CARROM

Carrom is a family of tabletop games sharing a similarity in that their mechanics lie somewhere between billiards and table shuffleboard. The game is known by other names around the world, including carrum, couronne, carum, karam, karom, karum, fatta ( Punjabi ) and finger billiards. According to some sources, the game is thought to have originated in India. Formal rules for the game were published only by 1988. The game and its variants are played in many countries across the world. Carrom employs simple equipment enabling a wider player-base. Variants of Carrom that employ cue sticks also exist.

The ICF promulgates International Rules of Carrom (also termed 'The Laws of Carrom.') ICF acts as the  governing body of carrom. The organisation also ranks players, sanctions tournaments and presents awards. ICF has many national affiliates such as the All-India Carrom Federation, Australian Carrom Federation, UK Carrom Association and United States Carrom Association. 


Order of play is determined by the process of "calling the carrom-men" or, simply, "the toss". Before commencing each match, a umpire hides one black and one white carrom-man in his hands. The players must guess which color carrom-men are being held in each hand. The player who guesses correctly wins the toss. The winner of the toss must either choose to strike first or to change sides (from white to black) and give up the opening break. No option to pass this decision to the other player is available. If the player chooses to strike, the loser can change sides, but if the winner chooses to change sides the loser must strike first. The player taking the first shot (or break) gets to play white. The opponent plays black. In a doubles event, the team winning the toss has the choice, as above. Once the players are seated, they may not interchange. This seating order continues throughout the match.

The aim of the game is to pot (or pocket) one's own nine carrom men before one's opponent pots his/hers. It is necessary that the 'Queen' must be pocketed before pocketing a player's final carrom man. Any player pocketing the 'Queen' is required it cover it by pocketing a carrom man of his/her chosen color. The player is allowed to shoot with any finger, including the thumb (known as "thumbing" or a "thumb shot"). Crossing the diagonal lines on the board by coming in touch with it, or pocketing the Striker is a Foul. A player committing a foul must return one carrom-man that was already pocketed. If a player pockets his Striker, he has to pay a penalty. This penalty is usually 10 points.

Point Carrom is a variant that is popular with children or an odd number of players. Game play is as described above with a variation. Players are allowed to pocket carrom men of any color. Carrom men of one color are assigned 1 point and the other color are assigned 2 points. The red Queen is assigned 5 points. Pocketing the Queen must be followed by pocketing another carrom man on the same or subsequent strike. The first player to reach 17 points is declared the winner. If no player reaches 17 points, the player with the highest points is declared the winner. If the scores are tied, a tie-breaker must be played. Players who are tied (in points) select a color. They are allowed to pocket carrom men of an alternate color only on rebound.