. Your opponent will strategically position the carrom men to gain an advantage.

Fouls can be committed in various situations:

• Pocketing the Striker.
• Pocketing an opponent’s piece.
• A piece leaving the board.
• Your final piece is being pocketed before covering the Queen.
• Incorrectly positioning the striker before taking a shot.
• Crossing the diagonal line on the board with your arm.
• Failing to break correctly after three attempts.
• Having no pocketed pieces.

If a penalty is incurred but no pocketed pieces to return, the penalty remains owed until a piece becomes available. When a penalty is owed, and a piece is pocketed, the opponent places it at the center at the end of the turn. However, if the opponent forgets to do so before the start of the next turn, any owed penalties are lost.

9. Winning the Game

To win the carrom game, be the first to pocket all your carrom men, along with the queen, if possible. Points are calculated based on the carrom men pocketed and any additional points from capturing the queen. 

The player with the highest score at the end of all rounds is declared the winner. If you’re wondering how do you play Carrom or looking for tips on carrom game how to play, focus on keeping your shots accurate, stay strategic, and make the most of each turn to secure a victory in Carrom!

How to Play Carrom Online Like a Pro

Playing Carrom online can be a fun way to enjoy this classic game without needing a physical board. It’s also one of the popular money earning games without investment, making it perfect for those looking to have fun and earn rewards. Whether you’re a beginner or aiming to step up your game, here’s a guide on how to play Carrom online like pro.

1. Choose a Carrom Game App

The first step is to choose a reliable carrom board app that suits your style and skill level. Look for carrom board apps with good reviews, smooth gameplay, and features like multiplayer modes or tournaments. 

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2. Create an Account

Once you’ve chosen your app, the next step is to create an account. This usually involves providing an email address or signing in through social media. Some apps also offer guest modes, but creating an account can unlock more features and allow you to save your progress. Setting up your account is a quick process and helps you personalize your gaming experience.

3. Select Game Mode

Most carrom board apps offer multiple game modes, such as single-player, multiplayer, or challenge modes. Choose a mode that matches your skill level and interest. If you’re new, start with the practice mode to get the hang of it. For those wondering how to play carrom, competitive modes can offer a real challenge and help improve your skills faster.

4. Learn the Controls

Before diving into a game, take some time to learn the controls. Online carrom uses touch or mouse controls to aim and strike. Familiarize yourself with how to adjust the striker’s position, set the aim, and control the force of your shots. Understanding these controls is crucial to performing well in online matches. Practice using the controls in a few trial games to build confidence.

5. Start the Game with a Break

The game begins with a break. This is your first shot aimed at dispersing the carrom men from their starting position in the center of the board. A good break can give you an early advantage. It spreads out the coins and can make it easier to pocket them in subsequent turns. Remember, a precise and strategic break is key to setting the tone for the rest of the game.

6. Alternate Turns to Pocket the Coins

The essence of how to play carrom game lies in pocketing your carrom men while alternating turns with your opponent. Use your turns wisely to aim and strike. Your goal is to pocket your coins while also blocking your opponent’s moves. Patience and strategy are important as you navigate through the game. Use angles and rebounds to pocket your carrom men efficiently.

7. Pocket the Queen

Pocketing the queen is a crucial part of the game. To capture the queen, you need to pocket it and cover it with one of your carrom men in the same turn. This move can earn you extra points and give you a strategic advantage. However, failing to cover the queen means it will be placed back at the center. Focus on precise shots when targeting the queen.

8. Follow Game Rules for Fouls

Every app includes specific rules for fouls. Common fouls include pocketing the striker, failing to cover the queen, or disturbing the board with your hands. Each foul has a penalty, which could mean losing a turn or returning a pocketed carrom man to the board. Understanding and following these rules will help you play without unnecessary setbacks.

9. Win the Game

The objective is to pocket all your carrom men before your opponent, including the queen, if possible. Points are awarded based on the number of coins pocketed and the queen’s capture. To win, maintain focus, play strategically, and use the game rules to your advantage.

Learning how to play carrom online involves not just skill, but also understanding when to be aggressive and when to play defensively. Plus, with carrom board apps offering online game cash withdrawal options, you can enjoy the thrill of winning real cash while mastering your game!

By following these steps and practicing regularly, you’ll be well on your way to mastering how to play carrom online. 

FAQs About How to Play Carrom Board Game