Carrom, which is also called carroms, is a tabletop game that started in India in the late 1800s. It is played on a square board with a small pocket in each corner and a larger pocket in the middle. The goal of the game is to score points by putting small disks called “carrom men” into the pockets.
Carrom is thought to have come from a version of billiards, and British soldiers brought it to India. The game became very popular very quickly and became a standard in homes and clubs all over the country.
You need a carrom board, carrom men, and a striker to play carrom. Most of the time, two or four people play the game. The players take turns hitting the carrom men with the striker, trying to sink as many of their own pieces as possible and keeping their own pieces from being sunk by their opponents.
To play carrom, do the following:
Organize the board: Place the carrom men in the middle of the board, with the pieces for one player on one side and the pieces for the other player on the other side.
Choose the first player. This can be done by flipping a coin or agreeing on a method ahead of time.
Take turns: The first player hits the carrom men with the striker, trying to sink as many of their own pieces as possible. If they do well, they keep playing. If they miss, it’s the end of their turn and the next player’s turn.
When a player sinks one of their own pieces, they get a point. You can also get points by sinking your opponent’s pieces. Sinking the queen gives you the most points (a larger, colored carrom man).
The game is over when all of the carrom men are sunk or when a certain number of points have been scored.
Carrom is a fun and easy game that people of all ages can enjoy. You can play with friends, family, or by yourself. It’s a great way to kill time and get better at coordinating your hands and eyes.