How to Play Carom: Basic Rules for Beginners

Carom (also spelled carrom) is a favourite indoor game across Pakistan. It's easy to learn and endlessly competitive. Here are the basic rules to get you started; many families have their own variations, so agree yours before the first strike.

The board and pieces

• A square board with a pocket in each corner.
• 9 white coins, 9 black coins and 1 red queen, set up in the centre.
• A striker, a heavier disc you flick to hit the coins.
• A little carom powder helps everything glide smoothly.

Players

Carom is played by two players, or four in two teams with partners sitting opposite each other.

Taking a shot

• Place the striker on your baseline (the two lines in front of you) so it touches both lines or sits inside the circle at each end, depending on your board's markings.
• Flick it with your finger to hit the coins.
• If you pocket one of your own coins, you shoot again. If not, it's the next player's turn.

The queen

• The red queen can be pocketed by either side.
• After pocketing the queen, you must cover it by pocketing one of your own coins on your next shot. If you don't, the queen goes back to the centre.

Common fouls

• Pocketing the striker.
• Pocketing an opponent's coin (in many house rules).
• The striker leaving the board.

After a foul, a pocketed coin of yours usually goes back to the centre. Agree the penalty before you start.

Winning

The first player or team to pocket all their coins (with the queen covered, if you play that rule) wins the board.

What you need

A carom board, a coins and striker set, and carom powder. See our carom collection.