Carrom Rules & Regulations

The object of the game is to flick a striker to hit and pocket a playing piece. The pieces can be pocketed into any pocket. Depending on which game is being played, either some or all of the playing pieces are legitimate targets.

 

Code of conduct:

 

The following list is by no means exhaustive, but represents the spirit in which the game of Carrom should be played. Enjoy the game, the competition, the winning, but above all play with fairness, dignity and respect.

  • Carrom should always be played with 'good spirit' and with respect for your opponent/s.
  • Always shake hands with your opponent/s before and after a match.
  • Always shake hands with the referee and the marker before and after a match.
  • It is not etiquette to concede in Carrom; even if you have no hope of winning, carry on and play your best.
  • Never move around in your opponent's site of vision when he/she is taking a strike.
  • If have lost a match, then take defeat graciously; your turn to win will come.
  • Do not make noise whilst your opponent is at the table.
  • Applaud your opponent if he/she deserves it, such as making a nice break.
  • Do not show too much emotion after winning; remember your opponent has lost.
  • Welcome new players into the game and make them feel comfortable.
  • If you ask the referee for something, perhaps for the rest or to get the cookies  cleaned, remember to say please and thank you
  • If you miss a shot, do not keep your hands at the Carrom board. Away it quietly and let your opponent get to the board.
  • If you make a difficult shot, do not show too much emotion, get on with the game.
  • There is no shame in potting your opponent's white. Get on with it if it is the right shot and do not apologies.
  • Respect the cloth and the table. Do not 'rough up' the cloth with your bridge hand. Do not slam cookies or rests.
  • Wait for your opponent/s to leave the carrom board table before getting to the game.
  • Swearing is not appropriate to the game of carrom board.
  • If your opponent is late for the game, welcome him/her and make him/her feel comfortable. If you are entitled to claim the game yet have sufficient time to play it, then get on with it. The game is more important than winning.
  • Do not apologies for a fluke. Raising your hand to acknowledge the stroke is sufficient.
  • Adhere to the dress code for the match.
  • Play at a proper pace throughout the match, even if you are in front in the last minute of the game.
  • After a match, stay around for a few minutes. Some spectators may have travelled a long way to see the match and a few words cost nothing.
  • Do not pace up and down when your opponent is at the carrom table.
  • Do not practice your cue action on table whilst your opponent is at the table.
  • Refrain from hitting the cookies hard in frustration.
  • Declare a foul, even if the referee did not see it.
  • If the referee does not see your opponent's cannon, yet you do, mention it.
 

Requirements:

 

  • Carrom board

  • 9 white pieces

  • 9 black pieces

  • 1 red piece (the queen)

  • 1 striker

 

Play Preparation:

 
  • Set up the playing cookies (pieces) in the centre of the board, as above.

  • Players must stay seated throughout the game.

  • Decide which player is to take the first shot (or break). The break then alternates or rotates from player to player.

 

The Striker:

 
  • The striker is larger than the playing pieces but must be able to fit in the pockets. The striker is used to strike the playing pieces.
  • Most often, you will want to strike a playing piece into one of the pockets but you may want to make your opponents next shot more difficult.
  • Position the striker on the double line immediately in front of you (this is the carrom bed or the baseline). The striker must be touching both lines.
  • The striker must be flicked, usually using the index finger, middle finger or thumb. Moving the hand is not allowed so the striker must not be pushed.
  • After a shot, when all of the pieces have stopped moving the player who is next to shoot retrieves the striker from wherever it is and positions it on his/hers carrom bed. A strike may only be taken from the carrom bed.
  • Remember to keep your finger really close to the striker, then it will not hurt when you flick it and all of the power of your flick will go into the striker!
 

Money Carrom:

Number of Players: 2, 3 or 4

Duration: 20 minutes

Players Aged: 7+

This is the easiest of carrom games to learn. It is particularly good for new players because all of the playing pieces are potential targets.

After the break, play passes in a clockwise direction. If several games are to be played, the breaking shot should also rotate in a clockwise direction.

To win simply pocket as many pieces as you can to accumulate the highest score:

A white piece = 1 point
B black piece = 2 points
C the red piece = 5 points

After you pocket a piece either:

  • collect that piece and hold on to it until the end of the game
  • keep score using pencil and paper
  • keep score using a score board
  • try to remember the score (not recommended)If you pocket a piece you get another go and you keep going until you fail to pocket a piece.

If you pocket the striker then you miss a turn.You can apply penalties for a number of foul shots but these should be agreed before starting a game. Apply these with due consideration to the players age, experience and whether the game is being played for fun or real money. See “foul shots” under the club carrom rules below. When all playing pieces have been pocketed, shake hands with all of your opponents, calculate the final score and offer the winner your heartiest congratulations.

Club Carrom

Number of Players: 2 or 4

Duration: 20 minutes

Players Aged: 10+

In club carrom you are required to pocket only pieces of your colour, either black or white.

Two players sit opposite each other. Four players play as two teams each sitting opposite your partner.

White always breaks.

Pieces may be pocketed in any pocket.

The striker must be played forward from the carrom bed. Pieces on or behind the baseline may only be played indirectly, by rebounding the striker off one or more sides of the frame. (See Back Shots below.) The Queen
in club carrom the red playing piece, the queen, has additional rules and restrictions.

  • The queen cannot be the first piece to be pocketed, you must have pocketed at least one piece before you can go for the queen.
  • Either player may pocket the queen
  • After you pocket the queen you must pocket one of your own pieces into any pocket on the next shot. This is called “covering the queen”.
  • If you fail to cover the queen it is returned to the centre spot and becomes available for either player to pocket.
  • The queen cannot be left until last
  • The queen is worth 5 bonus points (the queens premium) but to earn these points you must: pocket the queen; cover the queen and win the game.

Carrom Scores

A game is usually played to 29 points. With a maximum of 14 points on the table, a game may require the board to be set up at least three times, often more.

  • The score is only counted at the end of a “board”
  • Only the winner of that “board” scores any points
  • The winner scores one point for each of the opponents pieces left on the board
  • The winner scores a 5 point bonus (the queens premium) if s/he pocketed and covered the queen.

Foul Shots

Foul shots can result from accidental, reckless or vindictive play and involves payment of a penalty if they occur. There are a number of foul shots for which penalties may be applied:

  • pocketing the striker
  • pocketing an opponents piece
  • pocketing the last piece before the queen
  • pocketing an opponents last piece before the queen
  • making any piece or striker leave the table.

The penalty for any of these events is for one piece already pocketed to be returned to play. The fouling piece is also returned to play with the opponent being able to place any returned or penalty pieces anywhere in the central circle. If a foul shot occurs before any pieces have been pocketed then a “due” is owed and must be paid as soon as possible.

 

Other illegal shots

Other shots that may be deemed illegal and could incur a penalty or even worse, disqualification are:

  • pushing the striker
  • striking with any part of the body straddling a “foul line”
  • striking from an illegal position - (also see “Cut Moon”);
  • standing up
  • striking backwards from the carrom bed (see “Back shots”)

Back shots:

Many versions of the game allow back shots. This usually makes for a quicker game. Back shots are best executed using the thumb which keeps the body within the foul lines.


Cut Moon:
The circles at each end of the carrom bed may not be partially covered. The striker must cover it completely or not at all.


Timings:

08.00 AM to 10.00 AM: For All (No Guests)
10.00 AM to 12.30 Noon: For Members, Member's wife & Adult Guests. (No Children)
02.00 Noon to 06.00 PM: For All (No Guests)
06.00 PM to 07.00 PM: For Members, Member's wife & Adult Guests.

Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays:
07.00 AM to 12.30 AM: For All (No Restriction)
02.00 Noon to 07.00 PM: As Usual

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